LPGA Foundation Announces 2019 Marilynn Smith Scholarship Recipients

Scholarships awarded to 30 high-school graduates

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., July 2, 2019 – 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 2019 recipients will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Abbi Fleiner graduated from Reno High School in Reno, Nev., where she was senior class vice-president in her final year and appeared on the school's Honor Roll from 2015-2019. She led her high school golf team to three consecutive Northern Nevada 4A Regional Championships and placed in the top 10 at the Nevada State Girls' High School Golf Championships for two years in a row.

Fleiner plans to attend the University of Northern Colorado and major in business. Beyond that, she hopes to pursue a career in either finance or marketing and become "a productive member" of society.

Abigail Grevel graduated from North Muskegon High School in North Muskegon, Mich., where she was executive vice-president of the Student Council in her senior year and a member of the National Honor Society from 2018-19. A talented all-round sportswoman who represented her high school at basketball and soccer, Grevel was the No. 1 player on the varsity golf team and the team captain from 2016-19.

Grevel will attend Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., where she has designs on either becoming a pharmacist or entering the Professional Golf Management Program.

Ali McCarthy graduated from Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tenn., where she was president of the National Honors Society, a Model United Nations delegate and a Golf Camp counselor. She was captain of the varsity golf team and the number one player for four years, becoming the first girl ever at the high school to sign for collegiate golf, maintain the lowest stroke average and win a golf tournament.  

McCarthy plans "to take advantage of all the academic and golf opportunities that will be given to me" while she studies law as an undergraduate at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., before going on to law school.

Allison Schrock graduated from Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac, Ill. She was a member of the National Honor Society for two years, a 2018-2019 Illinois State Scholar and a member of the Tri-M Music Society from 2017-19. She represented the varsity golf team for four years, was voted MVP for all of those years, and was a four-time Illinois High School Association Individual Girls Golf State Championship qualifier.  

Schrock will attend Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., to study business or education and play on the ISU women's golf team. Her long-time goal is to become an LPGA Tour player or a collegiate women's golf coach at the NCAA Division 1 Level.

Ana Tsiros graduated from Asheville High School in Asheville, N.C., where she was vice-president of her senior class and a member of the National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and the Spanish club. She was an All-Conference player for all four years of high school golf, player of the year as a junior and senior and won the 2018-2019 3A Individual State Championship. 

Tsiros will be attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., where she plans to major in biology before going on to dental school and specializing in endodontics. 

Annabella Mascot graduated from Agoura High School in Agoura Hills, Calif., where she played on the varsity golf team for each of her three years there and was co-captain for two. She was an All-League selection in 2017 and 2018 and placed in the top 10 of more than 30 junior golf tournaments. She was also a five-time California Scholarship Federation member and a three-time Principle Scholar Athlete Award recipient. 

Mascot will attend Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., where she plans to earn a degree in physics. From there, she would like to pursue a graduate degree, with the long-term goal of becoming a scientific researcher in the field of physics, specifically a theorist in astrophysics. 

Annika Johnson graduated from Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, N.J., where she was captain of the boys' varsity golf team for four years, the Most Valuable Player for the past three and successfully represented her school in both girls' and boys' events. She was a member of the National Honor Society, on the High Honor Roll from grade 9-12 and senior editor on the school's yearbook committee. 

Johnson will be attending Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., where she plans to major in English for Secondary Education before obtaining a master's degree and becoming a high school English teacher. Beyond that, she would like to write and become involved with the creation of Broadway plays and/or television screenwriting.

Aubrie Torhorst graduated from Waterford Union High School in Waterford, Wis. She played on the varsity golf team for all four years and was captain and MVP for the last two. A three-time member of the All State High Honor Academic Team and also of the All-Conference team, she was President of the National Honor Society in 2018-2019 and president of her senior class.

Torhorst will attend Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, where she will "likely pursue a degree in biology in preparation for medical school" before going on to become a dermatologist. She would also like to obtain a degree in studio art, either as a minor or double major.

Ava Dillow graduated from J. Graham Brown School in Louisville, Ky., where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, National Society of High School Scholars and the Kentucky United Nations Assembly. She has been the top player on the co-ed varsity golf team since the 6th grade and while competing on the PGA Kentucky Junior Tour over the past six years, has been Player of the Year twice and runner-up twice. 

Dillow plans to attend Centre College in Danville, Ky., with the goal of earning a major in economics and finance with a minor in political science while also playing on the women's golf team. After college, she intends to pursue a master's degree in business and marketing before going on to establish her own my financial agency. 

Carmen Tucker graduated from Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, N.C. A member of the Academy of Scholars and the National Honors Society, she was president of the Key Club from 2018-19 and co-chairwoman of the Global Counsel for the same period. She also served as assistant music coordinator at St. Patrick's Vacation Bible School. She played on the varsity golf team for all four years and was captain in 2017 and 2018. 

