By Michael Letendre

How about some good news for a change?

After being inundated with chaos in Washington, a horrific pandemic, and just plain old stress that’s not good for anyone, the Bristol Tramps are spreading a little ray of sunshine over the Mum City.

On Wednesday, January 13, the Tramps announced their scholarship recipients for 2021.

Each one of these student-athletes have excelled in the classroom, on the field and in the community.

As always, the Tramps have recognized individuals from all three of the high schools in town.

This year, the Julie Larese/Frank and Antoinette Scalia Scholarship was awarded to Natalia Popielarz from Bristol Central.

Bristol Eastern’s Avery Braccia earned the Julie Larese/Patricia D’Amato Memorial Scholarship award.

And the Julie Larese/John E. Tavera Family Memorial Scholarship was awarded to St. Paul Catholic’s Nina Zwolinski.

“They are all very accomplished and outstanding young women,” said long time Bristol Tramps committee member Donna Papazian of the trio.

Popielarz, the daughter of Justyna and Mark Popielarz, just put together an excellent season for the cross country team at Central.

At the CCC Region B Championship from Stanley Quarter Park in New Britain, Popielarz ran a great race, taking third place overall in a time of 19:30 at the 5K showdown.

In the process of that outstanding finish, Popielarz took home All-State honors.

She won Central’s meet against New Britain in 19:39 on October 21 while Popielarz started the fall season against Avon, crossing the finish line in 21:42 for first place.

Braccia, the daughter of Melinda and Rich Braccia, also excelled on the cross country courses this past fall – giving the girls program at Eastern an impressive 1-2 punch along with teammate Fiona Gallagher. 

She’s been one of the featured runners for the Lancers over the past few seasons, ending her career at the Region B Championship in 15th place with a finish of 21:55.

And Zwolinski, the daughter of Jadz and Robert Zwolinski, was the outstanding keeper for the St. Paul Catholic girls soccer program over the years.

She was an All-State selection in 2017 and 2019 and will attend American University – playing for the women’s soccer team this coming fall.

All scholarships are $1,000 awards. 

Each and every year, the Bristol Tramps honors Bristol’s rich sports history and this year’s celebration is slated for September 10.