Isabella Melo is Awarded the 2025 "Big Al" Wagner Western Region Scholarship

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!"   says Isabella.

I am very grateful to win the 2025 Big Al Wagner/Western Region Scholarship! This is

an amazing opportunity to help me continue my education at San Diego State University and go

on to physical therapy school. I am so honored to be recognized as a leader and to be able to give back to my community!

Water skiing has played a huge role in shaping my college experience, and honestly, my life. I discovered the sport when I joined San Diego State University, and it quickly became something I couldn’t imagine life without. It gave me community, confidence, and direction. Without water skiing, my time in college would’ve looked completely different.

One of the biggest ways I’ve been able to give back to the sport and my team was by becoming an approved boat driver for the SDSU Waterski and Wakesports team. It wasn’t easy and the approval process involves a ton of paperwork and meeting strict safety and training requirements from both the Mission Bay Aquatic Center and SDSU’s Associated Students. Because of this, not many people step up to do it. But it was worth every step.

Why? Because without enough approved drivers, we risk losing our boat lease and valuable practice time. By becoming a driver, I not only kept the team running, but I also created more opportunities for others to learn, grow, and fall in love with water skiing - just like I did.

When I first joined the team, the drivers were my mentors. They taught me how to drive, coached me through every wipeout, and helped me find my footing on the water. They became close friends and role models. When I became a driver, I saw it as my chance to return the favor to be that person for someone else.

Last semester, I hosted more practices than anyone else on the team nearly matching the legendary Curtis Williams! From first-time rides to new tricks and jumps, seeing my teammates improve and bond has been the most rewarding part of this journey.

To some, driving the boat and coaching might seem small, but for our team, it’s everything. It keeps the spirit of water skiing alive at SDSU. Stepping into this role changed my life, and I truly believe it helped our team grow stronger than ever.

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.

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.

DONATE NOW

Established in 1968, the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation celebrates the history of all towed water sports and promotes these sports through our Scholarship and Collegiate Grant Programs and the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame.