Southern Nevada Student Earns $120,000 College Scholarship
To say the Chick Evans Scholarship is positively and dramatically changing lives is exactly how one should describe the transformational program that has awarded millions to deserving youth over the years. And, recently, the organization awarded another Southern Nevada student, Alejandro Cabrera Quintana, with a full-ride scholarship valued at $120,000 over four years. –By Brian Hurlburt, Las Vegas Golf Insider.
Quintana, a Las Vegas native, is a participant of the Western Golf Association’s Caddie Academy program, a unique summer program that provides caddie opportunities to academically promising young people who come from underprivileged areas across the nation. He has participated in the seven-week program, which is held in the Chicago area, for the past three years, caddying at Old Elm Club in Highland Park, Ill.
His unique story reflects the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record; excellent academics; demonstrated financial need; and outstanding character. He will begin college this fall at one of the 19 partnering universities, a decision that will be finalized by March 1.
Southern Nevada resident Tom Fitzgerald, the regional president of Las Vegas chapter of Evans Scholar Alums, knows first-hand the positive, lifelong impact the award will have. And he is thrilled to help Quintana on his educational journey. Quintana joins Reality Welch as Evans Scholars. Welch earned her award in 2020.
“We have six excellent high schools and organizations that serve up the cream of the freshman class for us to present the Evans Scholarship to them and their families for consideration,” says Fitzgerald, while noting that there will four additional Southern Nevada kids interviewed in 2021 and up to eight in 2022. “Those Guidance Counselors (we refer to them very respectfully as Cheerypickers) refer to us high GPA kids with solid work and study habits and proven family financial need.”
Fitzgerald also shared that Quintana will likely graduate third in his class of nearly 300 students at Bonanza High and has a younger brother who will likely apply for Caddie Academy when old enough (freshman year.) Quintana also has the best command of the English language in his family, and has been the family translator for years. His maturity is beyond his years and has only grown as he participated in the summer caddie program.
“Alejandro epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930,” said Western Golf Association Chairman Kevin Buggy. “His dedication, hard work and sacrifice is humbling, and we are honored to be able to help him pursue his dreams.”
Quintana is thrilled, excited and very appreciative of the valuable scholarship and overall caddying experience.
“Being a part of this amazing program is one of the best things that has happened to me,” Quintana says. “Being able to learn the game of golf up close, while having the opportunity to meet successful people, is something I will be thankful for my whole life.”
The selection meeting was one of more than 20 such meetings the Evans Scholars Foundation is holding virtually nationwide through the spring. When the 2020-21 selection meeting process is completed by April, an estimated 300 caddies across the country are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship. The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. Known as one of golf’s favorite charities, it is the largest private scholarship program in the USA.
Currently, a record 1,045 caddies are enrolled in 19 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,320 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
“Alejandro has shown excellence in the classroom and in his community, as well as on the golf course,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. “We welcome him to the Evans Scholars family.”
Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by 32,500 golfers across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $15 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. The BMW Championship is scheduled for Caves Valley Golf Club, Aug. 23-29, 2021.
To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit www.wgaesf.org. For local freshman or parents potentially interested in the caddie program, Fitzgerald can also be reached via email at [email protected].
Also, donations to the Evans Scholarship Foundation via The Par Club for junior caddy scholarships are welcomed from the WGA-affiliated Southern Nevada Golf Association Members and Clubs”. For more information click this link to the official WGA and Evans Scholars website
