Scholarships

Each year, MWKF awards scholarships for excellence and improvement on and off the court. Since 1997, more than $300,000 in scholarships has been awarded. The MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation awards various types of scholarships:

George M. Soper Memorial Tropy & Player 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 Player-of-Year Award has been presented to:

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

Extra Effort Award

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, improving attitude/sportsmanship, solid academic performance, community service or other areas.

President's Award

The President's Award is awarded at the "president's option" 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 (2009) Neshele Scott, (2008) Marc Atkinson & Brian Brooks.

Other Scholarships

By partnering with organizations like Mercedes-Benz USA, Take Stock in Children and the Debi Andreanssen Memorial Scholarship the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation is able to offer a wide variety of scholarships to students participating in our programs.