For Release: Upon Receipt Chris Lang Virginia State Golf Association Website: vsga.org Email: [email protected] April 29, 2021
VSGA-VIP SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION TO DISTRIBUTE $91,500 TO 31 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Link to 2021 Recipient Recognition Page on VSGA.org
MIDLOTHIAN — Twenty-eight high-school seniors and three graduate students in the turfgrass research program at Virginia Tech were among 31 scholars honored as the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation announced its 2021 award recipients.
The Foundation provides grants and gifts for scholarships, scientific and educational research, and other charitable purposes. This year’s grants total $91,500 and since being launched, the program has distributed nearly $2.6 million to 1,054 students.
“It is with great pleasure that we recognize some of the best and brightest students from throughout the Commonwealth,” VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation president Michael Millen said. “Although the size of this year’s applicant pool was a bit smaller than normal, the overall quality of the group was very strong. We proudly congratulate this year’s 31 award recipients and thank all our participating clubs and VIP cardholders for their generous support in 2020.”
Funding for scholarships is generated primarily from the sale of the VSGA VIP Golf Card, and Virginia high school seniors with an interest in golf are eligible to apply. Students are evaluated based on academic achievement, character, community involvement and an essay on the impact of golf on the applicant’s life.
For the second straight year, award recipients are being honored virtually as no in-person VSGA Day was scheduled for 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. At the top of this release, you’ll find a link to a VSGA.org page recognizing the students.
2021 grants include the 21st C. Dan Keffer Award, which goes to an individual in honor of the former VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation Committee Chairman. This year’s recipient was Ashburn’s Jonah Han, who attends Independence High School.
Other 2021 grants include the Spencer-Wilkinson award, which draws from a fund formed by Debbie Spencer and Mary Nell Wilkinson. Since its formation more than 20 years ago, 55 young women have received Spencer-Wilkinson scholarships. This year’s award went to Albemarle High School’s Mia Liang.
The Red Speigle Award, named in honor of the late longtime teaching professional from the Peninsula area, was given to Portsmouth’s Matthew McEwen, who attends Churchland High School. The David A. King Award, which the senior amateur golfer established in 2002, went to Kaushal Kambham of Centreville, who attends Chantilly High School. The Richard Smith Award, given in remembrance of the VSGA’s longtime director of championships and supporter of junior golf, went to Quint Dingledine of Richmond, who attends Monacan High School.
2021 VSGA-VIP SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
Jonah Han (Ashburn/Independence HS) — $7,000 including the C. Dan Keffer Award
• Class rank: 2 of 257 | GPA: 4.64 • Golf Involvement: Golf team: captain junior year, MVP sophomore year; All-County honorable mention • Extracurricular Activities: Viola: Artist level orchestra, 1st chair violist; All-Country Orchestra; National Honor Society; Independent Science Research; Patent Development and Submission (individually filed a US Patent for an invention idea in sophomore year); Quantum Computing C • Volunteer Activities: Christian Youth Group - volunteer for church community outreach events; Trained and volunteered for mission trip to Dominion Republic • Honors/Awards: 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist; Honor Roll; Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute (2019); Young Entrepreneurs Academy (2017-18) - Runner-Up for small-business competition for creating and developing a child-safety tracking device • Academic Interests: NanoTechnology/NanoEngineering, Materials Science and Engineering/Materials Engineering, Quantum Mechanics/Artificial Intelligence • College: University of California, Berkeley • VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Mia Liang (Charlottesville/Albemarle HS) — $7,000, including the Spencer-Wilkinson Award
