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Osan teen recognized by MLB

  • Published
  • 51st Services Squadron
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  A member of the Osan Youth Teen Center was recently named the 2008 Major League Baseball S.T.A.R. Award winner.

Leslie-Anne Stake, 18, won the award which is presented to Boys & Girls Clubs of America members throughout the country who have demonstrated an all-around positive attitude in after-school sports, fitness and recreation programs. Additionally, the award recognizes club members who lead by example, demonstrate sportsmanship, team spirit, achievement and responsibility on the playing field.

"I am so honored to win such a prestigious award from Major League Baseball and the Boys and Girls' Club," she said. "My father has been a baseball and softball coach for 33 years so I have been tagging behind him at baseball fields since I was two."

As a winner of this prestigious award, she will fly to New York City as a guest of MLB where she will attend all of the All Star events and will receive her award as part of the pre-game festivities prior to the All-Star Game July 15. Leslie won the overseas military base competition and will join the five U.S. regional winners at the game.

Leslie added that getting the chance to see some of the legendary players the have played the game is a thrill of a lifetime.

"When I was told that I was being submitted by the Osan Youth/Teen Center for the award, I did not think much about winning because it seemed too unbelievable," she said.

Steven Stake, Leslie's father, says the he is very proud of his daughter and her accomplishments.

"She has worked so hard during her high school years and sometimes I worried that she was taking on too much for her own good," he said. "But she chose activities in which she tried to make a difference. She has always enjoyed her time as a player, as part of the Boys and Girls' Club and she particularly enjoyed serving as a volunteer baseball coach for the past three years. She hopes to try to get some autographs for some of the young players she coached this year."

Leslie, who graduated from Osan American High School June 5, excelled at baseball and softball, and has been a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs Organization in Japan and Korea for 11 years.

In August, Leslie will be attending Wayne State College in Nebraska, where she has received a full four-year Multi-Cultural scholarship. She plans to major in Graphic Design.

"Leslie's accomplishments as a leader, student, athlete and coach are amazing and she truly represents all of the qualities of the S.T.A.R. Award," said Ted Morris, Osan Teen Center director. "She is already serving as a role model for youth of this base and her potential in life is unlimited."