LPGA Foundation Announces 2017 Marilynn Smith Scholarship Recipients

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, August 14, 2017 – The LPGA Foundation announced today the 30 high-school graduates selected to receive this year’s Marilynn Smith Scholarship. Each candidate has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence, leadership skills and active involvement and service to her community while also fulfilling specific requirements for each scholarship award.

The Marilynn Smith Scholarship, named in honor of one of the LPGA’s 13 founding members, is awarded to high-school seniors who plan to play golf at an accredited college or university in the United States. Each of the 2017 recipients will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Adelynn Mannino graduated from Norwalk High School in Norwalk, OH, where she was captain of both the varsity golf and softball teams, and recipient of the Outstanding Student Award for the French and Art clubs.

Mannino plans to attend Ohio Wesleyan University to study business administration and psychology. She intends to pursue a career in the human resource field and own her own business.

Alison Kinsinger graduated from Washington Community High School in Washington, IL, where she was captain of the varsity golf team, vice-president of the student council, and valedictorian.

Kinsinger plans to attend Butler University, where she will major in health and sciences with a minor in health care management and chemistry. She hopes to become a physician assistant with a specialty in surgery. 

Allie Wehrli graduated from Victory Christian School in Tulsa, OK. There she was the co-captain of the varsity golf team, member of the National Honor Society and had one of the highest GPA’s in her class.

Wehrli will be attending St. Gregory University, where she will major in finance. She plans to attend law school with the goal of becoming an attorney.

Annie Paris graduated from Brentwood High School in Brentwood, TN. She was captain of the varsity golf team for two years, Editor-in-chief of the yearbook, and recognized as the most outstanding student in computer applications and journalism.

Paris will attend Rhodes College, where she will pursue a degree in business. She would like to work in either sports administration or journalism.

Audrey Pulliam graduated from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, AR, where she was three-time captain of the golf team, two-time co-editor of the yearbook, and vice president of the Interact club.

Pulliam will be attending the College of William and Mary. She wants to pursue a degree in the sciences and intends to have a career in either physical or speech therapy with disabled children.

Briana Hocker graduated from Villa Joseph Marie High School in Holland, PA, where she was captain of the varsity golf team, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, and treasurer for Community Service Corps.

Hocker will attend Alvernia University, where she plans to earn a degree in nursing. From there, she would like to work in the ICU and then attend anesthesiology school before becoming a nurse anesthetist.

Camille Simon graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, LA, where she was the rookie of the year, captain and MVP of the golf team, secretary of Mu Alpha Theta, vice-president of photography club, and received best in class award for honors biology and AP world history.

Simon will be attending Harvey Mudd College. Her goal is to attend a leading-edge math and computer science program. She has set her sights on developing tools that improve lives.

Candace Chandler graduated from Shenandoah High School in Middletown, IN. She was the captain of both the golf and basketball teams, and a two-time recipient of the all-county section honorable mention.

Chandler will attend Purdue University Northwest to obtain a civil engineering degree. She hopes to have a successful career at a well-known engineering firm.

Caroline Rea graduated from Longleaf Academy in Pinehurst, NC. As a homeschooler, she played on several junior tours, was active in The First Tee of Sandhills and served as a leader on the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf program for two years. 

Rea will be attending Pfeiffer University to start working on her bachelor’s in biology and plans to complete their physician’s assistant program. She wants to work at a pediatric practice and volunteer at a free clinic to help those with financial hardships. 

Chandler Thomas graduated from Unaka High School in Elizabethton, TN. She pioneered her school’s girls golf team, was president of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America, yearbook editor and valedictorian.

Thomas will be attending Emory and Henry College, where she plans to major in the health and human performance program. She would like to become a wellness specialist to support and educate people in health and fitness.

Darby Twight graduated from Anderson Union High School in Anderson, CA, where she played four years on the boys’ varsity golf team. She was freshman of the year, all-league recipient, league MVP, section champion and captain of the golf team. She was also captain of the robotics club and secretary of Student Services. 

Twight will attend Oregon Institute of Technology. She plans to study mechanical engineering with the goal to become a mechanical engineer who creates machinery that has a positive impact on the global climate. 

Elizabeth Nguyen graduated from Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, NC, where she was captain of the golf team, president of the French club and Future Business Leaders of America, and project coordinator for the National Honors Society. 

Nguyen will be attending Georgetown University, where she plans to enroll in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, majoring in science, technology, and international affairs. She has an ambition to help develop more affordable, greener energy sources.

Emily Sumner graduated from Foothill High School in Santa Ana, CA. She was a two-time team and conference MVP, and also captain of the golf team. She won the Excellence in Engineering, Order of the Knight, National Teen Leadership Inspiration, AJGA Jerry Cole Sportsmanship and President’s Leadership awards.

Sumner will attend Santa Clara University, where she will major in bio-engineering. She is interested in becoming either an anesthesiologist or radiologist.

Graysen Mechler graduated from Medina Valley High School in La Coste, TX.  There she was two-time captain and Most Valuable Player of the golf team, and was also president and webmaster of the 4H shooting club. 

Mechler plans to study bio medical science at Buena Vista University with the longer-term goal of becoming a doctor. 

Harper Lurie graduated from Howard High School in Ellicott City, MD, where she was captain of the varsity golf team and served as a peer mentor for the Allied Golf team, Howard LEO’s, National Honor Society, Best Buddies and Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. 