• GPA: 4.72 • Golf Involvement: Golf team, past member of VSGA Junior Golf Circuit • Extracurricular Activities: Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking; Varsity Crew; Key Club; Piano. • Work Experience: Intern, SmileEyes; Founder, small business selling artwork with a portion of proceeds donated to Black Lives Matter organization • Volunteer Activities: Key Club • Honors/Awards: National AP Scholar with Distinction; 2nd Place Piedmont Regional Science Fair; Scholastic Art and Writing Gold Key Recipient; Congressional Art Competition Winner; National Honor Society; National Honor Society for: English, Science, French, Art and Math • Academic Interests: Math, Art • College: MIT
Kaushal Kambham (Centreville/Chantilly HS) — $5,000, including the David A. King Award
• GPA: 4.40 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team – Captain; past member VSGA Junior Golf Circuit • Extracurricular Activities: Investment Club - President; Indoor Drumline; Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars; Federal Economics Challenge Team; Distributive Education Club of America (Finance); Astronomy Club • Volunteer Activities: Chantilly Writing Center Tutor; Physics and Engineering Club Tutor • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Exploravision Honorable Mention; National AP Scholar; AP Scholar with Distinction • Academic Interests: Business (Finance), Economics, Physics, Engineering • Potential Colleges: Univ of Virginia, Virginia Tech, William & Mary, Univ of Pennsylvania, Univ of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon Univ, Univ of California LA, Univ of California Berkeley, Georgetown Univ Matthew McEwen (Portsmouth/Churchland HS) — $5,000, including the Red Speigle Award
• Class Rank: 1 of 352 | GPA: 4.48 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; VSGA and other competitive golf • Extracurricular Activities: Baseball; Swimming; Class President; Prom Committee; Advanced Orchestra; Modeling & Simulation Club; SCA; Homecoming Court; Bible Study Club • Volunteer Activities: Summer Junior Golf Camps, The Links at City Park; YMCA Youth Basketball Coach; CES Santa Breakfast; CLL Tryouts & Field Work; Regional Chorus; STEM Day; Jackson Memorial Youth Group; worked as a cart boy at Bide-A-Wee GC • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; National Social Studies Honor Society; National English Honor Society; Virginian Pilot Scholastic Team; AP Scholar with Distinction; Principal's List; Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Award; "A" Honor Roll; Boys' State; Tri-M Music Ho • Academic Interests: Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics • College: University of Virginia • VSGA Member: Bide-A-Wee GC, VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Quint Dingledine (Richmond/Monacan HS) — $5,000, including the Richard Smith Award
• Class Rank: 25 of 331 | GPA: 4.60 • Golf Involvement: Golf team; MVP all four years of HS; VHSL All Region (2018 & 20); VHSL All State (2020); All Richmond Metro Golf (2020); Helps father coach local PGA Jr. team • Extracurricular Activities: Recreational sports • Volunteer Activities: AJGA Leadership Links (2019) - provides competitive junior golfers with the framework and tools to raise money for a charitable cause (selected to support Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - raised over $3,500); The Doorways Meal Crew (2018) • Honors/Awards: Distinguished Honor Roll (all As; 2018-20); Monacan High School Scholar Athlete (2018-20) • Academic Interests: Engineering or Economics • College: Lafayette College • VSGA Member: Stonehenge Golf & Country Club, VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Tess Petersen (Toano/Banner Christian School) — $5,000
• Class Rank: 1 of 24 | GPA: 4.41 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team • Extracurricular Activities: Piano; Private Pilot Flight Training; Sorenson Institute of High School Leaders; Student Body President; BLAST STEM Conference at ODU; Governor's School Math Science Innovation Center; High School Leadership Team; Health Career Explorers Club at VCU Medic • Volunteer Activities: R.F. Wilkinson YMCA Leaders' Club - VP; Junior Volunteer Sentara Hospital Williamsburg; Chick-fil-A Academy; Richmond Fisher House; English, Math, Spanish Tutor; Bible Buddies • Honors/Awards: Private Pilot's License; National Honor Society; Honors Performing Arts Team; Williamsburg Aviation Scholarship Program Winner; Chad Weaver Aviation Scholarship Winner; Sorenson Institute High School Leaders Program; National Poetry Publications; AP Scholar • Academic Interests: Aeronautics • Potential Colleges: Washington & Lee, Virginia Tech, Christopher Newport Univ, Randolph- Macon, Univ of Richmond, Liberty Univ • VSGA Member: VISAA Chas Funk (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes HS) — $4,000
