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RICHMOND — Thirty-four high-school seniors and two turfgrass students at Virginia Tech were among the 36 scholars honored as the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation announced its 2016 scholarship award recipients Monday at VSGA Day at Richmond Country Club.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships to Virginia high school students with an interest in golf (ability not important). Other criteria for the awards are academic achievement, character and community involvement.
This year’s grants total $100,000, including $4,000 that went to a pair of students studying turfgrass science in Blacksburg. Since being launched in 1984, the program has now distributed more than $2.1 million to 912 students. A portion of each VSGA VIP Golf Card sale helps fund the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation.
“This year’s award recipients are standouts not only in the classroom but also in their local communities,” VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation president Michael Millen said. “Collectively their academic accomplishments and community service have raised the bar for future classes of award recipients. It is with great pride that we recognize some of the best and brightest students from throughout the Commonwealth.”
The 2016 grants include the 16th 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 Glen Allen resident David Qin.
For the 22nd consecutive year, Spencer-Wilkinson awards, which draw from a fund formed by Debbie Spencer and Mary Nell Wilkinson, went to several young women with an interest in golf, giving them an opportunity to pursue college and career development. Amber Liu of Vienna was the top award recipient. Additional Spencer-Wilkinson grants went to Yancey Harrison of Ruckersville, Kathryn Cardenas of Stafford and Kelly Devens of Salem.
The Red Speigle Award, named in honor of the late longtime teaching professional and granted to a top applicant from the Peninsula, was given to Toano’s Max Peterson. The David A. King Award, which the senior amateur golfer established in 2002, went to Mahathi Kambham of Centreville.
The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation has a program in place to accept gifts and memorials. Anyone interested in naming a scholarship or contributing to the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation should contact the VSGA.
2016 VSGA-VIP SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
David Qin (Glen Allen/Mills Godwin High School) — $7,000, including the C. Dan Keffer Award: AP Scholar with Distinction … Math and Spanish Honor Society member … Ranked fifth in his class of 408 students at Mills Godwin … 5.02 GPA … Four-year starter and senior captain and MVP of golf team … Squad captured VHSL state titles in 2012 & 2014 … Member of Godwin’s first robotics team, math modeling team and aeronautics space association. … VSGA Junior Golf Circuit member. … Accomplished piano player who won first place in the Richmond Music Teachers Association Bach Competition … Also plays saxophone on the school’s concert band … Community service includes work with the Boys & Girls Club of Richmond, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital and as a counselor at both a summer basketball and chess camp … will attend the University of Richmond.
Amber Liu (Vienna/James Madison HS) — $7,000 Spencer-Wilkinson Award: 4.42 GPA. …. Student researcher on blood coagulation at Georgetown University … Has also done research on fire safety … won second place in Fairfax County Regional Science & Engineering Fair … Editor of school yearbook as well as layout editor for school’s literary arts magazine. … Received 2015 TR Cook Award of Excellence from the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna. … Junior Golf Camp Coach at Army Navy CC. … Participated in therapeutic riding program and also volunteered at Herndon Senior Center. … Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society member … Co-captain and four-year letterwinner on Madison’s coed golf team. … Won eight MAPGA junior golf events … Lost in a playoff in first VSGA Junior Golf Circuit Championship in 2015 … Will attend the University of Virginia.
Max Peterson (Toano/Banner Christian School) — $3,000, including the Red Speigle Award: Ranked No. 2 in his class at Banner Christian … 4.3 GPA … Member of the varsity golf, basketball and soccer teams as a senior … Member of the performing arts team and president as a senior … Member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCI) … ACSI high school leadership conference participant … Worked as golf attendant at Colonial Heritage Club … Four-time participant in the Blue Ridge Leaders’ School at Black Mountain, NC … AP Scholar … Junior Marshall … National Honor Society … YMCA 100 Hour Service Recognition … STEM conference attendee at UVA … Math tutor … Plays the piano and guitar … undecided on college choice
Mahathi Kambham (Centreville/Chantilly HS) — $3,000, including the David A. King Award: 4.37 GPA. … Member and co-captain of Chantilly’s varsity golf team … Participated in Future Business Leaders of America, DECA, Model UN and Math Honor Society … Carnatic Music lessons … Writing Center Tutor … Teaching assistant at Chantilly … AP Scholar and two-time regional winner at Science Fair … Former VSGA Junior Golf Circuit member … Community service includes work with Aarti Home for Girls and volunteering at the Chantilly Regional Library … Qualified for the VHSL Girls’ Regional Tournament as both a junior and senior … Will attend the University of Virginia.
