Number of recipients increased by 10 to 20 high-school graduates

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, August 20, 2014 – The LPGA Foundation announced today that, this year, 20 high school graduates were selected to receive Marilynn Smith Scholarships of $5,000 each. The number of recipients has increased by 10 since the scholarship’s establishment in 1999 by LPGA founding member, Marilynn Smith. High school seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic excellence, leadership skills and active involvement and service to her community, while also planning to play collegiate golf, are eligible to receive the scholarship.

The 2014 recipients are: Samantha Beal, Ashley Chubbuck, Kamryn Cummings, Olivia DeMartino, Annie Getzin, Blake Greenup, Courtney Grovogel, Jade Hess, Tara Ivey, Emma Jacoby, Carleen LaPlant, Michaela Matheson, Megan McCutcheon, Jennifer Peng, Kelsie Rhyne, Bethany Salgado, Sydney Snodgrass, Riley Swenson, Haley Wagner and Lindsey Williams.

Samantha Beal graduated from Columbus High School, Columbus, OH, where she served as President of the Art Club, Chair of the National Honor Society and a representative on the Student Council. Beal played on the golf team, dropping 10 strokes a year since her freshman year, and dominated in intramural basketball. In addition to her school activities. While she has challenged herself academically and athletically, she has also strived to make a difference in her community by fundraising and raising awareness for those with cancer.

Beal will attend Nebraska Wesleyan University in the fall to pursue her goal of becoming an Anesthesiologist.

Ashley Chubbuck graduated with High Honor Roll status from Erskine Academy, South China, Maine. Her school activities ranged from Business Club member, to National Honor Society member, to Prom Committee to Yearbook club member. However, she still found time to participate in the American Cancer Society – Relay for Life, Walk for Hunger, Drama Club and the Alfond Youth Center. Being the only girl on her High School Varsity Golf Team, she showed the boys that she was a force to be reckoned with.

Chubbuck plans to attend Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire to study Mass Communications.

Kamryn Cummings graduated from Central High School in San Angelo, Texas in the top 10% of her class. Earning her Bronze and Silver Award in Girl Scouts, she has been a loyal member since the 1st grade. Aside from school and Girl Scouts, Cummings played on the varsity golf team, placing in the top five in every tournament her senior year. She even broke the course record at Diamond Back Golf Club with a 64!

Cummings plans to attend Texas Tech and major in Biology or Chemistry to then pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant.

Olivia DeMartino graduated from Canfield High School, Canfield, Ohio, with a 3.94 GPA and awards such as the ACC First Team League, Northeast Ohio Honorable Mention, Presidential Cup, Coaches Pick, Most Consistent and Rookie of the Year. Having played piano for 11 years and focused on history and music, DeMartino is a well-rounded athlete and scholar. She aspires to one day be a part of the United States government and live the “American Dream.” DeMartino plans to attend Mount Union University in the fall.

Annie Getzin graduated from Jasper High School, Jasper, Indiana. She participated in many organizations, including the Jasper Girls Golf Team, Student Council, Scrapbooking Committee, Homecoming Committee, Varsity Choir, Key Club, Natural Helpers, French Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Business Professionals of America, Mathletes and Teacher Helper. Even with all of these extra-curricular activities, her academics didn’t suffer one bit as she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. On top of that, she has been awarded numerous golf awards, which proves she loves a challenge.

Continuing her desire to play golf and become a golf professional, Getzin will attend Eastern Illinois University in the fall.

Blake Greenup graduated from Heppner High School in Lexington, Oregon as a Tri-Sport athlete and the captain of her golf, rodeo and basketball teams. In school she was a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Class Student Body and the Associative Student Body. Being a leader has come naturally for Greenup as she was also the president of the Future Business Leaders of America. Even though Greenup was an active member in the Ecumenical Youth Group, Ford Family Foundation, Heppner Chamber of Commerce and Oregon Barrel Races Association, she still found time to place in the top 20 in her state golf tournament in 2012.

Greenup plans to attend Southwestern Oregon Community College and obtain her associates degree in business as a first step in her pursuit to become a lawyer.

Courtney Grovogel graduated from Winder-Barrow High School, Winder, Georgia, after being on a golf team where she called her teammates “sisters.” Her love for golf started during her sophomore year where she absolutely fell in love with the sport. Growing her team from one to seven girls in three years is just one example of her leadership capabilities. She was also in the National Honor Society, HOSA and a 4-H teen leader. With her interests lying in science and math, Grovogel plans on attending Truett-McConnell College to pursue a career as a nurse.

Jade Hess attended Newell-Fonda High School in Fonda, Iowa after being a member of the A-Honor Roll and National Honor Society as well as being an academic letter winner. She had a hand in just about every school activity possible, including the softball team, basketball team, golf team, jazz band, drum line, marching band, concert band, pep band, family consumer science club, all-school play crew, all-school play cast and Student Council (class representative). Aside from school, she started a free, two- week golf camp for juniors ages 8-13 where she taught the children the basics of golf and helped them learn about personal goal setting.

Hess plans to attend Coe College in the fall and receive her degree in biology and neuroscience to then pursue a career in medical research.

Tara Ivey graduated from George County High School, Lucedale, Missouri, with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a resume that includes participation in the Journalism Club, Beta Club and Interact Club. She was also the yearbook editor! Ivey strongly believes in working hard and utilizing the sport of golf to “keep herself humble.” In her application she even quoted Bobby Jones, saying “Golf is the closest game we have to the game called life.” With this mindset, Ivey considers each day a new day to learn, give back, and cherish those around her. Although her golf course shut down five years ago, she plans on going to college and coming back to reignite the passion for golf and open those doors back up.

Ivey plans to attend William Carey University and major in business administration with hopes of becoming an accountant.

Emma Jacoby has been playing golf since she was five years old. Graduating from Lincoln North Star High School, Lincoln, Nebraska, she was in the National Honor Society, on the Golf team, and a part of the yearbook staff. With all of her extra-curricular involvement—and brain surgery that took away two months of her summer before junior year—it’s remarkable that she was able to finish school holding every golf record possible, including “low score.” Jacoby enjoys reading, drawing, being with friends and family and golfing. Her creative instinct and academic success has her deciding among a few different majors, including graphic design, marketing and business. She will attend Concordia University in the fall with all intentions to succeed in any major she chooses.

Carleen LaPlant graduated from Tecumseh High School, Techumseh, Michigan, with a 4.0 GPA, concluding a memorable and exciting four years. After being Treasurer of the National Honor Society, part of the Student Athlete Advisory Council and in the Varsity Club and French Club, La Plant still found time to take three mission trips, work at the local soup kitchen, babysit and receive numerous sports and academic awards. Her golf game has been developing since she could walk and truly blossomed when she started playing competitively during her freshman year. Building on her successful high school years, LaPlant plans on attending Indiana Wesleyan University in the fall and can’t wait to play for the Wildcats! Academically, she hopes to major in athletic training and then continue her education and earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Michaela Matheson graduated from Hampton High School, Elizabethton, Tennessee, having been recognized as a Tennessee Scholar for her outstanding academic career, remaining in the top 10% of her class all four years. In 2011 she was even named the student of the month! Aside from her academic success, her hobbies include playing golf, going on mission trips, attending church events, community service activities and travelling. Matheson has logged just over 740 community service hours and was named Three Rivers Conference MVP in 2011, 2012 and Co-MVP in 2013.

Matheson plans on attending Milligan College to major in Allied Health/Pre-Pharmacy.

Megan McCutcheon graduated from Lewis Palmer High School in Monument, Colorado, after participating on the varsity golf team, being a member of the key club and spirit club and serving as president of the ping pong club.

