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SOUTH PORTLAND — A Leavitt Area High School football player has been named a defensive lineman finalist for the 2017 Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards — the largest high school scholarship of its kind in the country, according to a news release.
The annual awards are presented to players who epitomize character, leadership and perseverance. The selection committee chooses award winners based on their strong leadership on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
Jeff Kane, retired president of National Distributors Inc. and Gaziano’s son-in-law, said the finalists were chosen from 13 semi-finalists and consist of three senior offensive linemen and three senior defensive linemen representing a range of high schools across the state. The finalists were named Jan. 9 after the selection committee interviewed each of the semi-finalists to determine the finalists.
Aiden Parmenter, a senior at Leavitt, is involved in AP courses and several extra-curricular activities, including the Latin Club, Key Club, Outing Club and Environmental Resources Club, and in addition to football, is a member of the track and field and Certamen teams. After sitting out portions of the 2016 season with a severe back injury, he returned in 2017 as team captain and earned recognition as an All-Star in the Campbell Conference and was named to the 2017 KVAC First Team in 2017. He has participated in many community events, including the Dempsey Challenge, Hornet Pride Camp, TAA Boosters and Breakfast with Santa event.
The offensive state finalists are Cole Hoffman, Kennebunk High School; Zachary Klein, Bonny Eagle High School; and Sean McCormack-Kuhman, Wells High School. The other defensive linemen are Michael Lunny, Sanford High School, and Arlo Pike, Bonny Eagle High School.
“It is clear the committee has a great group of student athletes to choose from again this year. Based on their accomplishments and character, each of the finalists has proven to be dedicated to their sport, academics and their communities,” said Kane. “On behalf of the Gaziano family, congratulations to all the finalists and their families and I am looking forward to meeting them and helping announce the winner on January 27 at the Augusta Civic Center.”
The scholarship and awards program for Maine high school football linemen was created in 2010 in memory of Frank J. Gaziano, founder of National Distributors in South Portland, and a former college All-American and professional football player with a lifelong passion for local sports. During the past seven years of the Gaziano Awards, $82,000 has been awarded by National Distributors to Maine students. One offensive and one defensive lineman will each receive $5,000 and a first place trophy; the four runners-up and will receive $1,000.
The two keynote speakers for the event this year are Logan Mars, a 2011 Gaziano Award winner, and Kevin Cooper, head coach at Bonny Eagle High School. Mars played four years at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and was named Athlete of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Most recently, he was involved in the Coast Guard’s efforts to help victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria. He is currently assigned to the USCG Cutter Campell, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, where he is a command, control, communications and intelligence officer.
Cooper has coached the Scots for 16 seasons. Previously, he was a defensive assistant at the University of Maine for six years. He has also coached at Ohio University and Maine Maritime Academy after a playing career at Dartmouth College and Lawrence High School.
Anyone interested in attending the event or contributing to the scholarship fund should contact event coordinator Jenn Bouffard at 207-773-1719 ext. 3343 or email gazianoawards@gmail.com. For more information on the awards luncheon or the scholarship program, visit www.gazianolinemanawards.org.
