|
 | 
Texas Tennis Foundation Awards Dollars for Texas Scholars
The Texas Tennis Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of its 2005 college scholarships as well as the Texas recipients of 2005 USTA Tennis & Education Foundation scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to ambitious and worthy graduating high school students who have an interest in tennis, excelled academically, participated in a USTA or other organized tennis program, performed significant community service, and have a desire to obtain a higher education, but are in significant need of financial aid. High school students who will be entering college and college students who are in good standing at their respective college or university, who are U.S. citizens, and who live in Texas are eligible and may apply.
In 1983, The Ben T. Ball Scholarship Fund was initially set-up and funded by an anonymous donor in honor of Ben Ball, as a tribute to what he has done for the youth of the state of Texas in tennis. Ben, at that time, was the Executive Director of the Texas Tennis Association. This year’s scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to Uthala Abdullah of Clarendon, Texas.
In 1981, The Harold Green Endowment Fund was created by Harold Green in recognition of the Texas Tennis Foundation’s mission of promoting tennis for all ages, through many and varied programs and of its support of the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. In 1990, the Executive Committee of the Texas Tennis Association created The Harold Green Scholarship Fund, which is funded by proceeds from The Harold Green Endowment Fund and donations from patrons of the Texas Tennis Foundation. This year’s scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to Amina Abdullah of Clarendon, Texas.
The Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Scholarship was created and funded by the Board of Trustees of the Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame in order to expand the outreach of the museum and Hall of Fame in assisting with the education of a Texas tennis player. The first recipient of this scholarship is Phillip Hamilton of Ore City, Texas.
The Texas Tennis Foundation, in an effort to deliver a positive message to the youth of Texas about the benefits of tennis and education, has again chosen to award eight additional $1,000 scholarships. It is the Foundation’s belief that the scholarship program, through tennis and education, will help young people to succeed in life, both on and off the court. The 2005 scholarships are awarded to Margaret Nicole Banks of Cedar Hill, Texas; Elvis J. Granados of Chillicothe, Texas; Rebekah J. Harris of Fairfield, Texas; Houston Jimenez of Alamo, Texas; Kristin Reddoch of Van Vleck, Texas; Jose Angel Resendez, Jr. of Port Arthur, Texas; Rana Segura of Jourdanton, Texas; and Ruby Lee-Ann Zamora of Karnes City, Texas.
The USTA Tennis & Education Foundation and MassMutual Foundation for Hartford, Inc. (MassMutual Foundation) partnered to award $5,000 scholarships to 35 high school seniors across the U.S. Selection by the USTA Tennis & Education Foundation from applicants was on the basis of their commitment to academic success, their local community, and the game of tennis. The Texas recipients of these scholarships for 2005 are Veronica Hernandez of Laredo, Texas and Jennifer Shyu of Houston, Texas.
USTA Tennis & Education Foundation College Educational Scholarships, in the amount of $6,000 over 4 years, were awarded to high school seniors who have excelled academically and participated extensively in organized tennis programs such as USA school tennis, NJTL, USA Team Tennis or USA Tennis High Performance. The Texas recipients are Michael Freeman of Houston, Texas; Amanda Hinders of Canyon, Texas; and Zuleyma Rogel of Amarillo, Texas.
Congratulations go out to all the 2005 Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship Program recipients. More bio information will be available at the Texas Tennis Foundation’s website in July. A special thanks to the member of the 2005 Scholarship Awards Committee for their time and effort spent during the selection process.
Learn about the Scholarship Winners from their bios:
|
|
| |
Amina Abdullah
Throughout Amina’s middle and high school educational life, she and her twin sister were involved in tennis practicing not only with the junior high team but sometimes with the high school team. This enabled Amina’s game to grow. In her sophomore year the twins decided to team up and play doubles, which proved to be a winning idea. They won state UIL 1A Championship both their sophomore and junior years and lost at Regionals their senior year. Amina graduated 12th in her senior class at Clarendon High School. She received the Harold Green Scholarship and is planning to attend Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas where she will be pursuing a general studies curriculum her freshman year.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Uthala Abdullah
The other part of the first set of twins ever to be awarded scholarships by the Texas Tennis Foundation has an impressive background also. Both girls were taught initially by their father. Uthala has a great inner desire to help people in all walks of their lives. The same stats as published in the above paragraph for Amina are claimed by Uthala as they were not only a team at birth but a doubles team in competition. Uthala graduated 4th in 2005 senior class at Clarendon High School and her educational plans are center around pre-medicine with a desire to become a surgeon. Uthala received the Ben T. Ball Scholarship and will also be attending Seward County Community College in Liberal, Kansas.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Margaret Nicole Banks
A very goal oriented person who professes that her educational goals are tied to tennis. Upon graduating from high school, she wants to play tennis in college while seeking a degree in Mass Communication and a minor in business. Nicole has volunteered in the community at Methodist Health Center as well as helping teach kids to play tennis. Within Cedar Hill ISD, Nicole is considered a tutor and a mentor due her assistance to elementary school teachers within the district. Nicole received a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship and will be attending Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Elvis J. Granados