Yancey Harrison (Ruckersville/William Monroe HS) — $3,000 Spencer-Wilkinson Award: Ranked fourth in her class at William Monroe with a 4.48 GPA … VSGA member at Greene Hills Club in Stanardsville … Member of the William Monroe varsity golf squad and team captain as a senior … Team captured 2012 state championship … Gymnastics instructor at The Little Gym of Charlottesville … President of the National Honor Society … Shadowed at PICU and NICU at the University of Virginia Hospital’s Heart Surgery Department … Member of BETA … Back-to-back Charlottesville Ladies City Golf Champion … Volunteer at the Regional Library as well as Mount Vernon United Methodist Church … Will attend Virginia Tech.
Kathryn Cardenas (Stafford/North Stafford HS) — $3,000 Spencer-Wilkinson Award: Ranked 13th in her graduating class with a 4.35 GPA … VSGA member at Army Navy Country Club … Member of the National Honor Society … Competed on North Stafford’s varsity golf team and was two-year captain … Squad placed second at regionals … Participated on the debate team at NSHS … Attended Virginia Girls State … Member of Future Business Leaders of America … Member of the Spanish Honor Society … UVA Jefferson Book Scholar … AP Scholar with Distinction … Did a Regional Governor’s School Mentorship at the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office … Organized a fundraiser to support wounded veterans through Birdies for the Brave … Will attend the University of Virginia.
Kelly Devens (Salem/Glenvar HS & Roanoke Valley Governor’s School) — $3,000 Spencer-Wilkinson Award: Ranked at the top of her class of 128 students at Glenvar with a 4.47 GPA … Member of Roanoke County Schools Student Advisory Council … Participated in Scholastic Bowl … Member of the Spanish Club … Participated in theater and was a member of the flim club at Glenvar … AP Scholar with Distinction … Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholar … Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory participant … Popular Mechanics magazine Breakthrough Award recipient … Two-time Grand Award Winner at Western Virginia Regional Science Fair … As a sophomore placed first in the Engineering category at the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair … Volunteer with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation … Will attend Stanford University.
John Blackwell (Roanoke/Patrick Henry HS & Roanoke Valley GS) — $3,000: Ranked 11th in his graduating class of 372 with a 4.45 GPA … Volunteered at The Greenbrier Classic … Volunteered at the Scott Robertson Memorial Tournament … Member of Patrick Henry’s varsity golf and three-year captain of lacrosse squad … National Honor Society … SGA Vice-President … BETA Club president … District intern for the Roanoke office of Congressman Bob Goodlatte … 2015 Grand Award Winner at Roanoke City Public Schools Science Fair … Wendy’s Male High School Heisman winner for the state of Virginia … Will attend the University of Virginia.
Ian Buchanan (Charlottesville/St. Anne’s-Belfield) — $3,000: 4.3 GPA … Member of STAB’s varsity golf team and three-year captain … 2015 VISAA All-State Golf Team member … Concert choir … Member of the varsity squash team … Member of the Investment Club … Upper School Student Advisory Committee to the Board of Trustees … Latin Club … AP Scholar with Distinction … NASA/Virginia Space Coast Scholars Program … VSGA member at Birdwood Golf Course and Meadowcreek Golf Course … Special Olympics volunteer … Volunteer for Christian Appalachian Project as well as the Ronald McDonald House … Volunteer Coach at The First Tee of Charlottesville … Will attend Duke University.
Zachary Gehr (Manassas/Osbourn Park HS) — $3,000: 4.14 GPA … Member of Osbourn Park’s varsity golf team … Two-year captain and three-time MVP … Prince William Hockey League participant … Drum/percussion teacher … Drummer/percussionist for rock band – “Daring for Glory” … Junior Golf Camp volunteer … VSGA member at The Piedmont Club … AP Honors student … Volunteers at a local food pantry as well as volunteering as a math tutor … Will attend Virginia Tech.
