May 4, 2016 at 3:34 PM EDT

McCormick Honors 2016 Unsung Heroes and Awards $80,000 in Scholarships to Alyssa Rasmussen of Sparrows Point High School and Joseph Schildwachter of Concordia Preparatory School

SPARKS, Md., May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC), a global leader in flavor, announced that Alyssa Rasmussen of Sparrows Point High School and Joseph Schildwachter of Concordia Preparatory School are the 76th and 77th recipients of the Charles Perry McCormick Scholarship.  

Alyssa Rasmussen & Joseph Schildwachter

The scholarship winners were chosen from a total of 108 honorees that were recognized as Unsung Heroes this year. The student-athletes came from 69 Baltimore area public, private, parochial and independent schools.

Rasmussen's strong influence on her team and selflessness throughout the basketball season are what endeared her to the judges of this year's scholarship award. She was an ever-present source of positivity and energy to her fellow teammates and helped boost the team's spirit by organizing team dinners, a holiday gift exchange and fun practice sessions. Rasmussen said after receiving the award, "I know that chemistry is important on the field and off the field, and I just wanted to get everybody together and keep our good relationship." Her head coach Shanira Hall praised her efforts, saying that "all the young women listen to her because she has gained their respect." A three-sport athlete with near perfect attendance in high school, Rasmussen, a senior, will attend Stevenson University in the fall where she will play soccer.

For Schildwachter, his versatility on the field and leadership in the locker room stood out for the scholarship's selection committee. He played eight different positions on both sides of the ball during Concordia's football season, which was cut short by two games because of a low number of eligible players. Even with this adversity Schildwachter always led by example. He was elected team captain in the second week of the season because of the way he encouraged the younger players to always give their best. A three-sport competitor throughout his high school years, Schildwachter remained humble and focused on being an exemplary student-athlete, said Dave Merritt, Athletic Director at Concordia Prep. "Joey has a servant's heart; from washing the floors to getting water ready, anything that will better the school as a whole, he will do." Schildwachter will attend SUNY-Brockport in New York this fall.

McCormick's Unsung Heroes program was founded by the late Charles Perry McCormick Sr. in 1940. The mission of the program is to recognize athletes for unselfish team play and highlight the efforts of those who contribute to the success of their teams without acclaim. In 1969, the scholarship award was added to the program in his honor. The scholarship is awarded to one female basketball player and male football player each year and is worth $40,000 over four years for each recipient.

The keynote remarks were given by Brenda Frese, Head Coach of the University of Maryland Women's Basketball program.

More than 700 Baltimore area officials, school administrators, coaches, Unsung Hero honorees and family members attended the event on May 2nd.

About McCormick

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in flavor.  With $4.3 billion in annual sales, the company manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry – retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses.  Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food flavored by McCormick.  McCormick Brings Passion to Flavor™.

For more information, visit www.mccormickcorporation.com.

For information contact:
Corporate Communications:  
Lori Robinson (410) 527-6004 or lori_robinson@mccormick.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160504/363768 

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SOURCE McCormick & Company, Incorporated