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Brayton Tapped As Lacky Scholar
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Escalon High senior Kaitlyn Brayton has been named a top scholarship winner for the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section, receiving one of 10 $1,000 A. Dale Lacky Scholarships.

The $1000 scholarship recognized her outstanding academic success, community service and athletic performance over her high school career.

She received her award at a breakfast meeting on Tuesday, at the same breakfast where Escalon High teacher, coach and Athletic Director Mark Loureiro received his 'Model Coach' honor.

Loureiro, however, was pleased to give Brayton the spotlight.

"It's quite an honor and she is outstanding, both in the classroom and athletics, she worked hard to get to the point to be considered for this," Loureiro said of the standout senior. "She's an all around athlete and whatever she puts her heart into, you get a sincere, honest effort and a good finished product."

Brayton began her high school career playing three sports, volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter and tennis in the spring. She continued with volleyball and tennis all four years but dropped out of basketball after going to travel volleyball, which continues well past the regular school season.

On the tennis court, she has been a key fixture and a huge contributor to the success of the league and Section champion Cougars team, playing primarily at girls singles but occasionally helping out in doubles competition as well. She also has been a standout for the volleyball team and a role model for younger players.

On campus, she is involved in a number of activities, including serving as a Homecoming Commissioner, involved in the PIT, Peer Interaction Team, and in the Friends Helping Friends organization, among others.

"I was excited," Brayton admitted of getting the news that she had received the scholarship.

Her college plans include going to UC Santa Barbara and studying biology.

"I want to do something in the medical field," she said.

She is the daughter of Bob and Linda Brayton and her older brother, Ross, is an Escalon High graduate.

As far as sports, she said she enjoys both tennis and volleyball, with tennis a team sport that also focuses more on the individual than volleyball.

She played JV volleyball as a freshman and was a three-year varsity starter, along with playing all four year of tennis.

"She gets involved with the good activities on campus, she just is a great blend of everything," Loureiro said.

The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section presented a total of $34,000 in scholarships to 50 winners of the A. Dale Lacky Scholarships at the breakfast on Tuesday, with five female and five male athletes receiving the $1000 scholarships and other nominees receiving $600 each.

All schools were allowed to play one extra volleyball game and an extra boys and girls basketball game with 50 percent of the gate going directly to the foundation for the scholarships. More than $25,000 was generated through the foundation games. The balance of money came through the annual golf tournament and other sponsors.

All of the winners were recognized at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Breakfast Awards Ceremony, which took place at Elkhorn Country Club in Stockton. The Section also honored the three male and three female model coach winners, including Loureiro, at the breakfast. University of the Pacific softball coach Brian Kolze was the keynote speaker.