Navasota Softball Player Earns Umpire Scholarship

Lady Rattler catcher Mahayla Ybarra awarded $500 scholarship from local officials group

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:24pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a softball game, with the catcher's gear and umpire's uniform dissolving into bold brushstrokes.A scholarship award celebrates the positive impact of high school sports on student-athletes like Navasota's Mahayla Ybarra.Navasota Today

Navasota High School senior Mahayla Ybarra, a catcher on the Lady Rattlers softball team, was awarded a $500 scholarship from the Bryan/College Station chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials. The scholarship was presented before a recent Lady Rattlers game and highlights the positive impact that playing softball can have on a student's life, both on and off the field.

Why it matters

Scholarships and recognition for student-athletes, especially in smaller communities, can provide valuable encouragement and support. This award for Ybarra demonstrates the investment local sports officials are making to cultivate the next generation of umpires and referees, which is crucial for the future of high school athletics.

The details

Ybarra, a senior catcher on the Navasota Lady Rattlers softball team, was presented with the $500 scholarship by Kayla Holland and Mike Sheets, the scholarship chair and president of the Bryan/College Station umpire chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials. The scholarship was awarded before the Lady Rattlers' game on April 8 at Ira Floyd Field.

  • The scholarship was presented on April 8, 2026 before a Lady Rattlers softball game.

The players

Mahayla Ybarra

A senior catcher on the Navasota High School Lady Rattlers softball team.

Kayla Holland

A member of the Bryan/College Station umpire chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials.

Mike Sheets

The scholarship chair and president of the Bryan/College Station umpire chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials.

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The takeaway

This scholarship award highlights the important role that local sports officials play in supporting and investing in the next generation of student-athletes, coaches, and even future officials themselves. It's a testament to the positive impact that high school sports can have on a young person's life.