Eight Dallas ISD Seniors Receive Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarships

June 18, 2024
Educational program tops $2.5 million in awards

  • Educational program tops $2.5 million in awards
  • Four-year University of North Texas at Dallas scholarship awarded
  • Four-year University of Texas at Arlington scholarship awarded


DALLAS and FRISCO, TX (June 18, 2024) – Today, Deloitte*, the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) and United Way celebrated the eight recipients of this year’s Deloitte/NTPGA Fairway to Success scholarships – a program that has now awarded more than $2.5 million to 96 Dallas ISD students over the past 17 years.


Alan De La Torre, Amy Lopez, Olayinka Ojo, Jocelyn Owens, Briana Perez and Stephanie Rodriguez each received a $20,000 college scholarship, which are funded through donations from Deloitte partners, principals, managing directors and professionals in North Texas.


Additionally, in collaboration with the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas), a full, four-year scholarship to the university was awarded to Jada Cole. And, Daisy Mondragon was awarded a full, four-year scholarship in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).


“The University of Texas at Arlington is proud to collaborate with Deloitte and the Northern Texas PGA’s Fairways to Success.  The commitment and dedication to student success through access and opportunity have transformed the educational landscape in the region.  Congrats to this year’s scholars,” said Michele Bobadilla, University of Texas at Arlington, Senior Associate VP Outreach & Community Engagement.


Established in 2007, the Fairway to Success program annually awards scholarships to students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need. The program spans four DISD high schools – W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln and David W. Carter – and includes introducing students to golf and the life lessons of discipline, honor and integrity that are central to the game.


“Deloitte is proud to continue to support the Fairway to Success program. We see firsthand the benefits of sponsoring and mentoring young people in the community and offer our enthusiastic support to this year’s scholarship recipients,” said Dan Berner, North Texas Managing Partner, Deloitte LLP. “I’m proud of the work our professionals have done to support these students this year. It’s our hope at Deloitte that the students continue to succeed and apply the skills they’ve learned – both in the classroom and on the golf course – to their future professional endeavors.”


During the 2023-2024 school year, 79 DISD students took part in a virtual six-week college prep program led by Deloitte professionals as well as an after-school golf program. Students learned the basics of golf from PGA professionals, and graduating seniors who qualified by participating in the program had the chance to apply for the scholarships.


Fairway to Success also includes a mentorship component to support the scholarship recipients throughout their college careers. Scholarship recipients interact with Deloitte mentors who share their insights gained from working in a professional services environment. Mentors also help students explore potential career opportunities in the business and STEM-focused fields of study.


“Year after year we are so incredibly proud of our students and the work they do. I cannot thank Fairway to Success enough for recognizing the work that these students have done as well. We know that all our students need to be successful is opportunity and support. As they graduate from high school and with their associate degree, Fairway to Success provides them with the opportunity to attend a 4-year institution through scholarships and the support they need through mentorship. I look forward to our continued collaboration for many years to come,” said Jason Jewell, Assistant Principal at W.W. Samuell High School.


The NTPGA also employs past Fairway to Success recipients as interns each summer, furthering the recipients’ golf education that began on their high school campuses through Fairway to Success.


The 2024 Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success scholarship recipients are:


Jada Cole – Lincoln High School (UNT-D Recipient)
Jada is a 2024 graduate of Lincoln High School. She will pursue higher education at the University of North Texas - Dallas with plans to study psychology. Jada was a multi-sport athlete at Lincoln and also served as captain for the wrestling and power-lifting teams. Jada competed in track and field, and this most recent season she set the district record for women's pole vaulting. Not only was Jada involved in athletics, but she also served as the historian for the school’s student council. This summer, she is interning with PepsiCo in the Human Resources department. 


Alan De La Torre – David W. Carter High School
Alan is a 2024 graduate of Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center and David W. Carter High School was his home school for athletics. Alan has yet to decide where he will be attending school in the fall but intends on studying physical therapy since his goal is to one day he would like to be a physical therapist for a professional sports organization. Alan has a strong passion for soccer and is hoping to continue his career in college. Alan is the first of his family to attend college, while also being a first-generation high school graduate. When asked about his experience with Fairway to Success, he said he most enjoyed learning patience when playing golf. While in high school, Alan completed an internship with The Dallas World Aquarium. 


Amy Lopez – Thomas Jefferson High School
Amy, valedictorian of the 2024 Thomas Jefferson High School class, will attend the University of Southern California in the fall. Amy is moving to the West Coast to study pharmacology/drug development. She grew this passion by studying with her sister who is currently a pharmacy tech. Her goal is to one day work for big pharma in research development. In her free time, Amy enjoys painting, specifically using acrylic, or watching Disney movies. 


Daisy Mondragon – W.W. Samuell High School (UTA Recipient)
Daisy, the salutatorian of the 2024 W.W. Samuell High School class, is heading to the University of Texas at Arlington to study architecture.  In her younger years, she developed an interest in architecture. Even though she is the youngest in her family, she will be the first to attend college. When asked about the Fairway to Success program, she mentioned that she enjoyed getting to know her classmates better while golfing. 


Olayinka Ojo – W.W. Samuell High School
Olayinka, originally from Nigeria, is a graduate of the Early College High School Program and W.W. Samuell High School. Olayinka has intentions to further her education at the University of Texas at Arlington or Texas Woman’s University on the pre-med track. In her free time, Olayinka enjoyed running track for Samuell High School, where she also was team captain. She also manages her schoolwork with a part-time job at IHOP. She has a genuine interest in helping kids and has set a goal of becoming a pediatrician. 


Jocelyn Owens – Lincoln High School
Jocelyn is a 2024 graduate of Lincoln High School. Upon graduation, she will be headed to the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT-D). During her time at UNT-D, she will be a part of the track and field team and has the intention to study chemistry. Her career goal is to become a dentist. During high school, Jocelyn kept busy by being involved in the academic decathlon, e-sports club, and the local Boys & Girls Club. If she is not busy with school activities, she has a passion for cooking. This passion was introduced to her by her grandparents who operate a local catering business. The biggest lesson she learned while in high school is to take chances and not leave room for regret. 


Briana Perez – Thomas Jefferson High School
Briana is a 2024 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, as well as the P-Tech program, earning her associate's degree from Brookhaven College. This coming fall, Briana will be heading to Austin to attend the University of Texas and pursue studies in early childhood education. Briana was a part of the high school wrestling team and also worked El Rancho being promoted to head cashier. Briana wants to continue to be an example to her younger siblings by showing her leadership. 


Stephanie Rodriguez – W.W. Samuell High School
Stephanie, a 2024 graduate of W.W. Samuell High School and the Early College High School program, will attend the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) to study international business with a focus on German. Currently, her sister is also attending UTA and studying for the same degree, which influenced Stephanie. She hopes to study abroad while in school and to one day be a project manager for a German company. Stephanie has also found a connection with the
Harry Potter series. Her sister introduced her to the series, and she stated that she feels a connection to them because of the mentor Harry had in Dumbledore is how she would describe how she views her older sister.


*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.

