Several Texans recently received scholarships from the USTA Foundation
The USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), today announced that it has granted 32 high school students a variety of college scholarships totaling $310,000. Each year, the USTA Foundation awards scholarships to deserving youth who have participated in USTA and other organized youth tennis programs such as the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, have demonstrated high academic achievement and require financial assistance for college matriculation. This year, for the first time, all 32 scholarship recipients are from NJTL programs across the country. “During these challenging times, scholarships are more important than ever and the USTA Foundation is committed to supporting the educational journeys of these exceptional students who have proven their academic excellence and community service,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “We congratulate the 2020 award recipients on their path towards continued education and leadership through tennis.” The following scholarships will be granted to high school seniors: Marian Wood Baird Scholarship Award (student receives $15,000 award) Awarded to one high school senior who has excelled academically, demonstrated achievements in leadership and participated extensively in an organized community tennis program, the Marian Wood Baird Scholarship was created by the Baird family and named in honor of the late Marian Wood Baird, who had been recognized by the USTA for more than 40 years of volunteer service. The 2020 recipient is Daniela Padron-Castillo of Duncanville, Texas. Eve Kraft Education & College Scholarship (students receive $2,500 award) The Eve Kraft Education & College Scholarship is bestowed upon two high school seniors, one male and one female, who have excelled academically, meaningfully served their communities, played tennis in an organized program and who reside in an economically disadvantaged community. This scholarship is named in memory of Eve Kraft of Princeton, N.J., a tennis pioneer who introduced thousands of young people to tennis, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The 2020 recipients are Camille Blecher of College Station, Texas, and Martial Ddamba-Kawunde of Bowie, Md. Donald Lawson Tisdel Scholarship (students each receive $10,000 award) The USTA Foundation annually awards the college education scholarship to high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated community service and participated in an organized tennis program. In 2017, the USTA Foundation named its largest college scholarship fund The Donald Lawson Tisdel College Scholarship Fund. Tisdel was a passionate proponent for the sport and a staunch believer in the power of tennis and education to touch and enhance lives. These scholarships will be awarded annually to 20-25 high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated community service and participated in an organized tennis program such as National Junior Tennis and Learning. The winners from Texas are: Brian Hernandez, Corpus Christi, Tennis Success, Inc. Hanan Abafita, Houston, Zina Garrison Academy Silas Sandles, Waxahachie, Dallas Tennis and Education Academy Zoe Barton, Mansfield, Dallas Tennis & Education Academy