Brian Peccie (Norfolk/Norfolk Academy) — $3,000: 4.0 GPA … Three-time captain of Norfolk Academy golf team … Also captained the basketball team and played soccer … Norfolk Academy Medical Scholar participant who shadowed local physicians … Chinese cultural exchange program participant … Bus boy at Cypress Creek Country Club … Former VSGA Junior Golf Circuit member … Honor Council Chairman … Global Health Fellow working with impoverished regions in Haiti as part of a 4-year interdisciplinary program … Acolyte at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd … Washington & Lee University Book Award … Will attend Washington & Lee University.
Noah Peterson (Toano/Banner Christian School) — $3,000: Top of graduating class with 4.34 GPA … Student government president … National Honor Society president … Soccer team captain as a senior and also a member of the basketball squad … Member of performing arts team … Four-year participant at Blue Ridge Leader’s School … Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers … Homecoming King … Junior Marshall … YMCA 100 Hour Service Recognition … STEM conference participant at UVA … Math tutor … Worked as an attendant at Colonial Heritage Club … Undecided on college choice.
Dilwyn Piner (Chester/Clover Hill HS) — $3,000: 4.086 GPA … Golf shop attendant at First Tee -Chesterfield … Treasurer of National History Honor Society … National Honor Society … BETA. … Latin Club … Senior captain of Clover Hill’s varsity golf team … Was conference 3A player of the year … Played both travel and high-school soccer … Eagle Scout … Former VSGA Junior Golf Circuit member … Golf camp counselor at Brandermill Country Club … Cellist for Clover Hill High School Orchestra … Will attend the University of Richmond.
Thomas Snead (Providence Forge/Maggie L. Walker GS) — $3,000: 4.24 GPA … Member and senior captain of varsity golf and baseball teams at Maggie L. Walker … National Honor Society treasurer … Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society … German National Honor Society … Member of Spanish Club, German Club, Italian Club and SADD … Green Machine (pep) Club President … New Kent 4H Summer Camp Program Teen Counselor … EduPac representative for Capitol Day … Works as a trapper at Old Forge Sporting Clays shooting range … Part of support team at Apple Blossom Plantation B&B … Also volunteered at First Tee of Richmond … Former VSGA Junior Golf Circuit member … Will attend the University of Virginia.
Alexander Young-Williams (Arlington/Yorktown HS) — $3,000: 4.07 GPA … Founding member of the Chinese Club at Yorktown … Member of Yorktown’s golf, cross country and indoor track & field teams … Attended Virginia Governor’s Foreign Language Academy … Member of the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit … Interests include Chinese, Spanish, Norwegian, Finnish, international relations, history and English literature … Will attend Macalester College (MN).
Colleen Connolly (Winchester/John Handley HS) — $2,500: 4.6 GPA … VSGA member at Rock Harbor Golf Club … Captain of Handley’s varsity golf team … Member of Women with a Purpose … DECA … Member of history club and math league … Member of National Honor Society … Member of school’s yearbook staff … Was freshman class president … Served as design editor for the yearbook … Worked as a sales associate at 2nd Time Sports … Will attend Randolph-Macon College.
Paxton Daniels (Roanoke/Cave Spring HS) — $2,500: Ranked No. 1 in his high school class of 239 students with a 4.08 GPA … Basketball academic achievement award … Member of the Key Club and BETA … High school camp counselor for both soccer and basketball … Volunteer at the JJ Redick Foundation Golf Tournament … SCA Board Member … Member of Cave Spring’s basketball and soccer teams … Second Team All-State in soccer as a junior … Special Olympics and Relay for Life volunteer … summer employee for a local heating and air conditioning company … will attend James Madison University.
Ryder Elder (Dinwiddie/Thomas Dale HS) — $2,500: Ranked 11th in his class of 526 at Thomas Dale with a 4.43 GPA … Participated on Thomas Dale’s varsity golf, baseball and tennis teams … Captained and played #1 on golf team his final two seasons … BETA Club member… Member of the National Honor Society … FCA participant … Volunteer at local Food Bank … Part-time employee at Target … Will attend James Madison University.
Leslie Ibarra (Melfa/Nandua HS) — $2,500: Ranked third in her class of 163 with a 4.21 GPA … Former VSGA Junior Golf Circuit member … Member and two-year captain of Nandua’s varsity golf team … Squad captured three consecutive district championships … Also played on the soccer team … Intern at Eastern Shore Eye Center … BETA club member where she completed more than 140 hours of community service … Summer residential governor’s school program … DECA … Principal’s list … Member of the homecoming court … Will attend the University of Virginia.
