La Lumiere School seniors Bella Kaplan and Jack Ruszkowski, both from Michigan, City, Ind., have been awarded the Evans Scholarship for caddies following a final selection meeting held at Long Beach Country Club in Long Beach, Ind. They are among 14 seniors who were selected from the state of Indiana who will each receive a full, four-year housing and tuition college grant; Bella for Purdue University in West Lafayette and Jack for Indiana University Bloomington.
Western Golf Association Chairman, David Robinson says, “Each of these deserving Evans Scholars epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930. Their dedication, hard work, and sacrifice is humbling, and we are honored to be able to help them pursue their dreams.”
Bella and Jack are caddies at Long Beach Country Club under the guidance of WGA Director Richard McNamee, who they both say has been an excellent mentor and guide for them as caddies and throughout the scholarship application process. Richard has devoted much of his time and effort toward the Evans Scholarship program and says, “I intend on getting two scholarships a year for every remaining year I have on this earth.”
At La Lumiere, Bella is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She also plays soccer and basketball for the school and plans to study veterinary medicine at Purdue University in the fall. “I am extremely excited and honored to be given this opportunity,” she says. “I have learned many lessons regarding respect and discipline as a caddie, and I will carry them with me throughout my life.”
Jack is a member of the National Honor Society and the Science Olympiad team at La Lumiere and has played football for the last four years. Jack plans to study business and chemistry at Indiana University, and says, “I am thankful and excited for this wonderful opportunity. I have learned how to deal with pressure and make quick decisions as a caddie and have become a much more confident person.”
Currently, a record 935 caddies are enrolled in 20 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 10,400 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
“Based on their excellence in the classroom and their service to their schools and communities, there is little doubt that these young men and women have worked hard to earn this life-changing opportunity,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”