USA WWF

Alana Jones from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has been awarded the $1,000 Kent Williams and Alton Ball Kingsman Scholarship.

"This scholarship inspires me to push my limits both on and off the water in my education and skiing. Through this, I hope to be able to give back to the community of the sport I love." says Alana.

Kennedy Hansen from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has been awarded the $1,000 Florida Water Ski Federation Scholarship.

"I am thankful to be the Florida waterski federation recipient. It’s truly an honor."

Claire Rolbiecki from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has been awarded the $1,000 Dave Goode Scholarship.

"Thank you for awarding me as the recipient of the Dave Goode Scholarship of $1,000 this year! I am deeply grateful to not only Dave as the donor, but the Foundation as a whole. What an amazing, support-filled sport that we get to partake in and connect with so many others as well".

Laura Rucks from Clemson University has been awarded the $1,000 C.W. “Bill” and Teddy Wenner Scholarship.

“I am honored to have earned the 2025 C.W. “Bill” and Teddy Wenner Scholarship. I am thrilled to further pursue my academic endeavors and uphold a standard of excellence within the water ski community!”

Carter Boerman from The University of Alabama has been awarded the $1,500 Jennifer Odom/David Kammerer Barefoot Scholarship.

"I’m truly grateful and humbled to receive this scholarship. Being recognized by my barefooting community is a meaningful milestone in both my academic journey and personal growth. This award not only supports my education but also inspires me to continue striving for excellence."   

Isabella Melo from San Diego State University has been awarded the $1,500 "Big Al" Wagner Western Region Scholarship.

"I am so excited to win the Big Al Wagner/Western Region Scholarship! I learned to waterski through the San Diego State team and was introduced to an amazing community of people that have helped me to learn and grow as a person and skier. This scholarship will help me pursue my career in physical therapy. I am incredibly grateful to be recognized as a leader on and off the water!"  

Lauryn DeWitt from The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point has been awarded the $1,500 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship.

"I am incredibly thankful for this scholarship and support from the show ski community throughout my life. This scholarship has encouraged me to continue to believe in myself and to know that others believe in my potential."

Taylor Camann from Auburn University has been awarded the $1,500 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship.

"Receiving this scholarship means so much to me as a student committed to continuing my education while pursuing my passion for skiing at the collegiate level. I feel incredibly proud and deeply grateful for this opportunity."

Emma Goldstein from the University of Alabama has been awarded the $2,200 "Banana George" Blair Ambassador Scholarship.

"I am deeply honored to receive this scholarship in memory of George Blair—it motivates me to continue striving for excellence in everything I do."

Reina Itai from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has been awarded the $2,000John Worden Scholarship.

"I am deeply honored and grateful to the John Worden Memorial Foundation and the scholarship selection committee for their generosity and support. I hope to tackle challenges on and off the water in the same way John did: in a calm demeanor and "can-do" attitude. As John used to say, 'We Got This!' "

Reece (R.J.) Teter from the University Of Notre Dame has been awarded the $2,000 Elmer Stailing/Southern Region Scholarship.

"I have learned valuable life lessons, on and off the water, from the Southern Region water ski community and I am honored to be selected for the Elmer Stailing Scholarship.  This scholarship will help me pursue my goal of becoming a Marine Corps Officer through the University of Notre Dame NROTC program."

Madison Martin from Iowa State University has been awarded the $2,500 John Van Gieson Scholarship.

"It is such an honor to be able to receive the 2025 John Van Gieson Scholarship, and I am forever grateful for the generosity of the Van Gieson Family. There is nothing I love more than being on the water, and I cannot wait to spread this joy to others in this community. This is yet another example of the many ways this sport continues to support me, and I am so lucky to be able to be in it."

Emma Davis from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has been awarded the $2,680 Steve and Ann Lohr Scholarship.

“Waterskiing is more than a sport to me; it is part of who I am. While I work hard to train and compete at the highest levels, it is the friendships, the opportunities, and the meaningful moments behind the scenes that have shaped me the most. Waterskiing has introduced me to incredible people, given me the chance to travel and compete around the world, and taught me the value of hard work, humility, and dedication. Helping with junior development clinics, coaching skiers of all levels, and judging in tournaments has taught me that being generous with my time and helping grow the sport brings even more meaning to waterskiing."

Sophia Rivera from Lansing Community College has been awarded the $2,500 Lucille Avila Ortiz Scholarship.

“Receiving this scholarship means so much to me—not only because it helps with college expenses, but because it recognizes the hard work and passion I’ve put into water skiing.”

Sierra Klinchurch from Florida Southern College has been awarded the $2,500 Richard Avila Scholarship.

“Receiving this scholarship reminds me that hard work and passion never go unnoticed. It inspires me to keep pushing boundaries in both the classroom and on the water.”

Adam Long from Texas State University has been awarded the $5,000 Ed Hickey Scholarship.

“I feel overjoyed about being the student selected to receive the Ed Hickey Scholarship from USA Waterski & Wake Sports Foundation. I have worked hard putting in hours of work into supporting my collegiate team while also supporting my fellow peers as a student senator. To me, this scholarship meant that my efforts were recognized, and I cannot wait to spend my time skiing and leading more now that I have the financial ability to not work part-time.”

Lauren Connelly from Iowa State University College of Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering has been awarded the $10,000 Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship.

“Being selected for the Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship truly means the world to me. It feels like a recognition of all the time, heart, and energy I’ve poured into this sport and the amazing community around it. Water skiing has shaped so much of who I am—from the friendships and leadership roles to the confidence I’ve gained along the way. It motivates me to keep striving for excellence in the classroom as I pursue my engineering degree with the same passion I bring to the water.”

Zachary “Lucky” Detray from Southeastern University has been awarded the $1,000 Jeff Clark Florida Water Ski Federation Scholarship.

“This Scholarship reminds me of how grateful I am to be skiing, a gift I don't take for granted."

2022 Bill Wenner scholarship $1000

2023 Stan & Donna Switzer Scholarship $1000

2023 Linda Giddens Girls 5 Scholarship $1000

2024 Stan & Donna Switzer Scholarship $1000

"I am so grateful for the generous support the waterski community has provided me through the Bill Wenner scholarship, Stan and Donna Switzer Scholarship, and Linda Giddens Girls 5 Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship means so much to me and will help me continue to pursue my passion for waterskiing while furthering my education at the University of Louisiana Lafayette. Your generosity not only eases the financial burden of college but also motivates me to keep striving to push me to my very best both on the water and as I pursue a degree in kinesiology. I am truly honored to be a recipient and I promise to represent this scholarship with dedication, hard work, and good sportsmanship.”