WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Four of New England’s finest scholars, community servers and tennis players have been selected to receive college scholarship money from USTA Serves.
Each was been selected as one of 52 winners nationwide of a $6,000 College Educational Scholarship by USTA Serves – Foundation for Academics. Character. Excellence., the philanthropic and charitable entity of the United States Tennis Association. The Foundation has granted 71 high school students a variety of college scholarships this spring, totaling $379,000.
The honorees were selected from applicants throughout the country on the basis of their commitment to academic success, their local community and the game of tennis. An objective of USTA Serves is to encourage America’s youth to pursue their goals and highest dreams by succeeding in school and becoming responsible citizens.
Eric Eldredge, a senior at Cape Cod Academy in Osterville, Mass.: Captain and MVP of his high school tennis team, Eldredge is a three-sport athlete (cross country, swimming) and an AP Scholar. His strong community service record includes obtaining grants for $1,500 for tennis clinics and teaching Wampanoag Native American children who live in his community. Recipient of the Wheaton Book Award, he is also a member of a Red Cross Disaster Action team. He plans to major in business management at Boston College
Captain and MVP of his high school tennis team, Eldredge is a three-sport athlete (cross country, swimming) and an AP Scholar. His strong community service record includes obtaining grants for $1,500 for tennis clinics and teaching Wampanoag Native American children who live in his community. Recipient of the Wheaton Book Award, he is also a member of a Red Cross Disaster Action team. He plans to major in business management at Boston College.
"We understand how vital financial assistance is for these deserving high school seniors as they pursue higher education," said Karen Martin-Eliezer, Chief Executive, USTA Serves. "Supporting them is a sound investment in America’s future. It is our hope and firm belief that these young men and women will continue to positively impact the world throughout their life’s journey."
Emma Sacks, a senior at Wethersfield High School in Wethersfield, Conn.: Vice-president of her class, Sacks chooses to lead rather than follow. A prime example is her establishment of a charity fundraiser to support AIDS research. The captain of her high school tennis team also competes in soccer and track. She has a 3.43 GPA in honors classes and serves as a freshman orientation mentor. Described as "energetic, organized and a good role model," she plans to focus on communications and environmental studies in college.
Jessica DeSimone, a senior at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, R.I.: Win or lose, DeSimone can be counted on to display good sportsmanship. A winner of the Rhode Island Tennis Coaches Association Sportsmanship Award, she participates in a wide range of extracurricular activities including the Math Club, Film & Video Club and the school newspaper. The recipient of the prestigious Yale Book Award, she will be a pre-med student at College of the Holy Cross, focusing on biomedical research.
Rebecca Hill, a senior at Bethel High School in Bethel, Conn.: Trophy case makers would be wise to contact Hill, who has earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Award of Excellence at the Norwalk Community College Science Fair and the USAA National Mathematics Award. A good person to have around when an emergency strikes, Hill is enrolled in an emergency medical training class through a local fire department. She plans on being a pre-med major at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences