POPS honors high schoolers

Twenty individual certificates were presented by POPS Commissioner Dr. Keith Pastuch, who cited achievements of each recipient to the crowd of approximately 70 parents, players and members of the POPS Board of Directors. The recipients boast impressive resumes, including things such as: participation in high school sports (baseball, softball, basketball, football, lacrosse, track, soccer, hockey and golf), charitable activities (Habitat for Humanity), raising money for charitable organizations (walk-a-thons, helping underprivileged children worldwide), helping local kids (tutoring elementary school students, mentoring younger students), membership in high school clubs (Key Club, Debate Club, Recycling Club, Future Leaders Club, Athletes Helping Athletes, Athletic Pride Club), and talents such as singing and writing.

Some of the scholarships were memorial, honoring players who have passed away. In addition, POPS gave scholarships in the memory of Ron Gies, who was very involved with local Little Leagues and was a firefighter who lost his life on 9/11. There were also the Peggy Carlock scholarship and Oceanside Department of Community Services scholarships, given to recognize their support of the vision of the POPS Commissioner to start a softball league for men in their 40’s.

POPS was founded in 1999 by Dr. Keith Pastuch with four teams. It now has two different leagues, has grown to 38 teams, and plays on fields in western Nassau County. Most players reside in Oceanside, Merrick and Bellmore, but many come from towns across Long Island.