GREENSBORO SPORTS COUNCIL AWARDS BILL LEE SCHOLARSHIPS TO FOUR GREENSBORO STUDENTS
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Four Greensboro high school seniors received the Bill Lee Scholarship during today’s pairings event for the 2025 AAR Invitational presented by the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greensboro Sports Council announced today. The Council began awarding these $2,000 scholarships during its annual high school basketball tournament in 2001. The 49th AAR Invitational is set for Dec. 18-20, 2025 at the Greensboro Complex Novant Health Fieldhouse and Special Events Center.
The Bill Lee Scholarship is awarded to four tournament participants each year. Participating schools are invited to nominate student athletes; winners are the most-qualified applicants regardless of which school they represent. Including the 2025 winners, who are listed alphabetically below, 101 student athletes won the Bill Lee Scholarship since the program’s inception. In addition to receiving their scholarships during today’s annual AAR Invitational pairings announcement, the winners will be recognized during the championship games on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Lexi Powell, from Wesleyan, is a team captain who battled adversity during her career. After major knee surgery prior to her junior year, Powell fought through rehab and remained team captain despite being sidelined for much of her junior season. She led from the bench before returning to action for the last few weeks of the season. She is editor of the yearbook and a member of the journalism club. Her community service commitment is with the Special Olympics, Merrywood Seniors, Leading Kids and coaching elementary school basketball. In college, Powell will play basketball at West Liberty University and plans to pursue a career as a doctor or a teacher.
Representing Northern Guilford High School, William Thomas carries a 4.667 cumulative grade point average and is an AP Scholar with Honor. He is a Junior Marshall, a member of the National Honor Society and on the GTCC Honors list. Thomas is secretary of the Gardening and Food Insecurity Club, a member of the National Science Honor Society and a founding member of the Eco Club. He is also interested in photography, videography and sports marketing. Thomas volunteers with Appalachia Service Project, Lion’s Club Food Pantry and serves as a youth basketball coach. He hopes to attend Duke University, Vanderbilt University or the University of North Carolina and is considering a career in either with the FBI as a special agent, an attorney or a politician.
Thomas Thompson, representing Bishop McGuinness, carries a 4.193 cumulative grade point average and is in the National Honor Society. He is also in the Diversity Club and the Spanish Club. He is a student ambassador, a member of the Black Student Union as well as Book Buddies though which he goes to different schools and reads to small children. He volunteers with Crisis Controls, Hope 20, Fresh Mobile Market and the “Trip to Tijuana” Service Club. He hopes to attend the University of Chicago, Winston-Salem State or Washington & Lee University and is considering a career as a sports psychologist.
Claire Sullivan attends Bishop McGuinness and carries a 4.67 cumulative grade point average. She made the Head of School list four times, was named Tatum and Atkinson Scholar Athlete of the Week, won the Gold History Award, the Silver AP Physics Award, the Bronze Spanish Award and the Gold Geometry Award. She is a past member of the AAR Invitational All-Tournament Team and played in the state final four last season. In addition to basketball, she also runs cross country and was named to the All-State Team and played varsity soccer through which she was named All-Region. She volunteers at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Second Harvest Food Bank and for Easter/Christmas Outreach at her church. She is undecided on college but is considering a career as a Nurse Anesthetist, a Nurse Practitioner or a Physician’s Assistant.
Bill Lee was a Greensboro native and resident who was a major supporter of local sports. The Bill Lee Memorial Scholarship was established by the Greensboro Sports Council following Lee’s death in 2001. Recipients are nominated by the schools participating in the AAR Invitational each year, and the Greensboro Sports Council awards the scholarships. Each nomination is considered with the following criteria: 40% academic, 40% athletic and 20% civic.
*****Photo Caption:***** The Greensboro Sports Council awarded Bill Lee Scholarships to four high school seniors participating in the 2025 AAR Invitational high school basketball tournament set for Dec. 18-20 at the Greensboro Complex in Greensboro, N.C. Scholarship winners, pictured left-to-right, are Will Thomas (Northern Guilford High School), Lexi Powell (Wesleyan), Thomas Thompson (Bishop McGuinness) and Claire Sullivan (Bishop McGuinness). (Photo Courtesy: Chuck Burton/Greensboro Sports Council)
About the AAR Invitational:
The AAR Invitational is an annual high school basketball tournament in Greensboro, N.C. Founded in 1976 as the Little 4 Invitational, the tournament features men’s and women’s teams representing eight high schools located in or around Guilford County. The tournament is played at the Greensboro Complex. Tournament proceeds are donated to local charities and the participating schools; the AAR Invitational is planned and presented by the Greensboro Sports Council. For more information, please visit www.AARInvitational.com and follow the event on Instagram, X and Facebook: @AARInvitational.
About AAR:
AAR is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company with operations in over 20 countries. Headquartered in the Chicago area, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. Additional information can be found at aarcorp.com.
Courtesy of Media Director, Rob Goodman, 3-G Sports, LLC