By Logan Bearden June 9, 2026
Frisco, Texas (June 9, 2026) – The Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) Foundation is pleased to continue its charitable commitment to higher education by announcing our 2026 scholarship recipients. Ninety high school seniors who will be attending college this fall have earned scholarships totaling $947,500, breaking last year’s record by $184,500! Since its inception in 1983, the Foundation’s scholarship program has now reached an incredible milestone, surpassing 1,000 scholarships awarded for a lifetime total of nearly $7.5 million in student support. “What amazing numbers these are!” said Northern Texas PGA Chief Executive Officer Mark Harrison. “The growth and support we have seen for our scholarship program over the last few years is remarkable, and truly unmatched. I want to thank all of our partners who make this year-over-year record possible, and I also want to congratulate and wish the best of luck to the young men and women who have worked diligently throughout high school to receive one of our scholarships this year. I know they will go on to do great things.” The 2026 scholarship amounts vary from $2,500 to $20,000. In addition, two students were awarded a “last-dollar” full scholarship to two of the Foundation’s partner schools, the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNTD) and the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and one student was awarded a full-ride scholarship to the University of North Texas, which is a new partner school for this year. Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship recipients: A.B. Crockroft Memorial Scholarship Saydi Durbin – Mart High School Ethan Hocking – Mart High School Allison and Jerry Freeman Scholarship Niko Klassen – Homeschool ANNIKA Foundation Scholarship Alicia Bellendir – Coppell High School April and Mark Anthony Scholarship Huey Black – Canyon High School Baylor Scott & White Scholarship Garrick Ly – Lone Star High School Aliya Rasheed – Panther Creek High School Ben Hogan Foundation / Fred & Michele Reynolds Scholarship Jeffery Rubenstein – Highland Park High School Ben Hogan Foundation / Lillie Biggins Scholarship Mikayla Martin – Homeschool Ben Hogan Foundation / Mike McMahan Scholarship Adam Strauss – Greenhill School Ben Hogan Foundation / Mike Wright Scholarship Gracie Ellis – Clarendon High School Birdies For Kids Scholarship Sydnee Fain – Midland High Jade Mara – Argyle High School Cameron Doan NTPGA Golf Professional of the Year Scholarship Landon Reece – Mildred High School CJ Corporation Scholarship Katherine Bustetter – Centennial High School Harper Mallonee – Highland Park High School Luke Martin – Rockwall-Heath High School Delaney Newberry – Highland Park High School Yunjae Park – Prosper High School Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship Yvette Altamirano – W. W. Samuell High School Matisse Edwards – David W. Carter High School Abril Guerrero – Thomas Jefferson High School Ariel Meza Meza – Thomas Jefferson High School Sa'Mareion Tucker – Lincoln High School Camyre' Williams – Lincoln High School Destination Grapevine Texas Women's Open Scholarship Audrey McCallum – Colleyville Heritage High School Dr. Bill Blair Scholarship Cameron Warner – Wakeland High School Ewing Automotive Scholarship Hannah Antunes – China Spring High School Avery Jones – Homeschool Fore Frisco Scholarship Amara Okafor – Lone Star High School Rajdeep Singh – Panther Creek High School Lauryn Spraggs – Panther Creek High School Nikki Zahedi – Lone Star High School Frank & Evelyn Borgsmiller Scholarship Alan Ocampo – Thomas Jefferson High School Fritz and Mary Lee Duda Family Foundation Scholarship Taylor Carr – McKinney Boyd High School Giveback Foundation Scholarship Jelani Johnson Simon – Panther Creek High School Evan Tupper – Lone Star High School Holly & Doug Brooks Family Foundation Scholarship Keegan Batla – Garden City High School Darby Ehrbar – Flower Mound High School Tyson Embry – Marcus High School Caroline Fent – Ursuline Academy of Dallas Riley Gudgeon – Hebron High School Xiyu Mei – Walnut Grove High School Jude Robbins – Wakeland High School I Am a Golfer Foundation Scholarship De'Asia Williams – David W. Carter High School Jackie Cupit Scholarship Brody Callens – White Oak High School Jerry Andrews Scholarship Dylan Wisener – Sachse High School Jerry J. Ransom Scholarship Max Cearley – Rockwall High School Brooks Head – Coppell High School Reed Heilig – Flower Mound High School Brooklynn Landrumm – Melissa High School Van Leugers – Rockwall High School Haylie Moore – Burleson Centennial High School Bryan Sargent – Walnut Grove High School Joe Black / Texas Golf Hall of Fame Scholarship Jacob Mekelburg – Maypearl High School Joe Bob Joyce Family Foundation Scholarship William Wampler – Canton High School Jon and Kim Morgan Scholarship Aashi Vakta – Justin Wakeland High School Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Scholarship Damir Ali – Thomas Jefferson High School Marely Angeles – Lincoln High School Dayanara Aquino – W.W. Samuell High School Montrell Horner – Lincoln High School Links on PGA Parkway Scholarship Anisaa Abdullah – Emmett J. Conrad High School Reagan Lorenson – McKinney North High School Daphny Moore – Keene High School M&P Group Texas State Open Scholarship Samuel Fate – Tyler Legacy High School Mac Spikes PGA Member Scholarship Anabelle Floriani – Lone Star High School Miss Katie Scholarship Gloria Solis – Thomas Jefferson High School Never Stop Believing Scholarship Annabeth Boyd – Trinity Preparatory Academy Perry Arthur Scholarship Faith Hughes – Community Christian School Philip Bleakney Scholarship Samuel Williams – Vilonia High School Randy Smith Scholarship Carson Niemann – Byron Nelson High School Ronny Glanton Scholarship Addison Akers – Bryan Adams High School Ronny Golf Park Scholarship Madison Bixler – Lone Star High School Riaan Nazrul – Panther Creek High School Carlo Rogers – Panther Creek High School Royal Oaks Country Club / Nicholas Stafford Scholarship Kian Sköld – Frisco High School Scottie and Meredith Scheffler Scholarship Austin Morrissette – Northwest High School Addelyn Schwarzlose – Tascosa High School Sherrill Park / Two Dads and a Coach Scholarship Kristin Coffman – Berkner High School Tehan Scholarship Cooper Knapp – Wylie High School The CJ Cup Byron Nelson Scholarship Aiden Tiet – Garland Christian Academy UNT / Fore Frisco Scholarship Kayla Rochez – Panther Creek High School UNTD / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship Daisy Navarro – W.W. Samuell High School UTA / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarship Leibi Chavira Reyes – W.W. Samuell High School West Texas Legends Scholarship honoring Jenny Cox Claire Smiley – Amarillo High School West Texas Legends Scholarship honoring S.A. Smith, Hart Warren, Jay McClure, and Sherwin Cox Gunnar Barrera – Levelland High School Three additional scholarship winners will be announced later this June, with recipients selected via random drawings at two upcoming events. First, the Jerry J. Ransom Pro-Junior-Am fundraising tournament will award a $5,000 scholarship to a participating recent graduate. Later in the month, the S.A. Smith West Texas Junior Invitational will host a drawing for two $2,500 memorial scholarships in honor of Jerry D. Smith, one awarded to a male participant and one to a female participant.
By Erik Anderson June 2, 2026
FRISCO, Texas (June 2, 2026) – Following a milestone celebration of their 20-year partnership this May, the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) and Ewing Automotive Group are proud to announce a five-year extension of their agreement. This agreement ensures the Ewing Automotive Group will remain a key supporter of golf in North Texas through 2030. Under the extended terms, Ewing Automotive Group will continue as the title sponsor of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour and its three competitive tours. As one of the largest programs of its kind in the United States, the Junior Tour serves approximately 4,500 members (ages 6–19) and conducts more than 450 tournaments annually. The pathway includes The Prep Tour powered by Ewing Subaru of Plano, The Medalist Tour powered by Ewing Buick GMC, and The All American Tour powered by Mercedes-Benz of Plano. A recent addition to the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour is the Randy Smith Tour . This non-competitive tour is a beginner-friendly tour focused on fun, teamwork, and learning, and is the first step on the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour pathway. Since the partnership’s inception in 2006, the scope of junior golf in the region has expanded significantly. The Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour has hosted over 6,565 tournaments and facilitated approximately 365,000 rounds of golf. Annual event totals have more than doubled, rising from 200 tournaments in 2006 to 457 in 2025. Beyond the numbers, the Junior Tour has become a premier proving ground for elite talent. Alumni of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour have secured nine Major Championships, including titles won by Scottie Scheffler (4), Jordan Spieth (3), Angela Stanford (1), and Brittany Lang (1). Remarkably, since 2006, NTPGA Junior Tour alumni have produced more major champions than entire nations, including England, Australia, Spain, and South Africa. The extension also reaffirms Ewing Automotive Group’s commitment to the Northern Texas PGA Foundation through the continued hosting of the Ewing Charity Classic. Over the past 30 years, the Ewing Charity Classic and its predecessor, The Westcott Pro-Am, have raised over $6.3 million to support community outreach programs. Furthermore, the "Closest-to-the-Hole" contest, a tradition started by Fin Ewing III in 2012 to recognize and thank participating PGA professionals, will continue through 2030 by awarding a new car for first place and cash prizes for second and third places in the shootout. “Learning to play golf as a child was an incredible blessing that provided priceless time with my father and brother,” said Finley Ewing IV, CEO of Ewing Automotive Group. “We credit golf for our close family relationships, and that passion eventually led to scholarships at Vanderbilt and Texas Tech for my brother, Charlie, and me, providing access to amazing opportunities. We are honored to help provide that same foundation for the next generation.” The partnership extension also secures vital funding for the NTPGA Foundation’s scholarship program. Two Ewing Automotive Group scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, will be awarded annually to graduating seniors. This contribution supports a program that has grown from $62,000 in total annual giving in 2006 to $947,500 in 2026. “Simply put, we could not achieve our mission at the Northern Texas PGA without the unwavering support of Fin Ewing III and his family,” said Mark Harrison, CEO of the Northern Texas PGA. “The Ewing name is synonymous with golf in North Texas, but more importantly, the family represents the very best of our community. Their generosity allows us to go above and beyond in serving our PGA professionals and growing the game. We are thrilled to formally extend this partnership, but even more grateful to continue the friendship through the end of the decade and well beyond.”
By Logan Bearden May 28, 2026
