Seth Ludford is recipient of Gary ‘Butch’ Carey Memorial Scholarship

PERU — St. Bede Academy senior Seth Ludford was awarded the Gary “Butch” Carey Memorial Scholarship.

This is an annual scholarship that was established in 2019 by Dr. Manny Valerin and his wife, Kristy. To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be a graduating senior attending St. Bede Academy, a high school athlete who excels academically and in volunteerism and plans to major in dentistry or another medical profession.

Carey was a 1957 graduate of St. Bede Academy and was inducted into the St. Bede Academy Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1956 and 1957 Bruins baseball teams.

Carey was affectionately known as “Mr. Oglesby,” having served three terms as the commissioner for the city of Oglesby. He was a sports buff and was the driving force behind many of Oglesby’s festivals and athletic events. Volunteer service was an important part of his life. He was dedicated to the city of Oglesby and its residents, and enjoyed helping people in any way that he could. He passed away in February 2018 at the age of 78.

Ludford, the son of Dr. David and Ginger Ludford of LaSalle, was the first recipient of this scholarship. He is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Utica and graduated from Waltham Grade School. He will be attending St. Louis University in Missouri this fall to major in dentistry.