FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship
$10,000
The Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship was established in 2001, revised in 2008 and 2021, has special provisions in that it is given to a qualifying female who attends a four year accredited college and skis primarily in AWSA, NCWSA or USA-AWSWS tournaments.
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2023 Kendra Nathan
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2022 Lexi Berens
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2021 Kristen Baldwin
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2020 Krista Butterfield
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2019 Krista Butterfield
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2018 Anna Gay
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2017 Kristen Dammeyer
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2016 Ellie Horton
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2015 Ellie Horton
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2014 Erica Lang
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2013 Emily Van Treese
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2012 Caroline Hensley
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2011 Caroline Hensley
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2010 Kerri McClure
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2009 Jamie Leanne Grant
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2008 Not Awarded
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2007 Tyne Kaiser
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2006 Caroline Wolf
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2005 Kerri Lee
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2004 Tarah Benzel
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2003 Tarah Benzel
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2002 Cynthia Coss
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2001 Lane Culpepper
John Worden
Scholarship
$2000
Established by request of The John Worden Memorial Foundation, the scholarship is given to the qualifying candidate who is an AWSA and/or NCWSA undergraduate student attending college and that is pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics (STEM) and demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and the ability to take an innovative approach to solving problems.
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2023 Zach Butterfield
Tim Olson Scholarship
$1500
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 to be given to a wake boarder or show skier.
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2023 Brooke Elfert & Keelie Plessner
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2022 Matayla DeBruin & Paige Peshina
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2021 Paige Peshina & Grace Petzold
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2020 Grace Petzold
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2019 Grace Petzold
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2018 McKenna Cullinane
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2017 Donica Loney
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2016 Karli Pickney
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2015 Ariana Koehler
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2014 Jacquelyn Schuh
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2013 Jennifer Boeckman
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2012 Hayley Sarow
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2011 Not Awarded
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2010 Not Awarded
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2009 Mark Cassidy
Lucille Avila Ortiz Scholarship
$2500
The Lucille Avila Ortiz Scholarship is
awarded to a young National Water Ski Racing Association (NWSRA) female or male competitor as selected by the Avila family.
The scholarship shall be awarded to the competitor based on both athletics and character to honor Mrs. Avila’s commitment to the sport both on and off the water. Mrs. Avila was actively involved of all aspects of the sport from being a skier, official, dedicated volunteer, and mentor and the recipient should represent his character and work ethic and also be involved in community service work.
The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the NWSRA Nationals, and the funds will be held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient, at an accredited two or four-year college or university according to the established standards for scholarship payments.
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2022 Sierra Klinchuch
Elmer Stailing Southern Region Scholarship
$2000
The Elmer Stailing Scholarship is for an AWSA Southern Regional Competitor and qualified student who is registered in a College or University. It has been funded by the Southern Region since 1990.
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2023 William Blair
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2022 Nicholas Kerr
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2021 Nicholas Kerr
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2020 Anna Gay
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2019 Anna Gay
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2018 Lexi Nate
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2017 Kelley Breeden
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2016 Juliana Myrick
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2015 K.C. Wilson
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2014 Ellie Horton
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2013 K.C. Wilson
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2012 Not Awarded
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2011 Caroline Hensley
Florida Water Ski Federation Scholarship
$1000
The Florida Water Ski Federation Scholarship is open to three event water ski athletes who compete in the Florida State Water Ski Championships and are currently registered students in a college or university.
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2023 Emma Applegate
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2022 Emma Applegate
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2021 Kennedy Hansen
Bill Wenner - Florida Water Ski Federation
Scholarship
$1000
Awarded to a youth competitor at the Florida State Championships as selected by Brenda Nichols and Kyle Tate. The scholarship shall be awarded to a competitor based on sportsmanship, character, and improvement both on and off the water.
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Mr. Wenner has been an avid participant as an athlete, official, Board member, President of AWSA, and
volunteer his entire life. His love of the sport is contagious and the recipient should represent
Mr. Wenner’s passion for waterskiing.
