VERO BEACH, Fla. -- The look on Alma Tatem’s face when softball legend Jennie Finch announced her name told the whole story. Tatem, a 17-year-old high school senior and West Bloomfield, Mich., native, was named named 2021's final recipient of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex on Saturday afternoon surrounded by her Softball Breakthrough Series teammates.

The award, presented by ARM & HAMMER, celebrates four young women each year who demonstrate positive characteristics through their participation in several MLB-led softball programs. Winners receive a $10,000 college scholarship as well as a trip to the 2021 World Series, where they will be recognized prior to a game.

“I was completely shocked,” Tatem said of her reaction when Finch called out her name. “I was amazed. I was absolutely honored to just be here in the first place with all of these excellent players. I’ve grown up watching all of these players play and do what they do, and I just want to be exactly like that. I just thought it was amazing to be right there with them. Getting an award from Jennie Finch herself was amazing.”

Winners were selected by an MLB blue-ribbon panel that included Finch, whose accolades include being an Olympic Gold Medalist, NCAA Women’s College World Series Champion and MLB Youth Softball Ambassador. Student-athletes who best exemplified powerful characteristics such as leadership, motivation, commitment, humility and integrity were bestowed the honor.

“It’s a dream, truly, to be able to recognize [these young women] and to be a part of this program and this award and for these young girls to see that people see them, people care, and it’s not the most elite athlete, it’s so much more than that, it’s character,” Finch said. "That speaks volumes.”

Tatem, who attends West Bloomfield High School, has been playing ball since the age of 3 and has a deep love of the game that she shares with local youth in her community. You can often find her volunteering with the U14 team back home, as well as helping the youngest prospects in her city develop their game.

“It just feels so amazing to get recognized for all of the work that I’ve done within the softball community,” Tatem said. “I’ve been pushing so hard, going to practices, doing all of the work that I can -- I just think it’s so rewarding to be here in the first place. I love the game of softball so much that I want to teach it to younger kids and have them see the game the way I do and love it as much as I do. I want to inspire.”

Finch said that Tatem is a perfect example of what she looks for in an Empowerment Award recipient.

“Alma is a great teammate, she thinks of others before she thinks of herself, [and] she gives back to her community,” Finch said. “And I think for these girls to come experience this and then go back in their own communities and share those things, that’s where the magic happens. We’re not only touching these [38] girls’ lives, but the lives that they’re going to be able to touch from it, and that’s what Alma exemplifies and what a thrill it was today to honor her.”

Tatem and her father, Edwin, shared an emotional moment together on the field after the shock and awe of the announcement wore off.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I was just happy to be here and to see them treating the girls this well. I would have never dreamed of [Alma] winning.

“Alma is very persistent. She likes to try new things, she’s courageous, and she’s always in the community doing things like feeding the hungry. She’s unselfish and a great student as well. I think the world of her. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter."

Tatem, who is a force with a bat in her hands, is still searching for a college to attend next year. She said what she’ll take away most from the Breakthrough Series is advice on how to balance the mental aspect of the game and ways to become a more well-rounded hitter.

Finch, along with an impressive lineup of instructors that include Olympic Gold medalist Natasha Watley, NCAA Softball all-time home run leader Lauren Chamberlain and myriad others that boast impressive resumes, worked with the 38 high school student-athletes to help prepare them for the next level. The coaching group is visibly passionate about making a difference for the girls on and off the field.

“Seeing Alma embrace her dad after winning the award was so special. You see the tears start to fall, and you realize how important this moment is to them,” Chamberlain said.

Added Finch: “When I think of empower, I think of passing the baton and equipping the next generation and sharing our journey and our stories -- the good, the bad, the ugly -- to help theirs be a little bit smoother and to open the doors for them. Hopefully, these weekends like [the] Breakthrough Series do that for these young girls.”