2018 USTA TEXAS NJTL WHATABURGER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

USTA Texas and Whataburger are proud to present the 2018 USTA Texas NJTL Whataburger Scholarship to two deserving winners. Mauricia Gallegos of Corpus Christi and Isaiah Jordan of DeSoto were each awarded $1,000 for college expenses. The scholarship is open to graduating seniors and past NJTL participants currently enrolled in college.

Mauricia is a 2018 graduate of Moody High School in Corpus Christi and has been involved with the local NJTL, Tennis Success Inc., for the last three years. She is starting her freshman year at Texas A&M - Kingsville, where she will pursue a degree in Biomedical Science and a Doctorate in Pharmacology.

“Mauricia has been an active participant in the Tennis Success Program for several years and has had a positive impact on the other kids in the program,” Tennis Success Board Member Ron Woods says. “She has helped with tutoring the younger kids and is active in all the fundraising events that support the program. Mauricia’s strengths are in her persistence and due diligence in accomplishing tasks and always seeking excellence in all endeavors she attempts.”

“[Tennis Success Inc.] has provided many resources to help me prepare for tasks at hand and build enough self-confidence to prove to others, and even myself, that I am capable of great things,” Mauricia wrote in her essay. “I hope to continue to foster the supportive nature of the tennis community and encourage others to grow as I have.”

Isaiah graduated DeSoto High School in the fall and has been working with the Dallas Tennis and Education Academy for the past two years. Isaiah entered the University of Arkansas in August with a major in Computer Science and plans to become a video game designer.

“As most coaches say, ‘I wish I had this player one more year, and Isaiah is that player for me,’” says Jason Samuels, Isaiah’s tennis coach at DTEA. “His commitment to excellence is easily observed and his dedication to improving is impressive. As he progressed in tennis, he also maintained high academic performance -- his pursuit of academic excellence equals what he shows on the court.”

“I am a proud cancer survivor and was not able to play sports during my time of treatment,” Isaiah wrote in his personal statement. “After I healed and was able to play sports, I tried them all. I learned that tennis was my passion. I hope to continue to play tennis in college and be a junior coach for the NJTL in the summers.”

Whataburger has served as a long-time partner of the section and presenting sponsor of the USTA Texas NJTL program. The USTA Texas NJTL Whataburger Scholarship has enabled some of the section’s most outstanding members to continue their education for the last six years.

The USTA Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors who:

• Demonstrate academic achievement (3.0 minimum GPA)
• Perform community/volunteer service
• Participate in an organized youth tennis program such as National Junior Tennis and Learning
• Demonstrate financial need

USTA Texas would like to thank all who applied and wish the best to Mauricia and Isaiah in their future endeavors.