Pike Liberal Arts seniors Trevor Barron and Clay Barron have been awarded the Dixie Boys Baseball Scholarships.

The scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who have participated in Dixie Boys Baseball who plan to pursue undergraduate studies at a college or university.

Trevor Barron won the national award, while brother Clay Barron won it on the state level.

“It means the world,” Trevor Barron said. “Dixie Baseball, I have played all my life. Dan Smith and David Dickey have done a great job in Troy and Dixie Baseball provided a ton of opportunities for me. I have seen everything on social media and it’s just a testament of everybody’s hard work. I surely didn’t expect to win because there are a lot of good athletes in the state of Alabama, especially baseball players. It’s humbling and a blessing.”

Trevor Barron learned of his accomplishment on Tuesday night and on Wednesday, Clay Barron found out had also won the scholarship.

“I was at baseball practice and one of the coaches came up and said ‘Hey you know got the scholarship’,” Clay Barron said. “I was very surprised. I can’t let my brother out do me.”

For Clay Barron, the fact that baseball will provide a little extra help in college is an exciting thought.

“It feels great,” Clay Barron said. “I have been playing baseball for a very long time. Just being able to grow up playing ball and getting a scholarship to help me out is just great.”

Although athleticism was a major factor in the scholarship, it was also given to an athlete that excelled in the classroom, something that was really important to both Barron brothers.

“Academics come first,” Trevor Barron said. “I had to realize that baseball isn’t going to last forever. Everybody will have their time when they have to hang it up, whether that is after high school or after college. I have always tried to put that first and put my faith in God. I feel like he has gifted me with the ability to be successful in the classroom.”

Academics was not always a favorite for Clay, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t put in all the required work to achieve in the classroom.

“School isn’t my favorite, but I put 110 percent in everyday to be successful,” Clay Barron said. “To be able to get this will help me academically.”
Along with two letters of recommendation, the Barrons also submitted a 150-word hand written essay outlining his career objectives, how college ties into it and how he expects to contribute to society.

“My essay was how Dixie Baseball impacted my life and how it impacted the community,” Trevor Barron said. “Dixie baseball has helped me become a better person. They really set a good example to young kids in how they should lead. I have always tried to represent Troy well. The community has helped me out more than I have helped them out, so it all goes back to them.”

The national scholarship was awarded to one student each in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Barron will receive a scholarship and a plaque.

Trevor Barron is still narrowing down college choices, but he hopes to make a decision in the coming weeks.

“I am weighing a few options,” Barron said. “There are colleges all over the place. I am trying to find a place that fits me academically, spiritually and that helps me become the person and baseball player that I want to be. I don’t know where that is yet, but hopefully I will know in the next few weeks.”

Clay Barron will stay home an attend Troy University.

“I am going to get a degree in criminal justice and biology and become a game warden in the state of Alabama,” Barron said.”