USPTA and ThanksUSA Name Scholarship Recipients
November 7, 2017
Lake Nona, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2017) — The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and ThanksUSA are pleased to announce 2017-2018 Scholarship Recipients. Through the Tennis Thanks the Troops campaign, USPTA and ThanksUSA encourage USPTA professionals to raise money for scholarships given to the families of U.S. military personnel. Each recipient will be awarded a $3,000 scholarship towards their undergraduate studies.
“We are proud of our continuing partnership with Tennis Thanks the Troops and the opportunity to provide scholarships to the dependents of those who protect our freedoms through these scholarships,” said Chuck Gill, USPTA President. “We thank our USPTA professionals that continue to donate and raise awareness for Tennis Thanks the Troops.”
The 2017-2018 Scholarship Recipients are: Emily Cluen, Marine Corps dependent, Appalachian State University; Meghan Duffey, Air Force dependent, Mercer University; Moira Viviano, Navy spouse, San Diego State University
“The children and spouses of our military may not wear the uniform, but they serve our country alongside our soldiers, through deployments, transfers and educational and career challenges,” said Bob Okun, Chair and CEO of ThanksUSA. “The USPTA, through its continued support for our scholarships, tournaments and fundraising efforts, recognizes their sacrifices and is helping forge brighter futures for our military families.”
Since 2006, ThanksUSA has awarded over 4,200 scholarships which value at more than $13 million. Funds raised support ThanksUSA’s mission of providing need-based scholarships for college, technical and vocational school, to the children and spouses of military men and women.
“The USPTA’s support of ThanksUSA’s mission to provide need-based scholarships for the children and spouses of our servicemen and women is a profound statement of its gratitude to all our troops and their families for their daily sacrifices,” said Jean Pletchette, the organization’s Director of Tennis Thanks the Troops. “The sport itself, with USPTA’s leadership, has also provided military families, including the wounded, opportunities to reach healthier bodies and minds through exercise, camaraderie and the challenges of the game.”