The VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation awards more than $ 90,000 in 2021

COURTESY PHOTO

Despite the challenges in education over the past year , the VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation still found plenty of worthy recipients for this year ’ s awards . Twenty-eight high-school seniors and three graduate students studying turfgrass science at Virginia Tech earned awards .

The Foundation provides grants and gifts for scholarships , scientific and educational research , and other charitable purposes . This year ’ s grants totaled $ 91,500 . Since being launched , the program has distributed nearly $ 2.6 million to 1,054 students .

“ Although the size of this year ’ s applicant pool was a bit smaller than normal , the overall quality of the group was very strong ,” VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation president Michael Millen said . “ We proudly congratulate this year ’ s 31 award recipients and thank all of our participating clubs and VIP cardholders for their generous support in 2020 .”

Ashburn ' s Jonah Han earned the 21st C . Dan Keffer Award .

The 2021 grants include the 21st C . Dan Keffer Award ($ 7,000 ), which goes to an individual in honor of the former VSGA- VIP Scholarship Foundation Committee Chairman . This year ’ s recipient was Ashburn ’ s Jonah Han , a graduate of Independence High School .

Charlottesville ’ s Mia Liang , a graduate of Albemarle High School , earned this year ’ s Spencer-Wilkinson Award ($ 7,000 ), which draws from a fund formed by Debbie Spencer and Mary Nell Wilkinson . Since its formation more than 20 years ago , 55 young women have received Spencer-Wilkinson scholarships .

The Red Speigle Award ($ 5,000 ), named in honor of the late longtime teaching professional from the Peninsula area , was given to Portsmouth ’ s Matthew McEwen , a Churchland High School graduate . The David A . King Award ($ 5,000 ), which the senior amateur golfer established in 2002 , went to Kaushal Kambham of Centreville , who graduated from Chantilly High School . The Richard Smith Award ($ 5,000 ), given in remembrance of the VSGA ’ s longtime director of championships and supporter of junior golf , went to Quint Dingledine of Richmond , who graduated from Monacan High School .