Paige Peshina Awarded Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship

The family of Tim Olson says there were so many great applicants for the Foundation scholarships this year... they wanted to double up and award two Tim Olson Memorial Scholarships once again in 2022.

Paige Peshina has been named the second recipient of this year's $1500 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship. Paige is from Malvern, Ohio, and is a sophomore at Rollins College majoring in social entrepreneurship. She is a swivel ski coach and instructor and will be competing on the U.S. Team this fall in the 2022 World Show Ski World Championships in Winter Haven, Florida.

The Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Tim Olson. A special provision of the scholarship is that it is awarded specifically to a wakeboarder or show skier. Matayla De Bruin of Wisconsin was also awarded the 2022 $1,500 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship.

Each year, the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation awards scholarships to water skiers who show leadership abilities and demonstrate how involvement in the sport has helped them grow both personally and academically.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is very proud of our young athletes and honored to support their future academic needs. You can help support our mission by joining or donating to the foundation HERE.

Avila Family Scholarships awarded to two Western Region Water Skiers

The Avila Family is giving back to the Western Region... again. This time, two young water ski athletes will benefit from the Avila Family's two new college scholarships established this year.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation scholarships are awarded each year to water skiers who show leadership abilities and demonstrate that involvement in the sport has helped them grow both personally and academically.

First up, Kendra Nathan of Canyon Lake, California has been chosen as the recipient of the $2500 Richard Avila Scholarship. Kendra will be a Freshman at the University of Louisiana - Lafayette majoring in Education.

Kendra was also the recipient of the 2018 AWSA Girls2 Overall Scholarship in the amount of $500 and the 2020 Linda Giddens Girls 4 Overall Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Those awards were held in escrow by the foundation and will now be released for Kendra's tuition.

Sierra Klinchuch of Caldwell, Idaho is the recipient of the $2500 Lucille Avila Ortiz Scholarship. Sierra will be a Freshman at Florida Southern College and plans to become a dentist.

"It’s an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to receive this scholarship. I am grateful for the financial assistance that will help me focus more on my education, my skiing, and time with my team," says Sierra.

The Richard Avila and Lucille Avila Ortiz Scholarships are awarded to athletes that preferably compete in National Water Ski Racing Association (NWSRA) events. If there are not any applicants from the NWSRA, then the water ski applicants must demonstrate strong athletic abilities, strong academic standings, and be involved in good community service projects in the Western region of USA Water Ski & Wake Sports.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is very proud of our young athletes and honored to support their future academic needs. You can help support our mission by joining or donating to the foundation HERE.

Matayla De Bruin - 1 of 2 Athletes Awarded Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship

The family of Tim Olson says there were so many great applicants for the Foundation scholarships this year... they wanted to double up and award two Tim Olson Memorial Scholarships in 2022.

First up... Matayla De Bruin has been chosen as one of the winners of the $1,500 Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship. Matayla will be a senior this fall, studying nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"I am so thankful to receive the Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship," she says. "Tim Olson had an amazing legacy especially in water skiing and show skiing. He was so generous and always had a passion for improving and growing the sport. Tim Olson was an amazing instructor and show skier. I am so honored to continue on his legacy."

The Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship was established by the family and friends of Tim Olson. A special provision of the scholarship is that it is awarded specifically to a wakeboarder or show skier.

Each year, the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation awards scholarships to water skiers who show leadership abilities and demonstrate how involvement in the sport has helped them grow both personally and academically.

At the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation, we are very proud of our young athletes and are honored to support their future academic needs. You can support our mission by joining the Foundation or donating at the link below.

Join the Foundation