SVAA scholarship recipients with board members
Spring Valley Athletic Association officials presented more than $65,000 in scholarships to 31 outstanding graduates from nine area high schools on Sunday. The SVAA has been organizing recreational youth sports in North Dallas since 1968 with the help of more than 500 volunteers each year. The scholarship program was created last year for students with experience on at least one SVAA team, and many recipients enjoyed participating in multiple sports over multiple years.
“In my line of work, I get to do a lot of things that are purpose-based, and I get a lot of fulfillment out of my career, but this is my favorite thing to do all year,” SVAA board member Brian Slye told the students. “I get to interact with our future leaders, but the term ‘future leader’ is a disservice to this group, because you all are leaders right now. You should be very proud.”
“You all are incredibly sharp,” Slye continued, “you are purpose-driven, you have a lot of character, and you represent something really great in this community. SVAA has been around for more than 50 years, and our mission is to serve in an athletic way for all kids — access for all is our mission. We feel like the athletic world has sort of tilted toward a ‘pay to play’ environment, but we want to balance that out so that all kids have access. As you go out into the world, I would ask you to remember these times, remember SVAA, then go back and serve your communities. Leadership comes down to three things: (1) having great character and doing the things that are right when no one is watching, (2) having respect for yourself, your coaches, your mentors and your teammates and (3) serving your community.”
Recipients from Lake Highlands High School were Zachary Fuller (Texas A&M University), Wilson Dorminy (University of Miami), Traylon Willis (Millsaps College), Sally Chancey (University of Texas), Caroline Gibbs (UT),
Wright Morris (Texas Tech University), Nathan Ward (Texas Tech), Syncere Anderson (McMurry University), Cadie Iltis (Oklahoma State University), Oscar Whitaker (Oklahoma University), Kenneth Crowder (OU), Kate Duffield (University of Tennessee), Ryan Bougie (TAMU) and Aiden Stewart (San Diego State University).
Recipients from J.J.Pearce were Colby Wilks (UT), Rebekah Mandel (TAMU), Diego Garcia (University of Missouri), Cohen Lawson (TAMU), Grace Blankenship (University of Hawaii) and Max Federico (Abilene Christian University). From Richardson High Abigail Mitchell (TAMU), Brooke Everett (Texas Tech), Austyn Ybarra (TAMU) and MaKayla Carr (Western Oklahoma State College), and from Woodrow Wilson High John McKenna (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill).
Recipients from Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas Pierce Nikolai (TAMU or Baylor University) and Cooper McGough (Thrust Aviation School), from Prestonwood Christian Academy Angelo Morreale (UT), from Parish Episcopal School Max Westfall (Southern Methodist University), from Shelton High School Maddie Givens (University of Arkansas) and from Bishop Lynch Dash Raya (Mount Mercy University). Congratulations, all.
