Ashleigh Calcote of Friendswood, Texas, and Dominick Savage of Missouri City, Texas, have been selected as the United States Bowling Congress Youth Ambassadors of the Year by the USBC Youth Committee.

The award annually recognizes one female and one male USBC Youth bowler for exemplary contributions to the sport, academic accomplishments and community involvement.

With both from the Houston area, the USBC Youth bowlers are very familiar with one another.

"Ashleigh and I have worked together on numerous occasions," Savage said. "Over the last few years we have closely worked together on creating new Youth Leader programs across the state."

Calcote, 17, began bowling in a league with her family at age 8 and soon after started attending Youth Leader meetings. She was appointed to the Greater Houston USBC Board of Directors as a Youth Director in 2008 and currently serves as president of the GHUSBC Youth Leaders. When her brother, Kyle, was selected as a USBC Youth Ambassador four years ago, she set her mind on also earning the award.

"I have always been involved in the service side of bowling but after he won this award, it made me strive to get it as well," Calcote said. "When I found out that I received the honor of this award, I was ecstatic."

Calcote currently is homeschooled and in her senior year. She takes dual credit courses at San Jacinto Community College and plans to attend college next year and major in Dietetics. She works in Carol Norman's pro shop UCanBowl2, which she calls "an education in and of itself."

Norman said Calcote is very motivated to achieve whatever goals she sets.

"Ashleigh is definitely going to be somebody in our sport; in fact, she already is," Norman said in her recommendation letter. "She is what's good about our youth and upcoming leaders."

Savage, 17, started bowling at age 4. He has been on the Texas State USBC Board of Directors since 2008, serving on several committees including the Hall of Fame/Hall of Honor and Adult Recognition Awards committees. He also has been on the TSUSBC Youth Committee.

He currently serves as president of the TSUSBC Youth Leaders Association and met with youth bowlers in the Dallas, San Antonio and Austin areas to assist them with starting their own Youth Leader programs.

"As one of the most prestigious awards offered by USBC for youth bowlers, winning this award has sparked my drive to continue on the path that my wonderful advisers have set for me," Savage said. "After the hard work I've invested into the Youth Leader program, it is phenomenal to receive recognition for the amount of time put into helping better youth bowling across my city, state, and nation."

Savage, a senior at Thurgood Marshall High School, is in the Triple A Music, National Honor, International Thespian Honor, and National Spanish Speaking Honor societies. He is on the student council, in the Speech and Debate Club, and has been an officer in the Book Club the last three years.

Robbie Fravel, a former Adult Advisor for the Greater Houston USBC who worked closely with Savage, said Savage is "truly an ambassador in every aspect of the word."

"He loves the sport of bowling and will talk your ears off on how great the sport is, as well as always finding a way to talk about the Youth Leader program," Fravel said in his nomination letter.

Savage will attend Newman University in Fall 2012 and plans to major in Communications and Political Science with a minor in choral music.

For being selected as the USBC Youth Ambassadors, both Calcote and Savage will receive $1,500 scholarships and a trip to the awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 2012 USBC Convention in Arlington. One of the winners may have the opportunity to be selected to serve on the USBC Youth Committee.

Visit BOWL.com/scholarships to learn more about scholarships available through USBC.