The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the State Championships, and the funds will be
held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient,
within four years of graduating high school, at an accredited two or four-year college or university.
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2023 Damian Eade
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2022 Camryn Waters
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2021 Kaitlin Kovacs
Stan & Donna Switzer - Florida Water Ski Federation
Scholarship
$1000
Awarded to a youth female competitor at the Florida State Championships as selected by the Board of Directors of the Florida Water Ski Federation. The scholarship shall be awarded to the competitor based on both athletics and character to honor The Switzer’s commitment to the sport both on and off the water.
The Switzers have been amazing skiers, officials, volunteers, and mentors and the recipient should represent their character and work ethic.
The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the State Championships, and the funds will be
held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient, within four years of graduating high school, at an accredited two or four-year college or university.
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2023 Camryn Waters
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2022 Kiersten Cawley
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2021 Cleia Stern
Jim Grew Boys 1 Scholarship
$2500
The Boys 1 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Douglas Lohr
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2022 Jaxen Stabel
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2021 Bode Bulfer
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2020 Jaxen Stabel
Walsh Family
Boys 2 Scholarship
$2000
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The Boys 2 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Bode Bulfer
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2022 Bode Bulfer
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2021 Ty Robbins
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2020 BG Bickley
Dutch Brothers Coffee Boys 3 Scholarship
$1000
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The Boys 3 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Aaron Bartlett
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2022 Damian Eade
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2021 Jake Abelson
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2020 Chase Sparks
Dr. Mike Morgan
Boys 4 Scholarship
$1000
The Boys 4 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Jake Abelson
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2022 Jake Abelson
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2021 Ty Kosek
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2020 Carter Reese
Dr. J.D. Morgan
Boys 5 Scholarship
$1000
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The Boys 5 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Vittorio Bloyer
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2022 Ty Kosek
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2021 Blaze Grubbs
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2020 Blaze Grubbs
"Banana George" Blair Ambassador Scholarship
$2200
In the same spirit that made him a legend, "Banana George" Blair continued to give back to water sports and the foundation throughout his life. George's family has created this scholarship to give student-athletes an opportunity to earn a college education while pursuing their water sports dreams. This scholarship is open to all water sports disciplines.
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2023 Markus Mortenson
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2022 Charlsey Newman
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2021 Matayla DeBruin
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2020 Zach Butterfield
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2019 Lauren Goldman
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2018 Cullen Parker
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2017 Erica Lang
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2016 Erica Lang
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2015 Jessica Trygier
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2014 Paul O'Hara
John R. Van Gieson Memorial Scholarship
$2500
This scholarship was established in 2022 in memory of John R. Van Gieson. John was an avid water skier and was happiest when he was out on the water. John's wife has established this scholarship to help water ski athletes to pursue a college education.
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This annual scholarship will be given to a qualifying individual (male or female) from the Midwest Region who attends a two or four-year accredited college or university and water skis in AWSA and/or NCWSA tournaments.
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2023 Sean Freitag
Kyle P. Tate
Scholarship
$5000
Established in 2022, this scholarship is to be awarded to the outstanding male applicant who attends a four-year accredited college and skis primarily in AWSA, NCWSA, or USA-AWSWS tournaments. The applicant must demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and volunteerism.
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2023 Joaquin Mendoza
Richard Avila
Scholarship
$2500
The Richard Avila Scholarship is awarded to a young National Water Ski Racing Association (NWSRA) female or male competitor as selected by the Avila family.
The scholarship shall be awarded to the competitor based on both athletics and character to honor Mr. Avila’s commitment to the sport both on and off the water. Mr. Avila was actively involved in all aspects of the sport, from being a skier, official, dedicated volunteer, and mentor, and the recipient should represent his character and work ethic and also be involved in community service work.
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The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the NWSRA Nationals, and the funds will be held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient, at an accredited two or four-year college or university according to the established standards for scholarship payments.