• Class Rank: 5 of 470 | GPA: 4.54 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team • Extracurricular Activities: Ping Pong Club; Junior Classical League; KidWind; Latin Convention; OLHS Leadership Workshop; SCA General Assembly; Ocean Lakes Spikeball Club; Chemistry Club; Work Experience: Soccer Referee; Caddie, Princess Anne CC; Outside Operations, Signature Golf Club • Volunteer Activities: Food Bank; Standard Bearer at LPGA Kingsmill; Standard Bearer at PGA Dominion Energy Charity Classic; Special Olympics; SPCA; Roc Solid Foundation Playground Build; Scott Taylor 2020 Congressional Campaign • Honors/Awards: Dedicated Dolphin (AP Latin, Health and Physical Education, AP Chemistry); KidWind HS Eastern VA 1st Place; KidWind National HS Rookie of the Year; KidWind HS Eastern VA 2nd Place; Principal's List; Silver Presidential Volunteer Service Award; National Ju • Academic Interests: Human Anatomy/Physiology, Statistics, Calculus, Chemistry, Biology • College: University of Virginia • VSGA Member: Heron Ridge GC Abby Krug (Fairfax Station/Robinson HS) — $4,000
• GPA: 4.50 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team • Extracurricular Activities: Basketball team; Soccer team; Principal Advisory Council; Editor in Chief of Yearbook; Peer Leader; Half Full Club (Leader); Work Experience: Mathnasium, Math Tutor; Burke & BRYC Soccer, Referee; Burke Basketball, Referee • Volunteer Activities: National Charity League • Honors/Awards: IB Diploma Candidate; Dual-Enrollment NOVA; Academic Excellence Award; National Honor Society; Math Honor Society; Elmira College Key Award; National Merit Commended Scholar; All "A" Honor Roll; Athletic Honor Roll • Academic Interests: Computer Science, Mathematics, Yearbook, Calculus • College: University of Virginia • VSGA Member: CC of Fairfax Matthew Tan (Oakton/St. Paul VI Catholic HS) — $4,000
• Class Rank: 5 of 193 GPA: 4.47 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; Team Captain; Scholar Athlete Award; VSGA events; Past member, VSGA Junior Golf Circuit • Extracurricular Activities: Cross Country, Team Captain; Student Newspaper, Sports Editor; Student Ambassador Executive Board; Basketball; Math League; Work Experience: Players' Assistant, CC of Fairfax • Volunteer Activities: Basketball Camp Volunteer Coach; Leport Schools Volunteer • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Semi- Finalist; Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Medal; Scholar Athlete Academic Achievement Award; Head of School Scholarship; Principal's Honor Roll; Excellence in Math- Calculus • Academic Interests: Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics • College: University of Virginia Allison Douglas (Covington/Covington HS) — $2,500
• Class Rank: 1 of 63 | GPA: 4.13 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team - Captain grades 10-12, First Team All-District, First Team All- Region, Qualified for girls state open (first golfer from Covington HS to advance to a state championship in 25 years); JGC events • Extracurricular Activities: Basketball; Soccer; Indoor Track; Drum Major; All-Area Band; Beta Club; Student Council Secretary; Model General Assembly; Academic Bowl; Spanish Club; Work Experience: Golf Service Attendant, The Greenbrier • Volunteer Activities: Camp Counselor, Alleghany County 4-H; Acolyte, Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church; 4-H Environmental Education Trip to Dominican Republic; Standard Bearer, PGA Greenbrier Classic; Community Service Projects through Model General Assembly • Honors/Awards: Attends Jackson River Governor's School; Career Studies Certificate; Covington Scholar Award; Distinguished Covington Scholar Award; Duke University Talent Identification Program • Academic Interests: Biomedical Engineering • Potential Colleges: University of Virginia, Catholic, Rose-Hulman, Washington and Lee, Earlham, Mount Union, Allegheny, Arcadia, Emory and Henry, Lynchburg, Coe, Macalester, LSU, Tennessee • VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Bella Graber (Midlothian/James River HS) — $2,500
• Class Rank: 46 of 443 | GPA: 4.59 • Golf Involvement: Recreational Golfer; served as a junior golf camp counselor at The Golf Club at The Highlands where she has also worked in the golf shop • Extracurricular Activities: Junior Class Secretary; FC Junior Board of Directors Member; Key Club - President; Assistant Soccer Coach; Rapid Rowdies; PEACE Club; Serving Up Rapid Freshness; Spanish Club; Psychology Club; Work Experience: Carhop, Sonic Drive-In; Operation Celebration, • Volunteer Activities: 1st Grade Teaching Assistant, Robious Elementary; Cookies for Kids' Cancer Volunteer • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Distinguished Honor Roll; AP Scholar; Beta Club • Academic Interests: Business, Pre-Law • College: University of Virginia Abbi Green (Elkton/East Rockingham HS) — $2,500
• Class Rank: 9 of 149 | GPA: 4.11 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; All-District; Sportsmanship Award • Extracurricular Activities: Stage Crew/Stage Manager for school productions; Scholastic Bowl Team; Librarians in Training Club; Mountain View 4-H Club (Secretary); Student Council Association; Class Officer Junior & Senior Years; Work Experience: Veterinary Assistant, Green Meadows • Volunteer Activities: Library Volunteer at Elkton Community Library (grades 8-12); Volunteer with 4-H Club • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Einstein Award for Excellence in Science; Spanish Medallion Award; Math Medallion Award; Sportsmanship Award • Academic Interests: Undecided • College: Radford University • VSGA Member: Massanutten Resort, VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Madison Taggart (Ashburn/Rock Ridge HS) — $2,500
• Class Rank: 92 of 353 | GPA: 4.24 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; Loudoun Junior Golf Association; Mid-Atlantic PGA; VSGA • Extracurricular Activities: Battle of the Books Club; Science Olympiads; Writer for school newspaper; Built website to raise awareness about construction pollution • Volunteer Activities: Assistant golf coach for Special Olympics; Loudoun County Library; Ringing in Hope; IMPASTABLE Tutoring Program • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; National Science Honor Society; Rock Ridge Reacher Fellowship Award; National Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, Two-time Gold Key Recipient Award; "It's All Write" Short Story Writing Contest, Award Finalist • Academic Interests: Biology, Medical Sciences, Journalism • College: Baylor University • VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Gresham Wall (Virginia Beach/Cox HS) — $2,500
• Class Rank: 1 of 448 | GPA: 4.78 • Golf Involvement: Recreational Golf • Extracurricular Activities: Student Council Executive Board - VP, 12; Treasurer, 11; Class VIP 9th & 10th grade; Teen Hoyt Club; Leadership Workshop; Soccer - Captain; Indoor Futsal Captain; Basketball; Work Experience: Created Used Golf Ball Business, Mulligan's Balls • Volunteer Activities: Operation Smile; Boo Bash; Love Run; Falcon Fest Student Ambassador Leader; Meals for homeless using money made during summer job; #Lunch Bag for the Homeless Fundraiser; Hoodies for the Holidays for Underprivileged Children at nearby elementary school • Honors/Awards: Candidate for AP Capstone Diploma; Jefferson Book Award; Featured in the Northender Magazine; Principal's List; Virginian-Pilot Scholastic Achievement Team; Rho Kappa Honor Society; National Honor Society; English Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society • Academic Interests: Mathematics, Science, Biomedical Engineering • Potential Colleges: University of Virginia, Harvard Kristen Waltman (Colonial Heights/Colonial Heights HS) — $2,500
• Class Rank: 5 of 204 | GPA: 4.48 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; Zone Qualifier State Tournament • Extracurricular Activities: Student Council Association (VP, 12th grade; Secretary, 11th grade; Senator, 9th & 10th grades); Superintendent Student Advisory Council; CHHS Student Ambassador; Students Organized for Developing Attitudes; RVA Dance Collective Jr Company; J'adore Dance • Volunteer Activities: Church youth leader; Junior Optimist International; Colonial Heights High School Volunteer-A-Thon; Dunlap House Assisted Living; High School Academic Peer Tutor; Colonial Heights Education Foundation • Honors/Awards: George Eastman Young Leaders Award; Volunteer Service Award; National Honor Society; National Spanish Honor Society; Science National Honor Society; National English Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; National Beta Club • Academic Interests: Kinesiology, Dance, Exercise Science • College: James Madison University Nicole Chang (Midlothian/Clover Hill HS) — $2,000
• GPA: 4.70 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; First Tee • Extracurricular Activities: Forensics/Speech Team; Swift Creek YMCA Leaders' Club; Wall Talk; Clover Hill HS Morning Announcements; Math and Science High School Ambassador; Clover Hill Freshman Mentoring; CHHS Student Class Council; Work Experience: First Tee of Richmond, Pro- Shop Attendant • Volunteer Activities: YMCA Leaders' Club; First Tee Junior Advisory Board • Honors/Awards: Honor Roll; YMCA Leaders' Club Community Service Award; YMCA Leader of the Year; Rotary Youth Leadership Award; National English Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; National History Honor Society; National Honor Society; Beta Club • Academic Interests: Finance, Business, Accounting, Professional Golf Management • College: University of Virginia • VSGA Member: First Tee - Greater Richmond
