Scholarships awarded

to local baseball players SPARTA — The Thomas Talmadge American Legion Post 491 in Sparta was the proud sponsor of the number one high school baseball team in Sussex County. This year, the post awarded two $250 scholarships to Chris Liegel from Pope John XXIII High School and Dan Mastriani from Sparta High School. The O'Brien Scholarship Fund was created by Deborah and Richard O'Brien in honor of their son, Dan O'Brien, who lost his life at the age of 21 in an alcohol-related car accident in April. As a high school student, Dan O'Brien played on an American Legion baseball team. With donations received in memory of their son, the O'Brien's created a scholarship fund to be awarded to Sparta baseball players at the discretion of post members.