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2022 Kendra Nathan
Jennifer Odom/
David Kammerer
Barefoot Scholarship
$1500
The Jennifer Odom/David Kammerer Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008. Special provisions require that the scholarship be given to a barefoot skier. In the event a barefooter does not apply, the Jennifer Odom/David Kammerer Memorial Scholarship shall be carried forward to the next calendar year.
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Jennifer Odom was a junior girl national competitor who was abducted near her home in Pasco County, Florida in February of 1993. She was later found murdered.
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David Kammerer of Excelsior, Minnesota was a former Mens 2 National Overall Champion and “old school” barefooter. He died in a plane crash in July of 2007.
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2023 Megan Adams
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2022 Megan Adams
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2021 Megan Adams
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2020 Alex Youngblood
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2019 Not Awarded
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2018 Dillon Brouch
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2017 Kailey Koehler
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2016 Kailey Koehler
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2015 Johnathan Martines
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2014 Matthew Martin
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2013 Landen Ehlers
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2012 Kyle Bichich
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2011 Johnathan Paulovich
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2010 Andrew Martin
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2009 Andrew Martin
"Big Al" Wagner
Western Region
Scholarship
$1500
The "Big Al" Wagner/Western Region Scholarship is to be given to an AWSA Western Region Skier qualified for the Western Regional Water Ski Tournament.
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2023 Gabrielle Klemm
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2022 Blaze Grubbs
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2021 Alec Vaio
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2020 Landon Geels
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2019 Not Awarded
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2018 Landon Geels
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2017 Alexis Keller
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2016 Not Awarded
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2015 Erica Lang
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2014 Gina Phillini
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2013 Robert Morris
Jeff Clark - Florida Water Ski Federation Scholarship
$1000
Awarded to a youth male competitor at the Florida State Championships as selected by the Board of Directors of the Florida Water Ski Federation. The scholarship shall be awarded to the competitor based on both athletics and character to honor Mr. Clark’s commitment to the sport both on and off the water.
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Mr. Clark has been actively involved in all aspects of the sport: skier, official, dedicated volunteer, and mentor. The recipient should represent his character and work ethic.
The Scholarship recipient will be announced at the State Championships, and the funds will be held in escrow with the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation for use by the recipient, within four years of graduating high school at an accredited two or four-year college or university.
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2023 Brett Ellis
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2022 Connor Pauley
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2021 Jaeden Eade
Kent Williams & Alton Ball Kingsmen Scholarship
$1000
The Kent Williams and Alton Ball Kingsmen Scholarship will be awarded annually to a South Central Water Skier who has participated in the South Central Regionals and can be either an incoming Freshman or a current undergraduate in a four-year college or university.
Kent Williams and Alton Ball were accomplished skiers, barefooters, and show skiers. They made up the duo called the Kingsmen Professional Water Skiers in Arkansas in the 1960s.
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2023 Matthew Leach
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2022 Not Awarded
Jim Grew Girls 1 Scholarship
$2000
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The Girls 1 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Zoe Atwell
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2022 Reese Townsend
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2021 Grace Lohr
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2020 Marley Pavur
Walter May
Girls 2 Scholarship
$2000
The Girls 2 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Grace Lohr
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2022 Alexia Abelson
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2021 Alexia Abelson
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2020 Kamryn Massey
Gus Johnson
Girls 3 Scholarship
$1000
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The Girls 3 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Alexia Abelson
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2022 Cameron Davis
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2021 Julie Mishler
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2020 Emma Davis
Linda Giddens
Girls 4 Scholarship
$1000
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The Girls 4 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Cameron Davis
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2022 Aly Custer
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2021 Elizabeth Hall
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2020 Kendra Nathan
Linda Giddens
Girls 5 Scholarship
$1000
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The Girls 5 Scholarship is awarded to the National Overall Title winner at the AWSA Nationals each year. The money is held in escrow by the foundation until the athlete attends the university of their choice.
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2023 Emma Davis
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2022 Cleia Stern
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2021 Alyssa Drake
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2020 Kristen Baldwin