Playing golf since the age of two she has risen to be a star, placing second in the regionals tournament in 2012 and third in 2013. She was also the team MVP both of those years. McCutcheon loves to learn and teach others, specifically special needs children. Therefore, she will attend CSU-Pueblo in the fall to study elementary education in math in her pursuit to be a teacher and work with special needs children.

Jennifer Peng graduated from Torrey Pines High School, San Diego, California, after being a main contributor and team captain to an undefeated (out of 100 matches) golf team. That undefeated record essentially earned her team the State Champions title for all four years as well as league and C2F champions titles. While golf and academics take up most of her time, during Peng’s free time she enjoys running, baking, reading, knitting, and participating in Key Club community service outings. She will be attending Yale University this year and is interested in studying economics or global affairs. After she graduates, Peng hopes to pursue a career as a professional golfer or become a golf coach!

Kelsie Rhyne, graduated with a 3.955 GPA from Alexander Central, Taylorsville, North Carolina. She captained the varsity basketball and golf teams and participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Beta Club, and Spanish Club. Outside of school, golf and charity work have been her main focus. She has played golf since she was five years old, and on top of that, she volunteers for the Special Olympics and at the Levine Children’s Hospital. Being at the hospital made her realize that her dream is to work in the medical field.

Rhyne will attend Brevard College where she will major in pre-med.

Bethany Salgado graduated from Pine Creek High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado, after having been on the Principal’s Honor Roll all four years. Her success in school also transferred to her extra-curricular activities: she was an avid volunteer at her church, National Junior Honor Society President, MVP of her golf team and even made time to coach volleyball for Play it Now Sports.

Salgado will attend the University of Texas at Dallas to pursue a degree in global business and will work as a missionary during any free time she may have.

Sydney Snodgrass attended Ritchie County High School, Ellenboro, West Virginia, with a 4.05 GPA. Snodgrass was the only girl on her golf team and the first girl to be named All-State in golf in West Virginia. She was a four-time, all-conference winner, named All-State three times, and an integral part of the two-time State Championship team. Not quite settled on the career she wants to pursue, she plans on attending the University of Alabama Birmingham to major in either Forensic Science or PGA Management.

Riley Swenson graduated from Simley High School, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, after being the soccer captain, golf captain, Spanish club member, on the Student Council, in National Honor Society, and participating in the friendship club. Every day she is inspired by the quote, “Great moments are born from great opportunity…This is your time! Now go out there and take it!” Living by this saying, she has participated in every opportunity to volunteer, taken as many honors and AP classes as possible and played golf as much as she could (earning her the MVP title).

Swenson plans to attend the College of Saint Benedict and major in biochemistry with a minor in Spanish on her path to become a surgeon.

Haley Wagner graduated from Daniel Boon High School, Gray, Tennessee, in the top 10% of her class. She was an active member in both the Beta Club and National Honor Society. Not only did she play all four years on the golf team, but she was on the varsity softball team for three of those years as well. After suffering from an injury she felt a need to help others, so she became a volunteer at the local hospital, helping patients with recently replaced hips and knees. She has also been a part of the Challenger League, which helps children with disabilities play baseball.

Recognizing her passion for helping others, Wagner will attend Samford University on her journey to becoming a physical or occupational therapist.

Lindsey Williams graduated from Frenship High School, Wolfforth, Texas, after having been a part of the Frenship Foundation, Make-a-Wish Foundation Committee, National Honor Society, Golf Team, and Photography club. She has an extraordinary passion to play golf and demonstrated that when she went through, not just one, but two, kneecap dislocations and physical therapy sessions. Once healed, she was determined to succeed and learned the nuances of the game from an LPGA member, who became her mentor. Williams hopes to return the favor one day and plans on attending Lubbock Christian University to major in exercise health and sports science. She would like to become a golf coach and educator.

LPGA Foundation announces 2014 Marilynn Smith Scholarship Recipients

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