Alexander Nelson (Weems/Lancaster HS) — $2,500: Ranks eighth in graduating class with a 4.37 GPA … four-year captain of Lancaster’s varsity golf team … Was 1A state champion as a senior … Was a regional champ as both a sophomore and junior … Is a member of the Leo Club, Recycling Club and Spanish Club … Plays in the school’s jazz band … Served as treasurer of the Student Government Association as a sophomore … Did volunteer work at the Northern Neck Free Health Clinic … Also assisted with numerous junior golf clinics … Will attend Randolph-Macon College.
David Reed (Waynesboro/Waynesboro HS & Shenandoah Valley GS) — $2,500: AP Scholar … Ranked 12th in his class of 201 with a 4.13 GPA … Member of Waynesboro High School’s varsity golf and baseball teams … Videographer for basketball team … BETA … PEP Club … Participated in Giant Pride Day … Helped with meals delivery to senior citizens … VSGA member at Waynesboro CC … Participated in Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School STEM program … Received US Air Force Outstanding Science & Engineering Science Fair project award … Waynesboro HS Patriot Award recipient for outstanding work in US/Virginia history … School concert choir member … Acolyte at Main Street United Methodist Church … Will attend Virginia Tech.
Eli Robertson (Ashburn/Stone Bridge HS) — $2,500: 4.27 GPA … VSGA member at Belmont Country Club … Co-Captain of Stone Bridge’s varsity golf team for all four years of high school … Finished sixth in the 2015 VHSL State Championships … Advanced to regionals three times … Member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, French Club, Mu Alpha Theta and DECA … Regularly volunteer at the Good Shepherd Alliance and the Salvation Army as well as the YMCA and with the Wounded Warrior Project … Undecided on college choice.
Randolph J. “Tino” Robinson, Jr. (Glen Allen/J.R. Tucker HS) — $2,500: BETA Club … Member of the varsity golf and baseball teams at J.R. Tucker … Member of Tucker’s marching band … Participated in Richmond Youth Jazz group … Coach and mentor at The First Tee of Richmond … Interests include history and chemistry … Will attend North Carolina Central University.
Colton Sheehan (Farmville/Prince Edward HS) — $2,500: Ranked No. 1 in his class at Prince Edward County High School with a 4.5 GPA … Worked as assistant director at Global Village Camp with the Office of International Affairs at Longwood University … Also served as a teaching assistant at Green Forest School in Costa Rica in the summer of 2013 … Co-taught English to adults in China in the summer of 2011 … President of Future Business Leaders of America … Member of first-place team at state Chemistry Olympiad … Soccer team MVP as a senior … Also a member of the swim team … Recreational golfer … Undecided on college choice.
Peyton Williams (Christiansburg/Christiansburg HS) — $2,500: Ranked 11th in his class of 239 at Christiansburg with a 4.1 GPA … Representative at Boys State … One of nine graduates of the Christiansburg Teen Police Academy … Member of the varsity golf, soccer and track teams at Christiansburg High School … Student government representative … Former member of the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit … National Honor Society … BETA Club … Work at The Meadows Golf & Swim Club as both a lifeguard and cart attendant … Has done volunteer work at Rockbridge Young Life Camp as well as through Grace Life Baptist Church … Will attend Emory & Henry College.
Gunnar Dowell (Abingdon/Abingdon HS) — $2,000: Member of the varsity baseball and golf teams at Abingdon High School … Golf team captured 2015 VHSL 3A state championship … Member of the Future Business Leaders of America … Works as a caddie at The Olde Farm … Baseball camp counselor … AP scholar … Member of National Honor Society … Four-year Washington County Community Scholar … Volunteer at Faith in Action Food Pantry … Will attend Hampden-Sydney College.
Draden Gaffney (Chesterfield/Collegiate School) — $2,000: 4.02 GPA … AP scholar with honor award by CollegeBoard … Project leader for the Robotics Club … Participates in snowboarding and paintball tournaments … Worked with the First Tee and Lake Chesdin Golf Club … American Red Cross lifeguard … Soccer USSF certified referee … President of the Chess Club, Computer Science Club and Engineering Club … Member of the French Honor Society … Special Olympics volunteer … Will attend Virginia Tech.
