Wisconsin-based Cousins Subs and its Make It Better Foundation awarded four Wisconsin high school seniors with $20,000 in scholarships as part of its fifth annual Wisconsin Sports Awards Scholarship Contest.

Alex Shutter of Plymouth, Wis. and Hanna Mallien of Sturgeon Bay, Wis. were selected as the first-place prize winners of a $7,500 scholarship. Runner-ups, Travis Eilers of Howards Grove, Wisconsin, and Dani Meyer of Amery, Wisconsin, received a $2,500 scholarship to assist with their continued education.

Finalists were awarded scholarships during the Wisconsin Sports Awards, an exclusive VIP event held in Madison, Wis. on May 11, 2017. At the event, the finalists walked the blue carpet beside Wisconsin’s finest athletes in high school, collegiate and professional arenas, received recognition onstage during the award presentation and mingled with athletes such as Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Barry Alvarez and former Wisconsin Badgers women’s volleyball player and professional athlete, Lauren Carlini.

"By teaming up with Good Karma Brands to recognize four Wisconsin Sports Awards Scholarship finalists, we’re able to fulfill our commitment to support those pursuing dreams of continued education," said Justin McCoy, vice president of marketing at Cousins Subs and director on the Make It Better Foundation board. "During the event, the finalists were recognized for their outstanding commitment to academics, athletics and community involvement in front of many of their idols, and Wisconsin’s finest athletes."

The Make It Better Foundation received nearly 400 applications from Wisconsin high school senior athletes. The four finalists were selected due to their academic acumen, participation in Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association-sanctioned sports, community involvement and their pursuit of continuing education.

"Each of the four chosen finalists have devoted their time and effort to go above and beyond to exceed their desired goals," said McCoy. "It is our pleasure that we are able to honor such talented student-athletes for their successes as they continue their education."

The scholarships are funded through Cousins’ Make It Better Foundation – a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to funding three areas vital to any community: health and wellness, hunger and youth education.