Pictured from left are Mark Young, Jim Bartosch, Donna Medlin, Kelsey Medlin, Chevelle Jaynes, Kenny Hanchar, Ronnie Harner, Tom Reames and Matt Probst. (Leader photo/ JAMI FUJAWA)

There are very few experiences in this world that are as trying, exhausting, rigorous and expensive as attending college.

Be it a large university or a local community college, the stresses that come along with furthering your education can sometimes leave a person feeling overwhelmed.

When you think about it, the only way to circumvent the nerve-wracking inhibitions one can feel when enrolling into a university or college is to personally accept and acknowledge the fact that obtaining the all-important-degree will do wonders to ensure yourself success in whatever ever walk of life you choose to pursue.

However, one’s outlook on the possibilities of a prosperous, secure  and comfortable future can sometimes be misplaced when facing some of the daunting (and seemingly never-ending) bills incurred while investing in our futures.

Luckily for the members of the Niles Four Flags USBC Youth League, there are men and women who participate in their sport who understand the rigors of advancing their educational quests and want to aid them in their pursuit of attaining all their goals both on and off of the lanes.

The Niles City B Men’s League and the Ladies’ Night Out League of Joey Armadillo’s has hosted a raffle/fundraiser for the past five years, during which they have raised over $3,000 towards scholarships for youth bowlers in total.

This year’s raffle was Dec. 20 as it is annually held on the Thursday before Christmas. The leagues raised $862 this year in support of the youth bowlers.

Niles City B league President Mark Young and league secretary Jim Bartosch were at Joey’s recently to present the check to the youth league.

“The biggest thing for the people who run this thing is that it’s for the kids, it gives them the opportunity to earn scholarships and it promotes bowling and it sustains the sport to the future,” Young said. “We look forward to it every year and the league members really get into it.”

NFF-USBC Youth director Tom Reames was very appreciative and proud of his fellow bowlers for the work and effort put forth for helping the youth bowlers.

“It’s just tremendous. It offers these kids scholarship money that otherwise wouldn’t be there,” he said. “These guys work hard for us every year and enable us to share our passion for the sport with these kids that will hopefully instill that same passion in them.”

“It really helps a lot and we appreciate everything that they have all done for us,” said youth bowler Kelsey Medlin, when asked about the event and its hosts.

The NFF-USBC Youth League, Niles City B League and the Ladies’ Night Out League would like to thank Trailhead Mercantile, Niles Main St. Association, Joey Armadillos, Off Main Street Salon, The Hide Away Lounge, Hampshire CC, Bill Lock, Troy’s Muffler & Brake, Spare Time Pro Shop, Extreme Discount Warehouse, Brads Pro Shop, Randy Harvey’s Pro Shop, Pete’s Patio, OK Distributing, Stark West Products, Dave Colcord and Kevin Ryan for all of their hard work and contributions to this years event.