This award was established in 1999 by the St. Barnabas Knights of Columbus Council 8603 in loving memory of Maria R. Spedaliere who, at the age of 12, passed away in November of 1998. Shortly before her illness, Maria, a 7th grade honor student at Central Regional Middle School, Bayville, NJ, finished her first season with the CRMS Girls Field Hockey Team.

In recognition of Maria's high academic standards and to encourage participation in the sport she loved so much, each year the St. Barnabas Knights of Columbus will award a $50 US Savings Bond to the CRMS 8th grade student:

• who played on the CRMS Girls Field Hockey team...and
• who maintains the highest cumulative 7th and 8th grade academic average (up to and including the third marking period of 8th grade)*.

A representative of the Knights of Columbus (and/or members of the Spedaliere family) will present the award to the winner at the Middle School Awards Ceremony held at the end of each school year.

In addition, the Knights of Columbus will maintain a commemorative plaque at the Middle School which will display the names of each year's winner. The Knights of Columbus will update this plaque annually.

*In the event of a tie, $50 US Savings Bonds will be awarded to each of the winners.