Tucker will be attending Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., where she plans to major in biology before going on to medical school. "I want to become a doctor, like my mother," she says.

Caroline MacVicar graduated from Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where she was an AP Scholar recipient and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, National Beta Club and Science National Honor Society. Co-captain of the varsity high school golf team, she went to State in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and was named to the to the AHSAA All-State Golf Team in 2018. 

MacVicar will attend Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., where she plans to major in biology or computer science. After that, she would like to attend medical school at Columbia University to earn a doctorate before going on to become a physician.

Eden Hall graduated from Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, Calif., where she played on the varsity golf team for all four years, and was vice-president of both the Student Leadership-Associated Student Body and the Children of the American Revolution (CAR) California State Society. In her senior year, she was MVP and captain on the golf team, and named to the Foothill Valley All-League Team.

Hall will be attending University of St. Thomas in Houston, where she intends to major in biology before going on to dental school. Long-term, she would like to establish her own dental practice.

Elizabeth Fritsch graduated from Montpelier High School in Montpelier, Ohio, where she was an active member of the National Honors Society, treasurer for the Montpelier Student Council and a member of the Spanish club. She helped start the first all-girls golf team at Montpelier High School and went on to earn the team's MVP award in 2015 and the coach's award in 2018.

Fritsch will attend the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, where she will pursue a bachelor's degree in biology before going on to optometry school. "After optometry school, I plan on volunteering with an organization overseas to help the less fortunate receive eye care," she says.

Emily Hunt graduated from Sandwich High School in Sandwich, Mass., where she was on the school's high honor roll and a member of both the National Honor Society and Key Club. She played four consecutive years on the men's varsity golf team, the first two of them as the only girl, and in 2019 was appointed captain of the inaugural women's golf team. In 2017 and 2018, she was a coordinator for LPGA*USGA Girls Golf.

Hunt has enrolled in the five-year Masters program at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., where she will study business administration with a focus on marketing. "My dream job is to work as a national or international marketing campaign manager for companies such as Spalding, Titleist or Taylormade," she says.

Jaden Cardoso graduated from Fremont High School in Fremont, Ind., where she was co-captain of the school's softball team, class vice president and secretary and volunteered for charitable work for organizations such as Trees Church and United Way. She captained the varsity golf team in her senior year as the school's number one golfer and was named an NECC All-Conference Athlete, KPC Media All-Area Athlete and Academic All-State Athlete.

Cardoso will attend Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., where her goal is to earn bachelor's degrees in mathematics and information systems before going on to pursue a master's degree and doctorate in mathematics. She has longer-term hopes of becoming either an actuary or a cyber-security specialist.

Jasmine Harris graduated from Lake Wales High School in Lake Wales, Fla., where she was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, the Environmental Club and the Debate Club. She also served as treasurer of the Science Olympiad for two years. She played on the varsity golf team for all four years, helping them make it to regional three times and to state in 2018. As an individual, she placed second overall in the 2018 regional tournament. 

Harris will be attending the University of Miami where she hopes to obtain a bachelor's degree in in science. Long-term, she would like to work in a place such as the Center for Disease Control where she can help find cures for diseases and viruses. 

Jessalyn Shipp graduated from Platte County High School in Platte City, Mo., where she captained the robotics team for four out of five years, was awarded two Academic Letters and earned three National Qualifier Awards for robotics as well as Judges Awards, Sportsmanship Awards and a Design Award. She was a varsity letterman for four years on the golf team and helped the team win three conference championship titles and four All-Conference Titles.

Shipp has been accepted by four universities and plans to play collegiate golf while obtaining a biomedical engineering degree. After that, she hopes to get a five-year accelerated master's degree with a minor in robotics before going on to work on medical technology. 

Jocelyn Nyblom graduated from Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minn., where she fully embraced school life. She was team captain of the varsity soccer, basketball and golf teams, a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council and vice-president for two years of the Distributive Education Club of America. As a golfer, she was a varsity letterman for five years, her team's player of the year on three occasions and a three-time All-Conference selection. 

Nyblom will be attending Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn., where she plans to double major in Spanish and business with a concentration in marketing. Ultimately, she would like to carve out a career in global marketing.

Juliette Ruaux graduated from Robert A. Millikan High School in Long Beach, Calif., where she was an AP Scholar with Distinction and was awarded the Principal's Honor Roll. She was co-vice-president and co-founder of the Kindness Club and a student coordinator for LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Southeast LA. She captained the Millikan girls golf team for three years and was the MVP in the ninth, 10th and 11th grades. 

Ruaux plans to attend university and receive a double major in general biology and French with a minor in applied mathematics. Beyond that, she would like to attend graduate school and eventually become either a STEM researcher or work in international relations.