Elvis started his tennis career in the 7th grade. After playing doubles both his freshman and sophomore years and qualifying for the regional tournament, Elvis and his partner lost in the semi-finals of state UIL in 2004. Not letting his small rural community background hold him back, Elvis’ educational goals are to attend Boston College, attain a degree in business, and become a successful businessman in life. He is not new to hard work or overcoming obstacles in life; therefore, with a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship to assist him, he is now on his way to posting a victory in life.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Phillip Hamilton
“Work for what you want” has been the focus centered within Phillip. His teachers consider him an extremely dedicated student who likes to compete in academics as well as on the tennis court. Phillip has persevered through many family hardships that have made him stronger and more determined to succeed in life. Tennis has been the outlet that enforces the ideals he can relate to. He feels that as it takes effort and hard work to learn and stay on top of his game. It also takes the same dedication and hard work to gain the education and knowledge necessary to accomplish your dreams and goals. Phillip graduated at the top of his class and will now attend the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, major in computer science, minor in musical arts, and take advantage of the college work program available within his major field of study. He was chosen to receive the second ever Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Scholarship awarded.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Rebekah J. Harris
A graduate of Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Texas, Rebekah has been very active in her community by volunteering in many capacities. She has taken time to develop her personal skills in reading, writing, and public speaking and wants to become a lawyer. Through the years of playing tennis, Rebekah has developed an appreciation for the sport and continues to play. “Work hard and make the right choices in life” has been instilled in her as a success plan. Rebekah’s educational goals include receiving a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and post graduate work towards either a Master’s degree or Law degree. Rebekah has been awarded a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship to assist her in reaching her dreams.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Houston Jimenez
Challenges both on and off the court are not new to Houston. As captain of the tennis team at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North High School, he led his team to the regional playoffs last fall in Corpus Christi. Highlights of his tennis activities thus far include qualifying for the regional UIL tournament during his junior year and with his partner advancing to the Texas Athletic Amateur Federation State competition in Boys’ 18 Doubles. Houston was force to balance his school and tennis activities with supporting his family. Despite his personal tribulation, he graduated in the top 10% of his class and will be attending Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. By seeking a degree in Environmental Design, Houston will fulfill the dreams of himself and his family by becoming the first to go to college. To assist Houston in his endeavor, he was award a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Kristin Reddoch
Being recognized as the Most Valuable Girl’s Tennis Player two years in a row by her peers is truly an accomplishment for Kristin. Not only has she qualified for the UIL Regional Tournament in tennis for 3 years, Kristin has also participated in the Van Vleck High School band, played varsity volleyball, competed at state in Girl’s Power-lifting, selected and attended Girl’s State, been selected for membership in the National Honor Society, and graduated at the top of her class. Kristin has also found time to do community service activities ranging from blood drives and food drive to walk-a-thons. She plans on attending the University of Houston in Houston, Texas to pursue a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Kristin is a recipient for a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Jose Angel Resendez, Jr.
While attending Memorial High School in Port Arthur, Texas, Jose lettered in varsity tennis winning the UIL District meet his freshman year. Since then, he has lettered every year and was recently named to the All-State Academic Tennis Team for 2005. A member of the National Honor Society, he was a co-leader of the school’s Academic Decathlon Team, co-captain of the Quiz Bowl & Challenge Team, and graduated 8th in his class of 543 students. During Jose’s senior year, he has completed 18 accredited hours of college courses at Lamar State College and plans on attending Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Florida. His educational goals include an Associate degree in Marketing, Bachelors in Management, and a Masters in Business Administration. Jose was awarded a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Rana Segura
Rana played both tennis and volleyball for Jourdanton High School in Jourdanton, Texas. Additional school activities found Rana volunteering in fundraising and community service projects through the Spanish Club and the Future Career Community Leaders of America. Rana’s educational plans include attending Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas and studying to become an athletic trainer. Upon gradating, she plans to take post graduate course to attain a Masters in physical therapy. Rana will receive assistance through a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship.
Back to Top
|
|
| |
Ruby Lee-Ann Zamora
Education is at the center of Ruby’s life. From a very young age, she dreamed of becoming an architect and even started designing houses. However, Ruby’s severe allergic reactions to many different foods quickly convinced her to change her career path towards becoming an allergy and immunology specialist. Ruby has prepared herself well by being involved in all areas of her high school including leadership in the school’s Rotary Interact club, cheerleading squad, student council, and National Honor Society; participating in band, tennis, golf, softball, volleyball, and track; volunteering in the community with blood drives and church projects; and finishing 4th in her graduating class. In order to attain her ultimate career goal, Ruby has applied and been accepted to the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. With the aid of a Texas Tennis Foundation Scholarship, she will be pursuing a degree in Biology in preparation for medical school.
Back to Top
|
|
| 
|
