Five local high school student-athletes are being honored for their academic and athletic achievements.

Ilio DiPaolo's Restaurant in Blasdell held its 23rd annual Ilio DiPaolo scholarship dinner Monday.

It honors student-athletes who excel academically while contributing to their family and community, all traits that were important to Italian wrestler Ilio DiPaolo before his death in 1995.

Each student walked away with $2,500 toward their education.

"Since our inception we've given away well over $1 million,” said Bud Carpenter, president of the scholarship fund. “That goes for student athletes, students that are less fortunate, the Center for Handicapped Children, organizations like that. We've also donated to the neonatal care unit at Children's Hospital and now the Oishei Foundation."

The scholarships are funded by the annual Ilio DiPaolo’s Memorial Celebrity Golf Classic, the restaurant's Celebrity Chef Dinner, as well as proceeds from the restaurant's products sold in local grocery stores.