Lurie will attend Christopher Newport University, where she plans to pursue a business degree with a minor in leadership studies. Her goal is to work in event and hospitality management with a specific focus on golf.

Jennifer Thul graduated from Northwestern High School in Iron River, WI. She was most improved, first in districts and captain of her golf team. She was also part of the track and field team, the athletic leadership council, as well as the forensics, speech, and drama teams. 

Thul will be attending The College of St. Scholastica, where she intends to obtain her bachelor’s degree before pursuing a career as a physician assistant.

Jessie Eaton graduated from Oakland High School in Murfreesboro, TN, where she was three-time captain of the golf team, senior class president and valedictorian.

Eaton aspires to be a malpractice lawyer. She plans to receive a degree in bioscience and philosophy from Morehead State University. She would like to defend doctors from career-damaging lawsuits.

Kinsley Hall graduated from Elk City High School in Elk City, OK. She was a member of the golf team, a two-time individual regional champion and local UNICEF ambassador for the INTERACT club. She also holds the title of Women’s Club champion at her home course. 

Hall will be attending St. Gregory’s University, where she will pursue a career in the medical field.  She also aspires to play golf professionally. 

Lauren Bentley graduated from Clear Creek High School in League City, TX. There she was captain of the golf team, president of the National Honor Society and PALS, and a director of community service for Rho Kappa. 

Bentley will attend Texas A&M University- Commerce in the fall. Her career goal is to become a physician’s assistant after she receives her bachelor degree in public health with a minor in Latin American studies and Spanish. 

Lauren Campagna graduated from Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, TX, where she was two-time captain of the golf team and president of the leadership council. 

Campagna will be attending The University of Texas at Dallas.  Her major will be speech/language pathology and audiology. 

Lauren Conley graduated from Pickerington High School North in Pickerington, OH, where she was captain of the golf team, president of the National Honor Society, the chemistry club and the Drug Free Club of America. She was also vice-president of the student body and the chemistry magic club. 

Conley plans to major in civil engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. After receiving her degree, she hopes to work in structure design and development.

Melanie Wilmert graduated from Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, MS. She was the two-time captain of her team, a lead student coordinator of the school’s STEM Expo and a two-time honors thespian.

Wilmert will be attending Maryville University. There she will major in mathematics and plans to get her master’s degree in education. She aspires to be a high school mathematics teacher.

Michaela Cox graduated from P489 Academy, a home school program. She was a member of Eta Sigma Alpha Honor Society and winner in both elementary and intermediate classes of the national piano playing auditions.

Cox’s goal is to graduate with a business degree in marketing management from Elon University. It is her dream to compete on the LPGA Tour. 

Morgan Adamchik graduated from Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, NC where she was a two-time captain and four-time MVP of the golf team. She also served as secretary of the National Honor Society.

Adamchik plans to major in advertising at Appalachian State University with a minor in studio art or photography. After college, she wants to work in the golf industry. Her goal is to introduce more people to golf and give the next generation of girls more opportunities to play.

Morgan Tinsley graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, KY. As captain of the golf team, she was twice awarded all-city golf first team honors. She was also awarded for service honor roll, principal’s list and volunteer of the year. 

Tinsley plans to major in accounting at Xavier University before going on to become a CPA and then attend law school. Ultimately, she hopes to work for a sports franchise. 

Rosemarie Bundy graduated from St. Charles East High School in West Chicago, IL. She was captain of the golf team and Player of the Year for the Upstate Eight conference. She won first place in the Upstate Eight Art conference for her video composite of her high school golf team. 

Bundy will be studying radio and television/ digital media at Southern Illinois University and would like to become a filmmaker. 

Sarah Noonan graduated from Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, FL, where she was captain of the golf team and served on the superintendent’s student advisory board. 

Noonan will be attending Georgia Southern University, where she was accepted into the honors college. She wants to oversee a wholesale/distribution aspect of a company.

Savannah Kummelman graduated from Plant City High School in Plant City, FL, where she was the captain and two-time Most Improved Player of the varsity golf team, editor-in-chief of the yearbook and historian of the Teenage Republicans. 

Kummelman plans to attend Montreat College in North Carolina to obtain a business/marketing degree.

Summer Stillson graduated from NorthWood High School in Nappanee, IN, where she was captain and MVP of the golf and softball teams and was awarded top student in Spanish, language arts, U.S. history and math. She was also the first girl awarded three Indian Coaches Girls Sports Association awards in one season.

Stillson plans to attend St. Mary's College, where she will study data analytics.

Tanna Campbell graduated from Sweet Grass County High School in Big Timber, MT, where she was captain of the golf and Academic Olympics teams, president of the National Honors Society and serving and volunteer youth clubs, and was also a valedictorian. 

Campbell plans to double major in computer programming and software engineering at the University of Montana. She would like to work for companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Pinterest.

About The LPGA Foundation

Established in 1991, The LPGA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to empowering and supporting girls and women through developmental and humanitarian golf initiatives. Key priorities include: LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, scholarships and the Dolores Hope LPGA Financial Assistance Initiative for those in the golf industry who are experiencing severe hardship. The LPGA Foundation is supported by corporate and private donations, foundation grants and contributions from LPGA members. For more information on how to contribute to The LPGA Foundation, please contact LPGA Headquarters, 100 International Golf Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32124, or by phone, 386.274.6200 and on the web: https://www.lpgaonline.com/Donations/.