The LPGA Foundation announces 2011 Scholarship Winners
12 high-school seniors honored with scholarships

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida, August 17, 2011 -- The LPGA Foundation has announced their annual scholarship award winners for 2011 and 12 high-school seniors were selected to receive the Dinah Shore Scholarship, Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship, and Marilynn Smith Scholarships. Criteria for each scholarship vary, but all candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic performance, community service, leadership skills and active participation on their golf team.

Dinah Shore Scholarship
This year’s Dinah Shore Scholarship has been awarded to Marlie Fisher, who graduated in 2011 from Grandview High School in Aurora, Colo. The $5,000 scholarship was established in 1994 to honor the late Dinah Shore, a Hollywood entertainer and honorary member of the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. The Dinah Shore Scholarship, given out annually, is awarded to a female high school senior who will attend college but not play collegiate golf.

Fisher, who graduated as valedictorian of her class with a 4.0 GPA, played golf for all four years of high school and for the past three seasons worked with The First Tee program as a mentor to young golfers. In addition to her golf pursuits, Fisher was a member of the varsity swim team, the National Honor Society, math club, Link Crew and president of the medical careers club. She also has volunteered at Sky Ridge Hospital and served as an Arapahoe County student election judge.

Fisher plans to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo., to study molecular, cellular and developmental biology. Her goals include attending dental school and eventually pursuing a career as an orthodontist.

To qualify for the Dinah Shore Scholarship, an applicant must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2; must have played in a minimum of 50 percent of her high school golf team’s scheduled events or have regularly played golf for the past two years; must have demonstrated leadership skills and/or extraordinary community affairs work; and must have applied to and been accepted into an accredited undergraduate academic program.

Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship
Established in 2006, the Phyllis G. Meekins scholarship is awarded at the value of $1,250 to a woman from a recognized minority group who plans to study full-time and play golf at an accredited college or university in the United States. The 2011 Phyllis G. Meekins scholarship winner, Maile Miyake, embodies everything this scholarship requires and more.

Miyake is a 2011 graduate of Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Ore., where she played on the girls’ varsity golf team for three years and was named second-team all-conference during her junior year. Miyake started playing golf at seven years old and was involved in Drive, Chip and Putt competitions throughout her youth as well as The First Tee summer golf program. In addition to playing golf in high school, Miyake was a member of the cheerleading squad and was named co-captain of the squad during her junior year. She also was a member of the school choir, National Honor Society, Key Club and a peer leader. She graduated from high school with a 3.75 GPA.

Miyake has been accepted to Corban University in Salem, Ore., where she plans to study early childhood education.

The namesake of the scholarship, the late Phyllis Galloway Meekins, was a talented amateur golfer from 1950 to 1981, when she became a member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals. On that foundation, Meekins started PGM Golf Clinics, Inc. in 1973 for youth ages seven to 18 years old, helping to teach thousands of children life lessons through the game of golf. Meekins was inducted into the National African American Golfers Hall of Fame in 1984 and was nominated for the 1993 LPGA Teacher of the Year. She was recognized by the National Golf Foundation (NGF) with the NGF Outstanding Service Award.

Marilynn Smith Scholarship
The Marilynn Smith Scholarship – named in honor of one of the LPGA’s 13 founding members – is awarded to 10 high school seniors who plan to play collegiate golf while pursuing a college degree. The 2011 recipients of the $10,000 scholarships are Kelsey Carney, Michelle Chen, Kathleen Fitzharris, Bailey Furgeson, Madison Goodfellow, Andrea Powell, Michele Schambs, Jennifer Smith, Ashton Stair, and Paige Whidbee. This year marks the first time that 10 Marilynn Smith Scholarships have been awarded. The number of recipients was doubled thanks to a $200,000 donation by Vivian Bucknam, who was a longtime friend of Smith and who passed away this year at the age of 92.

Kelsey Carney attended Northwest High School in Jackson, Mich., where she was a member of the girls’ varsity golf team for four years and earned All-State honors in each of her last three seasons. She also was a member of the varsity volleyball team and girls’ tennis team, National Honor Society, student government, Model United Nations and she coordinated the school health team. In addition to her accomplishments on the golf course, Carney was also named a Wendy’s High School Heisman School winner in her senior year and spent time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and the Jackson Interfaith Shelter.

Carney graduated high school in 2011 as the valedictorian of her class with a 3.92 GPA and plans to attend Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich., where she will pursue a major in special education with minors in math and elementary education.