Jordan Hill (Chesapeake/Western Branch HS) — $2,000: 3.9 GPA … Four-year member of the varsity golf team at Western Branch High School and a former member of the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit … Four-year SCA member and class treasurer … Volunteer at Bide-A-Wee Golf Course … Three-time all-district and all-conference golfer … Twice named all-region … Involved with video ministry and Food Bank ministry at First Baptist Church … Received senior superlative of “best all-around” … Undecided on college choice.
Theodore J. “Teddy” Hoffman (Virginia Beach/First Colonial HS) — $2,000: Ranked ninth in his class of 415 at First Colonial with a 4.18 GPA … Captain of First Colonial’s varsity golf team … Coached youth basketball … Spent time tutoring at a local middle school … Plays the piano … AP Scholar with Honor … Ma Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society … Volunteer at the Judeo Christian Outreach Center and tutor at Virginia Beach Middle School … Will attend Christopher Newport University.
Brian McGuire (Winchester/Millbrook HS & Mountain Vista GS) — $2,000: Ranked third in his class of 291 with a 4.45 GPA … Received the Pioneer Golf Award three times … Three-time first-team all-district in golf … Also member of the varsity soccer team … VSGA member at Winchester Country Club … Has provided clerical assistance at a local law firm and also done a six-week mentorship at Winchester Medical Center … Has volunteered at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, the Red Cross and a local Food Pantry … Has also spent more than 135 hours as a peer tutor … Served as junior class vice-president … Will attend the University of Virginia.
Christopher James “CJ” Montero (Williamsburg/Jamestown HS) — $2,000: 3.77 GPA … AP Scholar … SCA president and varsity golf co-captain as a senior … Squad won two VHSL 4A state championships … Also a member of Jamestown’s indoor track team and received Coach’s Award for baseball … Served as junior class president … Did more than 130 hours of volunteer work through Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Key Club, local homeowners association, Dream Catchers and the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society. … Will attend High Point University.
Carter Old (Chesapeake/Great Bridge HS) — $2,000: 4.41 GPA … Four-year member of the Great Bridge High School varsity golf team … Co-captain his final two seasons … All-State selection in 2015 … Also named Chesapeake Sports Club Golfer of the Year … Assisted with Great Bridge’s booster club bi-annual fundraising golf tournament … College Prep Tour member … Member of the National Honor Society … Jefferson Book Award recipient … Peer tutor in Math and Chemistry … Former member of the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit. … Named most outstanding camper at Society of American Military Engineers at Camp Lejeune. … Part-time ranger at Battlefield Golf Course at Centerville as well as Cahoon Plantation GC … Assists with the upkeep and maintenance of a 19th century family cemetery in Botetourt County … Will attend Lynchburg College.
John A. “Alex” Oliver (Powhatan/Powhatan HS) — $2,000: Ranked 13th in his class of 336 students at Powhatan High School with a 4.41 GPA … Member of the varsity baseball and golf teams … Member of the National Honor Society. Participates in the Powhatan 4-H Outdoors Club and Teen Council … Volunteer for Stand Up & Play Foundation at Windy Hill Sports Complex, focusing on work with paragolfers … Volunteer in Relay for Life outreach as well as Feed the Hungry … Will attend University of Virginia.
Alex Waltman (Colonial Heights/Colonial Heights HS) — $2,000: Ranked fifth in his class of 213 students with a 4.38 GPA … BETA Club … Member of the Spanish Honor Society … Member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Science National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society … Four-year member of the varsity golf team at Colonial Heights High School … Team MVP, First Team All-Conference and Conference 25 Tournament Champion as a senior … Member of the VSGA Junior Golf Circuit … Academic Challenge Team … SCA … Volunteer at Children’s Hospital of Richmond as well as First Tee – Chesterfield … Will attend the College of William & Mary.
TURFGRASS RESEARCH AWARDS
Camden Shelton (Christiansburg) — $2,500: Pursing a Masters of Science degree in Plant Pathology Physiology and Weed Science … Received B.S. in Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences in May 2015 … Member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America … Virginia Tech Turf Club Member and Turf Bowl participant in 2015 … Operated own lawn care business from April 2009 to present … Interned at The Water’s Edge in Penhook in 2012.
Lee Coppock (Blacksburg) — $1,500: Member of Virginia Tech Turf Club (2014-present) … Current member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America … Working experience includes stints at The Country Club of Virginia, Blacksburg Country Club, Birdwood Golf Course and Farmington Country Club … Academic pursuits involve Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences – Turfgrass Management.