SFPAL Junior Giant Wins $5,000 Scholarship

We’re proud to celebrate the success of our own SFPAL baseball Junior Giant Conall Pederson and congratulate his coach Lt. Mike Stasko (retired). Conall is one of ten Junior Giant scholars selected this year to receive a $5,000 scholarship upon successful completion of high school and acceptance to college or a training program. He is only the second kid in San Francisco history to be awarded the prestigious Giants Community Fund “Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship.” The award was presented at the Giants Game against the Philadelphia Phillies (we won, too!) on August 16 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Conall is a student at Saint Philip the Apostle Grammar School in San Francisco’s Noe Valley. Lt. Stasko is the Athletic Director there. They’re both very special to SFPAL.

Smiling boy in a SFPAL t-shirt with a certificate of recognition

Conall Pederson Wins a $5,000 Scholarship

About Conall Pederson

Conall first met Lt. Stasko when he transferred into Saint Philip the Apostle Grammar School for his 5th grade year.

Lt. Stasko describes Conall as someone who grew over time and displayed exemplary character: determined, enthusiastic, trustworthy, out going, confidant to others, leader, team player, organized, and compassionate to others.

Conall’s enthusiasm and heart made him stand out. He eagerly joined new sports, attending every practice and participating in every game. His full of encouragement, is a mentor to younger players, and engages with students in all grades.

You can see why he was selected for this honor!

Mike Stasko in uniform with the flag

Lt. Mike Stasko (retired)

About Lt. Mike Stasko

As a child, Lt. Stasko (who was born, raised and still resides in San Francisco) played SFPAL baseball and basketball. As a teen, he served as an SFPAL Law Enforcement Cadet and still volunteers his time as an instructor in the program.

Youth sports are very important to Lt. Stasko: he began coaching basketball, track and SFPAL football while still in high school. In college, he coached basketball at Orinda’s Sleepy Hollow and refereed SF CYO basketball. He has also coached baseball and served as a scuba diving instructor. He began coaching baseball and basketball at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in 1998, and became the parish Athletic Director in 2000, overseeing basketball, baseball, soccer, track, cross country and T-ball.

With all that experience, it’s not surprising that Lt. Stasko serves on the SFPAL Board because he loves to teach and coach kids.

About the Scholarship

Celebrating its 13th year, the Giants Community Fund’s scholarship program emphasizes the importance of self-esteem, teamwork and leadership, and a commitment to academics and community service through assisting students to achieve goals of higher education and community involvement. The goal is to provide students with the incentive and motivation to reach their full potential.

In 2009, the Junior Giants Scholars program was renamed the Harmon and Sue Burns Scholarship Fund in honor of the late Giants owners Harmon and Sue Burns. Both Harmon and Sue were generous supporters of the Giants Community Fund. The Fund is thankful to The Burns Family Foundation and Franklin Templeton Investments for underwriting the scholarship program in honor of Harmon and Sue.