Two Students Awarded Scholarships
Two Iowa students have accepted the Barbara J. Fackel Community Service/College Scholarship for $1,000. Both students attend Iowa State University. Joe Zehr is a freshman from Boone studying Agricultural Engineering. He was surprised and grateful to find out he was one of the recipients.
“As soon as I found out, I knew I was another step closer to fulfilling my academic and career goals,” he said. “Earning this scholarship will help me pay for books, supplies, and many other expenses in my future years at Iowa State University.”
Zehr said tennis had a large impact on his life, and he gives a lot of credit to Jim Huneke, one of his coaches over the years.
“Tennis has taught me the true benefits of teamwork and patience, and the importance of hard work,” he added.
Alex Upah of Huxley is the other scholarship recipient. He is also a student at ISU and is studying Physics and Computer Engineering. He has many good memories of tennis and his teammates over the years, and was thankful to have received this scholarship.
“I have also been able to tie tennis into my employment as I currently help teach youth tennis lessons which has been a valuable experience that without involving myself in tennis, I would never have gotten the chance to do,” Upah said. “Tennis has meant a lot because playing tennis has brought a lot of enjoyment and continues to do so in my life.”
The scholarship was established last year to honor the late Barbara Fackel, who left quite an imprint on the Iowa tennis community. She served in leadership positions in the USTA, the USTA Missouri Valley section, the USTA Iowa district, and the Bi-State Community Tennis Association. She is also a member of the USTA Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame.
The scholarship was established last year to honor the late Barbara Fackel, who left quite an imprint on the Iowa tennis community. She served in leadership positions in USTA nationally, served as president of USTA Missouri Valley among other positions, volunteered in USTA Iowa, and the Bi-State Community Tennis Association. She is also a member of the USTA Missouri Valley and USTA Iowa Tennis Halls of Fame.
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