James Dacey (North Chesterfield/James River HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 27 of 443 | GPA: 4.72 • Golf Involvement: Recreational Golf; Co-Founder of Capstone Golf Tournament to Benefit Veterans and Athletes United • Extracurricular Activities: Volleyball; Beta Club; Work Experience: Maintenance Crew, Providence Golf Club; Head Lifeguard, Smoketree Pool • Volunteer Activities: Veterans and Athletes United; Ronald McDonald House; Houlagans Rest Animal Rescue; English Speaker of Other Languages Welcome through Chesterfield County; Impact Mission Trips; Vacation Bible School Teacher; CARITAS (Christian Charity) • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; World Language Honor Society • Academic Interests: Business Marketing, Environmental Science • College: James Madison University Kali Durham (Big Stone Gap/John I. Burton HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 2 of 62 | GPA: 4.31 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team • Extracurricular Activities: Marching Band; Softball; DECA; Future Business Leaders of America; Book Club; Prom Committee; Thin-Sat/Robotics Club; Work Experience: Babysitting, Dog Sitting, Cleaned houses • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Earned Associate's Degree through dual enrollment classes with local community college • Academic Interests: Psychology • College: Saint Leo University Wil Gardner (Ridgeway/Patrick Henry HS) — $2,000
• GPA: 4.30 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; Captain (2018-21); First Team All-District (2017-19); First Team All-Region (2019); District Player of the Year (2019) • Extracurricular Activities: Basketball team - JV (2017-19), Varsity (2019-21), Co-Captain (2020- 21); 4H Teen Club; Career Technical Education Advisory Council; Intern at Public Service Authority; SODA Member; Upward Basketball Coach and Referee • Volunteer Activities: Christmas Cheer; 4H Teen Program; FUMC Food Bank; Homeless Shelter Volunteer; 4H Mentor Program • Honors/Awards: Beta Club; National Honor Society; Phi Theta Kappa • Academic Interests: Math and Engineering • College: Virginia Tech • VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Daniel Goode (Wytheville/George Wythe HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 25 of 120 | GPA: 3.50 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team • Extracurricular Activities: Basketball; Work Experience: Wytheville GC Maintenance Crew • Honors/Awards: All-District and All-Region, grades 9-11; All-State, grades 9 & 11 • Academic Interests: Business Administration, Banking and Finance • College: Radford University • VSGA Member: Wytheville GC Ryan Lemmon (Virginia Beach/Cox HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 13 of 448 | GPA: 4.46 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team • Extracurricular Activities: Swim Team; Yearbook; Key Club; DECA; Wycliffe Youth Group; Work Experience: Prep Cook & Dishwasher, Coastal Grill • Volunteer Activities: #Lunchbag; Key Club; Youth Group • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; National Science Honor Society; National Social Studies Honor Society; WISE Financial Literacy Certification; National Retail Federation Certification; CPR Certified; Principal's Coin (academic and athletic excellence) • Academic Interests: Finance, Economics • College: University of Virginia • VSGA Member: Broad Bay CC Connor Lloyd (Winchester/Millbrook HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 4 of 336 | GPA: 4.30 • Golf Involvement: Recreational Golf • Extracurricular Activities: Soccer; Engineering STEAM Group; Cybersecurity Team - Captain; Work Experience: Outdoor Assistant, Winchester CC • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; 1st Place Frederick County Science Fair; 2nd Place Shenandoah Valley Regional Science Fair; IEEE Technological Innovation Award; Microsoft Office Specialist Certification; Wise Financial Literacy Test • Academic Interests: Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science • College: Penn State University Olivia Minjack (Alexandria/The Madeira School) — $2,000
