2020 USA-WWF SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Incredible Student-Athletes honored with Foundation Scholarships
Winter Haven, FL - The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is proud to announce the winners of our 2020 Scholarships.
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USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation scholarships are awarded each year to water skiers and riders who show leadership abilities and demonstrate that involvement in the sport has helped them grow both personally and academically.
USA-WWF is honored to have the following outstanding individuals
represent our sport both on and off the water:
Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship: $5,000
2020 Recipient: Krista Butterfield
For the second year in a row... Krista Butterfield from Sherman, Texas has won the $5000 Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship.
Krista is a senior at Texas A&M University, majoring in nursing. She is a 4.0 student who hopes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
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“It is wonderful to be able to water ski and study in college as well as help grow the sport. The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is fundamental to continuing doing what we love. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” says Krista.
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Krista displayed a special drive and enthusiasm for water skiing from a very young age. She is a dedicated three event skier, official and team leader for the Texas A&M University Water Ski Team.
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George Blair Ambassador Scholarship: $2,200
2020 Recipient: Zach Butterfield
Zach Butterfield from Sherman, Texas has won the $2200 Banana George Blair Ambassador Scholarship. Zach is a Freshman at Texas A&M University, majoring in engineering.
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"It means a lot to be chosen to receive this award, and I appreciate the new opportunities it will afford me," says Zach. "I will do my best to continue being an ambassador for the sport and introducing it to as many people as I can. "
Zach has earned numerous podium finishes at the U.S. Water Ski National Championships and was the Boys 3 Overall National Champion in 2017.
He represented the United States at the 2018 Junior World Championships in Spain. He has also supported the growth of water skiing by coaching and officiating. Zach currently holds an assistant rating in driving and judging in all three events.
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Southern Region/Elmer Stailing Scholarship: $2,000
2020 Recipient: Anna Gay
Anna Gay from Winter Garden, Florida has won the $2000 Elmer Stailing Southern Region Scholarship for the second year in a row. Anna is a senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Nursing with a minor in Nutrition. She is a 3.9 student who plans to become a Nurse Practitioner.
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“I am so grateful to receive this scholarship and for all of the support the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation has given me throughout my skiing career,” says Anna.
Coach and Team Captain of the University of Alabama Water Ski Team, Anna is a professional trick skier who has won the Moomba and the Under 21 World Championship (Tricks & Overall), Open World Championships, Collegiate Nationals and the Junior U.S. Open.
Anna is an eight-time World Champion, two-time Masters Champion, two-time World Record Holder. The Former USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Athlete of the Year has never stopped improving.
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Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship: $1,500
2020 Recipient: Grace Petzold
Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship: $1,500
2019 Recipient: Grace Petzold
For the second year in the row, Grace Petzold from Mequon, Wisconsin has won the $1500 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship. Grace is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in chemistry/biology. She is a 3.9 student who hopes to go into the medical field.
Grace is an accomplished show skier and is a member of the Rock Aqua Jays Ski Show Team and the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team and was chosen to be a member of the 2020 USA Water Ski Show Team. She is an incredible all-around water skier who barefoots, swivel skis, ski jumps, is in the ballet line, pyramid, strap doubles and more. This young woman can do it all!
Grace founded Graceful Wakes, a non-profit organization in 2015. Graceful Wakes hosts free adaptive water ski clinics in Wisconsin and Florida. Through these clinics, Grace has taught hundreds of people with cognitive and physical disabilities how to water ski. And she has paid it forward by teaching others to host their own adaptive water ski clinics.
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We are proud to support Grace in continuing her education and her quest to change the world one person and one water skier at a time!
Established in 1968, the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation, preserves and celebrates the history of all towed water sports and promotes these sports through our Scholarship Programs and the Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame.