FredNats Award Scholarships To Five Local College Students

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Fredericksburg Nationals, in connection with Germanna Community College, awarded five scholarships to local students last week. Each student was awarded $1,042 and was selected through their participation in the annual Jackie Robinson Essay Contest.

The scholarship is just one part of the team's new historical initiatives since they moved to Fredericksburg last year. The historical initiative began through a partnership with Germanna Community College, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, and Dovetail Cultural Resource Group.

The winners were honored before the FredNats' game against the Lynchburg Hillcats. The $1,042 scholarships were presented to the winners by Germanna Community College President Janet Gullickson, in honor of Jackie Robinson.

The essay contest, which is now in its second year, encouraged students to write about what Jackie Robinson and his legacy meant to them. The winners were selected by a panel of judges that included Fredericksburg Nationals' treasurer Seth Silber and faculty members at Germanna Community College.

"We are thrilled to both honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, and recognize the talents of some of the area’s brightest young minds," Seth Silber said. "This program is an ongoing part of the initiative by Germanna, the Museum, and Dovetail to bring alive the rich history of baseball in Fredericksburg, and use it as a tool to excite students about learning about the rich history of their region."

The Fredericksburg Nationals have been involved in several community and historical projects since moving from Woodbridge to Fredericksburg in 2020. Earlier this year, FredNats owner Art Silber loaned several artifacts, including his autographed baseball collection, to the Fredericksburg Area Museum as part of their "Play Ball" exhibit.

Read more: Play Ball! Baseball Exhibit Comes to Fredericksburg Area Museum

"The history of Fredericksburg and the history of baseball in Fredericksburg are incredibly deep and rich," Seth Silber said. "We are thrilled to be a part of bringing that history alive in this incredible exhibit that serves as a tribute to the history of this sport that means so much to our family and this community."