Harness Tracks of America’s Scholarship Committee has announced the six exceptional students with harness racing connections who have won HTA’s $50,000 in college scholarships for the 2005-6 college year. The winners are:

AMY BETH TODD, 25, of Lebanon, PA, winner of a $10,000 HTA scholarship, daughter of trainer Art Giambrone and his wife Mona, a teacher. A straight "A" student in high school, college and Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Amy – a repeat HTA winner – will graduate in May. With a 3.95 grade average out of a possible 4.0 in Cornell’s tough vet school, Amy ranks third in this year’s class of 85. Dr. Nena J. Winand, assistant professor of pathology in Cornell’s Department of Molecular Medicine, wrote, "I anticipate that Amy will be a leader in the field of equine internal medicine. She is poised to make great contributions to the performance horse industry."

RYAN JOHN O’MARA, 20, a $10,000 scholarship winner, son of trainer Mark O’Mara and Debbie Garofalo, attending the University of Florida, with hopes of attending Harvard Medical School and becoming a specialized pediatric surgeon, a goal triggered by treatment of and recovery from personal injuries suffered when kicked by a horse at four. Pledge class president and an All-American college wrestler, Ryan has never had any grade lower than "A" at the University of Florida, where he has been taking chemistry, physics and math courses in preparation for medical school.

JENNIFER MARIE ASHBY, 19, of Maquoketa, Iowa, winner of a $7,500 scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa, where she is majoring in accounting. A daughter of 25-year veteran trainer Brad Ashby and his wife Laurie, a pharmacy technician, Jennifer maintained a perfect 4.0 scholastic average in the fall semester and a 3.93 in the spring semester last year. She hopes to become a CPA.

JOHN BRADBURY, 24, of St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, a trainer and a senior veterinary student at the University of Montreal, son of Denis Bradbury and Jacinthe Duguay. An honors student with all A’s and B’s, John has been involved in harness racing since he jogged his first horse at 15. He receives a $7,500 HTA scholarship.

MICHAEL JOHN LATESSA, 24, of Amherst, Ohio, son of air traffic controller Gerald Latessa and his wife Paula, a second year student in the Ohio State Veterinary School and a winner of a $7,500 scholarship. His father and grandfather operated a successful Ohio stable 30 years ago, campaigning among others the $325,051 winner Sly Attorney. Michael’s grandfather’s brother, Donald Latessa, was a former presiding judge at the Meadowlands. Michael worked in the press box at Scioto Downs as an undergraduate at Ohio State.

JO ELLEN PROCTOR, 32, of Chesapeake Beach, MD, executive assistant to Cloverleaf Enterprises chief executive Tom Chuckas at Rosecroft Raceway and a part time student at the College of Southern Maryland, where she maintains a 4.0 grade average pursuing an associates degree in Human Services and certificates in Alcohol and Drug Counseling and Mental Health Technician, hoping to become a substance abuse counselor. Ms. Proctor receives a $7,500 scholarship from HTA.