• GPA: 94.36 • Golf Involvement: VSGA; MAPGA; US Kids; Peggy Kirk Bell Golf Tour • Extracurricular Activities: Ballet - Washington School of Ballet; Russian School of Mathematics; Russian Language and Literature School in Moscow; Work Experience: Golf Shop Assistant, River Bend GC; Congressional Intern, US Congressman Mike Conaway; English-Language Instructor; Equestrian • Honors/Awards: Award for High Honors in Mathematical, Verbal or Spatial Ability; National History Day Competition Regional Champion; Maxima Cum Laude in National Latin Examination; UVA Summer Enrichment Program; Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive Program • Academic Interests: Applied Math (Statistics & Game Theory); International Relations; International Business • College: William & Mary • VSGA Member: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit
Grace Mowery (Rockingham/Turner Ashby HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 13 of 226 | GPA: 4.17 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team - Captain • Extracurricular Activities: Soccer; Equestrian; French Club - Senior Officer; Future Business Leaders of America - VP; Youth Group; Work Experience: Mowed neighbors' yards; Chick-fil-A • Volunteer Activities: Admissions and judging for arts/crafts during Rockingham County Fair; Bridgewater United Methodist Church • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Two-time Regional Medalist in FBLA competitions • Academic Interests: Mathematics, History, Foreign Language • College: Clemson University Hogan Schulze (Williamsburg/Jamestown HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 110 of 286 | GPA: 3.59 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team • Extracurricular Activities: Spanish Club; RAMPS Club; Youth Group; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Swimming; Ping Pong • Work Experience: Williamsburg National GC • Volunteer Activities: Missionary Work • Academic Interests: Physical Therapy • Potential Colleges: McDaniel College (Md.) • VSGA Member: Williamsburg National GC David Stanford (Oakton/Marshall HS) — $2,000
• GPA: 4.07 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team; Verbal commit to play golf at Virginia Tech; 2019 & 20 Junior Virginia/Carolinas Matches; 2020 VSGA Captain's Putter Matches Team Member; 2019 MAPGA Capital Cup Matches Team Virginia Member; Finalist at 2020 VSGA Amateur Championship • Extracurricular Activities: Math Club; Soccer; Ping Pong • Honors/Awards: 3-time Scholar Athlete • Academic Interests: Business, Mathematics • College: Virginia Tech • VSGA Member: Army Navy CC Akshitha Vemuru (Herndon/Oakton HS) — $2,000
• GPA: 4.20 • Golf Involvement: Golf Team, Past member of VSGA Junior Golf Circuit • Extracurricular Activities: Robotics Club; Technology Student Association Club; Steps for Humanity; Model United Nations Club; Work Experience: Founder & Camp Counselor, Virginia Debate Mun; Finance and Marketing Intern, Vedik Organic, Waitress & Cashier, Athidhi Authentic Indian Cuisine • Volunteer Activities: Special Olympics; Global Classrooms DC Volunteer; Local Political Campaigns • Honors/Awards: National AP Scholar; National Honor Society; TSA Regional 2nd Place in CAD; History Honor Society • Academic Interests: Economics, Finance, History • College: William & Mary and the University of St. Andrews through the Joint Degree Program Reagan Young (Chesapeake/Western Branch HS) — $2,000
• Class Rank: 91 of 492 | GPA: 3.77 • Golf Involvement: Junior golf program through club • Extracurricular Activities: Interact Club; Student Council Association; Volleyball; Work Experience: Marlin Swim Club, Snack Bar Attendant; Babysitting • Volunteer Activities: Volunteer through Interact Club • Honors/Awards: National Honor Society; Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Service Camp • Academic Interests: Business • College: James Madison University
TURFGRASS RESEARCH AWARDS
Caleb Henderson — $1,500 • M.S. candidate in Plant Pathology and Weed Science at Virginia Tech • 2018 graduate of the University of Central Missouri with a B.S. in Cellular and Biomedical Biology
Daewon Koo — $1,500 • Ph.D. candidate in Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science at Virginia Tech • Received M.S. in Crop Science from Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
Matthew Tucker — $1,500 • Ph.D. candidate in Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science at Virginia Tech • Received M.S. in Plant Pathology from Mississippi State University in 2020.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation has a program in place to accept gifts and memorials. Anyone interested in funding a named scholarship or contributing to the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation should contact the VSGA.
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