Two Edsel Ford athletes earn 2022 Van Patrick Memorial Award

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Edsel Ford seniors Elizabeth Kowalsky and Joseph Marano are joined by Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud on June 12 during the the Dearborn Parks and Recreation Commission’s 69th Annual Sports Awards Ceremony at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. Kowalsky and Marano earned the 2022 Van Patrick Memorial Award, which goes to the city's male and female athlete of the year. (Photo courtesy of Dearborn Parks and Recreation)

Edsel Ford seniors Joseph Marano and Elizabeth Kowalsky were honored as the 2022 Van Patrick Memorial Award winners on June 12 at the Dearborn Parks and Recreation Commission’s 69th Annual Sports Awards Ceremony at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

Alex Muller - For MediaNews Group
Edsel Ford’s Joe Marano (right) wrestles during individual regionals in February at Saline. Marano recently earned the 2022 Van Patrick Memorial Award, which goes to the city’s athlete of the year. (Alex Muller – For MediaNews Group)

The Van Patrick Award is presented annually to the city’s high school athlete of the year, with both a male and female selected.  The award is based on athletic and academic achievement along with other extracurricular activities and community involvement.

Student-athletes are nominated for the award by teachers, coaches and administrators from their respective schools. The award winners are ultimately selected by a committee of parks and recreation commissioners.

Terry Jacoby - For MediaNews Group
Edsel Ford’s Elizabeth Kowalsky looks to make a play, on her home court, during a playoff game in February. Kowalsky was recently presented with the 2022 Van Patrick Memorial Award, which goes to city’s athlete of the year. (Terry Jacoby – For MediaNews Group)

At Edsel Ford, Marano shined as a member of the school’s football and wrestling teams. Marano will continue his athletic career at the collegiate level, as he has signed on to play football at Michigan Technological University.

Kowalsky excelled for the Thunderbirds as a member of the volleyball, basketball and soccer teams at Edsel Ford. Kowalsky will continue her athletic career at the next level, as she has signed on to play soccer at Schoolcraft College.

The Van Patrick Award is named after former sportscaster Van Patrick, who was a Dearborn resident and an acclaimed radio and television personality.

Patrick broadcast college and professional sports -including Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions games—from the late 1940s until his death in 1974. Patrick was a member of the Dearborn Parks and Recreation Commission and a longtime supporter of the city’s parks and recreation department.

Each nominee for the Van Patrick Award was recognized at the June 12 awards ceremony and a short video was shown highlighting the achievements of each student-athlete.

Nominated from Dearborn High were seniors Adam Rammouni and Mya Hamood.

Fordson’s nominees were seniors Marwan Algahmi and Batoul Reda.

The nominees from Divine Child were seniors Lorenzo Vitti and Katelyn Mulka.

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