LAKEPORT, Calif. – While most of the attention last Friday night was on the field where Clear Lake High was successfully defending their Bass Bowl Championship against  Kelseyville High, other significant things were going on.

The US Air Force chose this year’s game to be part of their High School Rivalry series.  

This made the varsity player from each team with the highest grade point average eligible to receive the Outstanding Student Award, which included a $500 scholarship.  

The scholarship was awarded prior to the start of the varsity game.  

Zuhuri Haver Sebahive Manley was the recipient from Clear Lake High with a cumulative GPA of 3.69. Anthony Melero was the recipient from Kelseyville High, with a cumulative GPA of 3.55.

The US Marine Corps was also represented at the game and acted as the color guard for the National Anthem. Sgt. David Gonzalez led  Private First Class Brad Myaer (from Kelseyville High School) and Private First Class James McGann (from Clearlake High School), both of the  class of 2012, as they presented the colors.

“It was fun for us and great to get those young men some recognition for their service to their Country.  We hope to be able to do it again next year,” Gonzalez said.

The Vietnam Veterans of America group also was present with an informational booth.

Founded in 1978, Vietnam Veterans of America is the only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam-era veterans and their families.

“Our goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans,” according to local chapter vice president, Walt Frazier.

With the $1,500 in scholarships awarded at the Kiss My Bass Pageant, the US Air Force contribution makes the scholarship payouts for Bass Bowl events total $2,500, according to Bass Bowl director Phil Smoley.  

“We very much appreciate how our military branches have come out to support the Bass Bowl like they have,” Smoley said. “It was special having a recent grad from each school return in their military uniforms to be part of the event. It was Homecoming for them.”