News

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – USTA Foundation, the national charitable foundation of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), today announced that it has granted 53 high school students a variety of college scholarships totaling $373,000.

One of the objectives of the USTA Foundation is to encourage children to pursue their goals and highest dreams by succeeding in school and becoming responsible citizens. Each year, the USTA Foundation awards scholarships to deserving youth who have participated in USTA and other organized youth tennis programs, have demonstrated high academic achievement and require financial assistance for college matriculation.

“The USTA Foundation is once again excited to award these hard-working, well-deserving seniors,” said Dan Faber, USTA Foundation Executive Director. “We are proud to contribute to their academic achievements, and look forward to their continued success.”

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 2015 recipient is Leigh Schlect of Sheboygan Falls, Wis.

Dwight F. Davis Memorial Scholarship (students each receive $10,000 award)

The Dwight F. Davis Memorial Scholarship is granted to two high school seniors who have performed with distinction and have actively participated in extracurricular activities, community service and an organized tennis program. The award is named for Dwight Filley Davis, who began playing tennis at the age of 15 in 1894. In 1900, the year he graduated from college, Davis purchased a commemorative silver bowl as a prize for an international lawn tennis competition, marking the birth of the Davis Cup. Davis became president of the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association in 1923. His grandson, Dwight F. Davis III, created the scholarship to honor his grandfather’s achievements and contributions to tennis. The 2015 recipients are Kelly Reger of Edina, Minn., and Peter Minton of Eau Claire, Wis.

Dwight Mosley Scholarship Award (students each receive $10,000 award)

The Dwight Mosley Scholarship is presented to two USTA-ranked high school seniors of ethnically diverse heritages who have excelled academically and participated extensively in an organized community tennis program. This scholarship was named in memory of Dwight A. Mosley, the first African-American elected to the USTA Board of Directors. The 2015 recipients are Nicole Kalhorn of Henderson, Nev.,and Brian Einstoss of Guaynabo, P.R.

Rosalind Walter Scholarship Award (students each receive $10,000 award)

The Rosalind Walter Scholarship is presented to two high school seniors who are academically achieving students of good character and who share Walter’s belief in always putting forth one’s best effort and in giving back to one’s community to make it a better place. The scholarship is named in honor of Rosalind Palmer Walter, an active member of the USTA Foundation Board since its inception. Walter was responsible for funding the first USTA Foundation scholarship in 1994. The 2015 recipients are Richard Martinez of San Antonio, Tex. and Kierra Robinson of Gaffney, S.C.

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 2015 recipients are Sarah Hinton of Downey, Calif., and Jonathan Hyman of Lynchberg, Va.

USTA Foundation College Education Scholarship (students each receive $8,000 award)

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. This year’s recipients are:

USTA Foundation College Textbook Scholarship (Students each receive $1,000)

USTA Foundation established a college textbook scholarship that provides a one-time award to assist students in purchasing textbooks or supplies. This year’s recipients are: