ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- People gathered at Ernie Davis academy Friday morning to celebrate the 2023 winners of the Ernie Davis and Marty Harrigan Scholarships, honoring two students that have gone above and beyond in continuing Ernie's legacy. 

The $15,000 Ernie Davis Scholarship was awarded to Corning-Painted Post's Brookelyn Batzing. 

“Ever since the beginning of my Junior year, I knew this was something I wanted to pursue my senior year, thinking about ideas, so this means a lot,” Batzing said. 

2023 marks the 35th year high school seniors in Chemung County and Corning were recognized for preserving memories of the late Ernie Davis. Batzing organized a fundraiser at a basketball game on what would have been Ernie's 83rd birthday. Proceeds she raised from the event were donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

“The best part of this project was being able to talk to the elementary young leaders about diversity, equity, and inclusion, but also the six pillars of character that Ernie Davis lived by,” Batzing said, adding, “Helping them inspire others within their school community to live by that and create an environment with diversity, equity, and inclusion.” 

The $10,750 Marty Harrigan Scholarship was also awarded Friday morning to Notre Dame Senior Izzy Griffin. 

She won the scholarship by working with the City of Elmira to have December 6th declared as Ernie Davis Day. She also sold t-shirts, donating $5 from each item to the Elmira Economic Opportunity Program. 

“I think it's so important that the people of Elmira and the kids of Elmira pass Ernie Davis and his story through generations,” Griffin said, adding, “It's so inspirational and amazing, and it means so much that I get to be part of that.” 

Both Izzy and Brookelyn plan to use their respective scholarships towards their tuition as both high school graduates plan on attending Syracuse University.