Scholarships

 Each year, MWKF awards scholarships for excellence and improvement on and off the court.
Since 1997, more than $540,000 in scholarships has been awarded.
The MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation awards various types of scholarships. 

George M. Soper Memorial Trophy & Student Athlete of the Year Award

This scholarship is presented to the member who has the best "all around achievements" for the
year: on the court in the classroom and in the community. This award is sponsored by the Soper Family
in memory of their father, George, who was an active part of the ATP Tour Family and a friend of
MaliVai's before his death in 1996. The Student Athlete of the Year Award has been presented to: 

2012: Tatiyana Roberts           1997: Calvin Raines
2011: Benzell Lang                 2004: Kenia Stokes
2010: Trenden Davis               2003: Rijana Hadziavdic
2009: Adrienne Clark              2002: Marc Atkinson
2008: Shadarian Davis            2001: Markevius Collier
2007: Reggie Bryant               2000: Chanelle Holland
2006: Syreeta Smith              1999: Gracie Edmondson
2005: Keanna Bell                 1998: Candida Breland 
 

Extra Effort Awards

Extra Effort scholarships have been presented each year to deserving members who have made an "extra effort" in one or more areas: on the court, improving grades, attitudes and sportsmanship, solid academic performance, community service or other areas. 2011 Extra Effort Scholarships were provided by AT&T Pioneers, Michael Hadley, Unison, and USTA Serves.

President's Award

The President's Award is awarded at the "president's option" (MaliVai) to a young person who has
shown exceptional dedication and commitment to tennis, their studies and MWKF. Generally, the
member has previously won a "Player of the Year Award" and has been a member of the Foundation for a minimum of eight years. President's Awards have been presented to Candida Breland (2001), Marc Atkinson (2005), and Keanna Bell (2008).

Rick Murray "Don't Quit" Award

 
The Rick Murray "Don't Quit" award was established in 2008 by Rick's wife Sherry and children,
Allison, Scott and Mark to present to student athletes who do not give up in spite of any odds they face. Rick fought a nearly 10-year battle with ALS and during that time was a constant force raising funds for both MWKF and ALS. Rick's motto was "Don't Quit, Rick Won't." Rick attended numerous gala's and other fundraisers over the past 10 years and served as a member of the MWKF Board of Directors. The Rick Murray Scholarship recepients are: Deshawn Brown (2011), Reggie Bryant (2010), Neshele Scott (2009),Marc Atkinson & Brian Brooks (2008).

Charlie Rice "Fire Up" Award

The Charlie Rice "Fire Up" Award was established in 2010 to honor the memory of Charlie Rice and is presented to one senior who is "fired up" about college. The Charlie Rice Scholarship Recipient for (2011) Keanna Bell. Previous recipient is (2010) Neshele Scott.

Zoe Gaudet Scholarship

The Zoe Gaudet Scholarship was presented for the first time in 2011. Because it was the first year and there would be no seniors in 2012, the trustees awarded scholarships to both seniors Deshawn Brown and Keanna Bell in the amount of $8,000 each.

Other Scholarships

By partnering with organizations like Take Stock in Children and USTA Serves, the
MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation is able to offer a wide variety of scholarships to
students participating in our programs.