Aiden Parmenter of Leavitt Area High School is among the six finalists for the Frank J. Gaziano Lineman Awards, awarded annually to the top offensive and defensive linemen in Maine based on both on-the-field performance, classroom performance and community involvement.

Parmenter joins Michael Lunny of Sanford and Arlo Pike of Bonny Eagle as finalists on the defensive side of the ball. Offensive line finalists include Sean McCormack-Kuhman of Wells, Zachary Klein of Bonny Eagle and Cole Hoffman of Kennebunk.

Parmenter, a senior, sat out portions of the 2016 season with a severe back injury, but rebounded in 2017. He returned to the team as a captain, and earned recognition as an All-Star in the Campbell Conference and was named to the 2017 KVAC First Team. He was also a Sun Journal all-region selection on the line. He is involved in AP courses and several extra-curricular activities, including the Latin Club, Key Club, Outing Club and Environmental Resources Club, and in addition to football, is a member of the track and field and Certamen teams. He has participated in many community events, including the Dempsey Challenge, Hornet Pride Camp, TAA Boosters and Breakfast with Santa events.

Lunny was named to the All-Conference Team on defense and was the MVP and Semper-Fidelis All-American at the school. He also participates in basketball and track and field.

Pike has earned several athletic honors as a First Team All-SMAA Defensive Lineman, and AMAA All-Academic Team. As captain of the Scots’ football and baseball teams in 2016 and 2017, he leads by example and contributes to the community by volunteering time at Catherine’s Cupboard, a local food bank, as well as supporting the Standish Kiwanis and volunteering to coach youth football. In 2015, he received the Julia Clukey “Courage Award” that recognizes Maine students for demonstrating leadership or overcoming adversity.

McCormack-Kuhman was a member of the 2016 and 2017 state champion football teams and earned Campbell Conference honors as a conference all-star. He was also the recipient of the John Taglienti Award, presented each year to the outstanding player in the Campbell Conference. In addition to football, he has been a member of the school’s wrestling and lacrosse team for the past four years.

Klein was named the Gerry Raymond Award winner as the best lineman in the SMAA this season and named First Team All-SMAA Offensive Line. In addition to four years on the Scots’ lacrosse team, he has volunteered as a youth football coach for Bonny Eagle and served as a coach for Gorham youth lacrosse.

Hoffman has been the captain of the football and basketball teams and he is a leader among his peers in community service, having worked as a representative for YMCA Youth in Government and as a volunteer football coach for local youth and the Kennebunk Parks and Recreation Department’s summer programs.

Jeff Kane, retired president of National Distributors, Inc. and Frank Gaziano’s son-in-law, said the finalists were chosen from the thirteen semi-finalists, which were named this week after the selection committee interviewed each of the semifinalists to determine the finalists.

“It is clear the committee has a great group of student athletes to choose from again this year,” Kane said in a news release. “Based on their accomplishments and the character each of the finalists has proven to be dedicated to their sport, academics and their communities. On behalf of the Gaziano family, congratulations to all the finalists and their families and I am looking forward to meeting them and helping announce the winner on January 27 at the Augusta Civic Center.”

The scholarship and awards program for Maine high school football linemen was created in 2010 in memory of Frank J. Gaziano, founder of National Distributors in South Portland, and a former college All-American and professional football player with a lifelong passion for local sports. During the past seven years of the Gaziano Awards, $82,000 has been awarded by National Distributors to Maine students. One offensive and one defensive lineman will each receive $5,000 and a first place trophy, and four runners-up and will receive $1,000.

Aidan Parmenter was a standout lineman for Leavitt Area High School’s football team this past season. (Sun Journal file photo)

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