FRISCO, TX (May 28, 2026) – This week, Omni Hotels & Resorts, alongside the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA), hosted a celebratory breakfast to honor five Frisco ISD seniors who received a Fore Frisco scholarship at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa. The 2026 Fore Frisco scholarship recipients are Amara Okafor, Kayla Rochez, Rajdeep Singh, Lauryn Spraggs and Nikki Zahed. Now in its second year, Fore Frisco is a need-based scholarship program that is a joint effort between the NTPGA Foundation and Omni Hotels and Resorts aimed at helping local students by considering their academic performance, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. The two participating Frisco ISD high schools in this program are currently Panther Creek and Lone Star High School. More than 30 students from both schools participated in a five-week program hosted at The Ronny Golf Park and learned the fundamentals of golf at The Ronny Golf Park. In addition to learning golf skills, students gained insight into career opportunities in hospitality at Omni Hotels & Resorts as well as careers in golf. Upon completion of the program, eligible students could apply for a scholarship.  Fore Frisco embodies Omni Hotels & Resorts ‘Heart for All’ commitment to championing our communities in meaningful, lasting ways. At Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, we are proud to support a program that not only provides financial assistance but also opens doors for local Frisco ISD students through mentorship and exposure to careers in golf and hospitality. Watching these students gain confidence and envision their futures is incredibly powerful, and we are excited to see Fore Frisco continue to grow its impact across Frisco,” said Jeff Smith, Vice President & Area Managing Director, Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa. Furthermore, each recipient will be paired with a mentor from the leadership team at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa to help guide them throughout their college years. An exciting and impressive addition for year two of this program, the University of North Texas joined as a partner to offer one full-ride scholarship to a Fore Frisco participant who had interest in attending UNT. The winner was Kayla Rochez. "We are proud to partner with Fore Frisco to create opportunities for exceptional students to unlock their full potential. Program participants at UNT are highly successful. We are honored to award a full scholarship to Kayla, who represents the very best of what this partnership makes possible,” said Harrison Smith, Ph.D., President of The University of North Texas. “Year two of the Fore Frisco program was a great success, and the addition of UNT as a partner and these five students are a testament to that,” said Mark Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Texas PGA. “Amara, Kayla, Rajdeep, Lauryn and Nikki represent what this program is all about, and I know that they are going to impress us as they begin their college journeys. We have great support from both flagship high schools, their staff and the Omni team. We feel very fortunate to have the ability to keep building the Fore Frisco program.” More about the 2026 Fore Frisco scholarship recipients: Fore Frisco $20,000 Scholarships provided by Omni Hotels & Resorts: Amara Okafor - Amara is a graduate of Lone Star High School and is heading to the University of Texas at Dallas to study Business Administration. While visiting Nigeria with her family last year, Amara volunteered with underprivileged children in the community and discovered an interest in law as she witnessed the impact that legal professionals can have on the lives of others. Amara loves spending time with her family and is looking forward to serving as a summer camp counselor before starting classes in the fall. Rajdeep Singh - Rajdeep is a graduate of Panther Creek High School and plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall. Inspired by the work ethic of his parents, Rajdeep has been involved in a variety of programs, such as the Frisco Mayor's Youth Council, Subiendo Academy with the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, and Student Ambassadors. Rajdeep plans to study Business to help others have access to financial education. In his free time, Rajdeep enjoys fishing and teaching Bhangra dance to younger children. Lauryn Spraggs - Lauryn is a graduate of Panther Creek High School and will be attending Xavier University of Louisiana in the fall. While at Panther Creek, Lauryn was a Student Ambassador, an active member of the Swim and Dive team, and involved in the art program. Lauryn plans to study Biology and pursue medical school to dive into a career in reconstructive surgery. When asked about her takeaways from Fore Frisco, Lauryn said, "I learned more than I ever expected - about golf, business, and even myself." Nikki Zahedi - Nikki is a graduate of Lone Star High School and will attend the University of North Texas in the fall to study Psychology. While at Lone Star, Nikki was a part of the yearbook team, served as the Team Manager for the Rangerettes Drill Team, and was also a member of the National Honor Society. Nikki is passionate about becoming a child psychologist in hopes to make a positive impact on children's and families' lives in the same way others made an impact on her growing up. UNT Full Ride Scholarship Recipient: Kayla Rochez - Kayla is a graduate of Panther Creek High School and will be attending the University of North Texas in Denton in the fall. The middle child of five, Kayla, has a strong support system and is inspired by her older siblings to pursue higher education. By participating in the school's track team, Kayla grew in her discipline and was selected as a team captain as a result of her work ethic. Kayla is pursuing a degree in Business with the hopes of becoming an accountant.
By Logan Bearden May 5, 2026
PGA of America Golf Professional Wins $50,000 in Closest-to-the-Hole Shootout
April 7, 2026
Congratulations to Stephen “SJ” Sanders, Jr., an 11-year-old from Grand Prairie, Texas, on winning the Boys 10–11 division at the Drive, Chip, & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club. Sanders delivered an impressive performance, highlighted by a 245-yard drive and a putt to 10 inches to help secure the victory. He began playing golf at age six and has been a member of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour for five years, competing in more than 100 tournaments. His win on a national stage is a testament to his hard work, dedication and passion for the game. Well done, SJ! 
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