Katherine Welch graduated from Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii, where she was a member of the Hui Malama Club, completed the Senior S.T.E.M. Capstone Project in her junior year and served as Senior Class Senator for her last three years. She played on the varsity golf team from 2016-2019 and helped her team finish second in the 2018 Oahu Interscholastic Association Championship at Turtle Bay. 

Welch has been accepted into five universities on the U.S. mainland where she plans to pursue a degree in environmental science before one day returning to Hawaii to help restore the native habitat for that state's endangered species. 

Madeline Catalano graduated from Lewiston-Porter High School in Youngstown, N.Y., where she was president of the National Honors Society and the school band. She was also captain of the varsity golf team and the number one player on the school's boys' team. She spends her free time volunteering at Mount St. Mary's Hospital. 

Catalano plans to continue playing collegiate golf at Towson University in Townson, Md., while studying psychology to pursue a career as a sports psychologist. 

Madeline Owens graduated from Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Ohio. She was captain of the varsity golf team from 2016-2018 and a member of the National Honors Society. A talented and all-rounded sportswoman, she was awarded the Warrior Leadership award that recognizes students who excel in leadership in the area of extracurricular activities throughout the year. 

Owens will be attending Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, where she hopes to earn an undergraduate degree in biology before going on to obtain a doctorate in physical therapy. 

Malini Rudra graduated from Syosset High School in Syosset, N.Y., where she a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She has many outstanding debate achievements that include being the winner of the International Global Tourism Summit Hawaii and a semi-finalist at the Harvard Invitational in JV Public Forum. 

Rudra will attend Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., where she intends to major in political economics. She would also like to attend law school and get a Juris Doctorate degree with the long-term goal of becoming an attorney at a prestigious New York City law firm.

Mariella Simoncini graduated from Northville High School in Northville, Mich., where she was a member of the National Spanish Honors Society and the Rotary Interact Club. She played for the school's girls golf team for four years, earning MVP honors in 2017 and 2018 and becoming captain during her senior year when she led the side to its first-ever undefeated season and the state title.

Simoncini will be attending Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., where she hopes to help her team win their Horizon League Championship and qualify for the NCAA nationals. She will also pursue a major in finance or economics.

Mary Janutolo graduated from University School in Johnson City, Tenn., where she was recognized on the Honor Roll from 2016-2018, served as an orientation leader and was also a member of the Beta Club. In 2018, she was recognized as University School Athlete of the Year and the Tri-Cities Travel League Winner in a local golf event. 

She plans to attend Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tenn., where she will pursue a bachelor's degree in science in nursing before going on to obtain a doctoral-level degree as a nurse practitioner.  Her goal is to use her knowledge "as power in order to tackle any obstacle" that may stand in her way. 

Mia Grzywinski graduated from Farmington High School in Farmington, Conn., where she a member of the choir and chamber singers, the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the National Honor Society. She was recognized as the MVP on the varsity girls' golf team from 2016-2018, earned a second-degree black belt in mixed martial arts and was awarded the COLT Award for excellence in foreign language in 2016 and 2018. 

Grzywinski will attend Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., where she plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in software engineering and computational biology. Her long-term goal is to establish a career in a STEM-related field. 

Muskan Uppal graduated from Cannon School in Concord, N.C., where she earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award four times and was a finalist for the USGA-AJGA Presidential Leadership Award. She served as head girl of the house advisory system and captained the varsity golf team in her junior and senior years while also leading the side to three state champion titles with the low scoring average each season. 

Uppal will be attending the University of Richmond in Richmond, Va., where she hopes to earn a degree in business marketing and finance with a minor in journalism. Long-term, she would like to set up her own golf academy where she will help amateur players further their own careers. 

Olivia Galigher graduated from Tuscarawas Valley High School in Zoarville, Ohio, where she was president of the Youth to Youth (youth-led drug and alcohol prevention group), a member of the National Honor Society and recognized on the Honor Roll. She played on the varsity golf team, helping them win the school's first conference championship in her senior year while she earned First-Team All-Conference and First Team All-District honors. 

Galigher will attend Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, where she plans to study mechanical and aerospace engineering with the career objective of becoming an aerospace engineer.

Sydney Grimes attended Isle of Wight Academy in Isle of Wight, Va., where she was an active member of the French Honor Society, the National Honor Society and the Key Club. Co-captain of her school's golf team from 2015-2018, she was the MVP in 2015, 2016 and 2018 and earned the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award on the girls' varsity basketball team from 2015-2017. 

Grimes plans to attend Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., and play on their college team. Her long-term goal is to become a sports commentator on Golf Channel.

Taylor Bohan graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Elkview, W.Va., where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, and appeared on the Honor Roll every semester. She was the top player on the varsity golf team for three of her four years in the starting lineup, and recorded two wins in Callaway Junior Tour tournaments.

Bohan will attend Concord University in Athens, W.Va., where she plans to major in secondary education with a minor in English before going on to earn a master's degree. Beyond that, she would like to coach the golf team at the school where she ends up as a teacher.