Michelle Chen graduated from Plano West Senior High School in Plano, Texas, in 2011 with a 4.02 GPA. While there, she was a four-year member of the varsity girls’ golf team and was named the Texas Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year in 2008. In addition to the golf team, Chen was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society and the chapter leader for Girls Learn International to help educate girls in India. She also volunteered for the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation, working as a Cantonese/English translator between Hong Kong and North American regions, and helped out with her local Habitat for Humanity and Seven Loaves Food Pantry.

Chen plans to attend Brown University in Providence, R.I. She will major in commerce, organizations and entrepreneurship while continuing to volunteer for local programs in the Providence community.

Smithtown High School East student Kathleen Fitzharris graduated with a 4.06 GPA and plans to attend Alvernia University in Reading, Pa., where she’ll take part in their honors program, majoring in biochemistry before pursuing a Master’s degree in forensic science.

Fitzharris was selected as the most valuable player on her varsity golf team for three years and was named a captain of the team. In addition to playing golf, Fitzharris also was a member of the German Honor Society and National Honor Society. She helped found LEGACY, a charity for survivors of sexual assault, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity while also doing missionary work with St. James Lutheran Church.

Bailey Furgeson attended Del Oro High School in Loomis, Calif., where she was a four-year member of the girls’ varsity golf team, earning first-team all-league honors for three years, and graduated with a 3.96 GPA. A member of The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, Furgeson was chosen as president of the organization’s junior committee in 2010-2011 and spent time as a life skills instructor for the program. She tutored special needs children in Algebra, played the violin and volunteered as a golf instructor for the Roseville Parks and Recreation department.

Furgeson will attend St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, where she plans to major in english/communication in preparation for law school.

Madison Goodfellow, graduating with a 4.0 GPA, was a member of Iowa City West High School’s varsity

girls’ golf team, the National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions and 1440 Interact Club. A four-year honor roll student, Goodfellow also spent time outside of the classroom volunteering as a St. Mary’s Religious Education teacher, a neighborhood center after school tutor and taking part in the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.

Goodfellow plans to attend Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she’ll play on the golf team and major in biology and chemistry.

Hudsonville High School student Andrea Powell graduated with a 3.94 GPA and plans to attend Hope College in Holland, Mich., where she’ll study elementary education and play on the golf team. In addition to earning all-conference honors in golf during her junior and senior years, Powell was top individual No. 2 medalist for the Division 1 Regional Tournament during her final season.

Powell, who is from Jenison, Mich., was also active in many other activities during her four years of high school. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the honors chamber choir, the backstage crew for the school musical, a children’s small group leader at church and also a peer listening student leader at school.

Michele Schambs graduated from Zane Trace High School in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 2011 with a 3.90 GPA. She spent four years as a member of the boys’ varsity golf team, including two as captain of the team. Schambs was the first female golfer to be named to the All-Scioto Valley Conference team in what is an all boys league. In addition to her success on the golf course, Schambs was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society. She also spent nine years playing the violin and volunteered with the Chillicothe Jaycees and at the Adena Regional Medical Center.

Schambs will be attending the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, and plans to graduate with a Ph.D. in pharmacy.

Jennifer Smith attended Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, N.J., where she was a four-year member of the girls’ varsity golf team and graduated with a 4.10 GPA. Smith was also vice president of her class council, a peer mediator, and a member of the French Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She spent six years practicing Tae Kwon Do and has a second degree black belt. Smith also helped to fundraise for 2 Big Hearts and the Flemington Food Pantry.

Smith will attend Elon University in Elon, N.C., where she plans to major in international business.

Milton High School student Ashton Stair graduated with a 4.29 GPA and plans to attend Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville where she’ll study pharmacy and play on the golf team. Stair was regional champion for three straight years in high school and was named All-State first team in her senior year.

In addition to the success that Stair had on the golf course while growing up in Milton, Wis., she was also a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, history club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, show choir and a co-captain of the basketball team. Stair also took part in Link Crew Leaders and helped volunteer with Kids Against Hunger.

Paige Whidbee, graduating with a 4.0 GPA, was a four-year member of the Pullman (Wash.) High School’s varsity girls’ golf team and medalist at 18 high school tournaments. She also was vice president of the French club, Pullman School District Orchestra member and participated in the Pullman School District math team. Along with her school activities, Whidbee was very active in dance. For over 14 years she took advanced ballet, modern and tap dance with Northwest Dance Studio and worked there as a substitute ballet teacher. She also is a volunteer and trail steward for Moscow Area Mountain Biking Association.

Whidbee plans to attend Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., where she’ll play on the golf team.

The LPGA Foundation announces 2011 Scholarship Winners

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