MARSHFIELD, MA… Hot Shots, the popular sports programs for girls and boys ages 2 to 6 years old at the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield, has announced a new scholarship — the Amanda O’Connell Scholarship.
Created in memory of the beloved Hot Shots coach, the Amanda O’Connell Scholarship provides scholarships to families in financial need who otherwise would not be able to afford to send their child to Hot Shots.
Some of Amanda O’Connell’s happiest memories involved being a Hot Shots coach — squatting on the gym floor, looking into a little four-year-old’s tear-filled eyes, and telling the child that she believed in her. Amanda would then say, “I bet that if we try it again together, you’ll be able to do it!” And, sure enough, the tyke would succeed! Tears would be replaced by squeals of happiness and, more often than not, the child would jump for joy!
Amanda did this kind of empathetic mentoring over and over again with hundreds of little children during her seven-year career as a Hot Shots coach. Amanda knew how important those little moments are in building a child’s self-confidence and self-esteem because when Amanda was a four-year-old Hot Shots camper herself, she received those special votes of confidence from the coaches.
So, when Amanda tragically passed away in the summer of 2023 at the age of just 30, her family couldn’t think of a better way to keep her memory alive than to create a Hot Shots scholarship in her name to help little kids have the Hot Shots experience who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
“Amanda embodied the spirit and mission of Hot Shots, a unique youth development program that uses joyful, fun, silly games with 100 percent parent participation to build a child’s self-esteem, parental bonds, love of reading, and athletic skills,” said Hot Shots founder and director John Wilpers. “Amanda brought sunshine into every room she entered along with a can-do spirit that was infectious. Little girls looked up to her and blossomed with her encouragement.”
“She put smiles on the faces of the Hot Shots campers and encouraged them to not be afraid of trying new things,” said her sister Lindsey O’Connell. “She would want little Hot Shots kids today to have the same uplifting experiences she had as a Hot Shots camper, and learn how to share their light with the world.”
“The Amanda O’Connell scholarship will be a special way of continuing Amanda’s positive impact on little children for years to come,” said Wilpers.
If you have a boy or girl between the ages of 2-6 and would like him or her to have the Hot Shots experience, visit the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield (bgcmarshfield.org) or email Mr. Wilpers at john@bgcmarshfield.org or text him at 617-688-0137.
About Hot Shots
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s Hot Shots program has been running for almost 30 years and is designed for girls and (as of this year) boys ages 2 to 6 years old with the mission to build their self-esteem, parental bonds, athletic skills, and love of reading, all while having a lot of fun.
Since 1996, nearly 5,000 girls have graduated from Hot Shots. Most girls return year after year, and many come back to coach after they’re too old to play. For more information about Hot Shots, visit https://www.bgcmarshfield.org/s/hot-shots.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness. The Club serves families with children ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old, and provides critical services the community needs to support children and families over the short- and long-term. For more information, visit their website www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582.
