College of Charleston Scholarship Grant

The Family Circle Cup Community Outreach program is all about making a difference in the community. In 2002, the tournament started a scholarship grant at the College of Charleston for outstanding female student-athletes who excel both on and off the playing field. Every year, $5,000 is donated to a well-rounded student whose accomplishments include giving back to the community. The scholarship winner is selected based on a number of criteria including academic accomplishment, volunteerism/community involvement, financial need, and athletic accolades. This year’s winner is junior Mary Zolga, a Business Administration major and member of the College of Charleston’s Women’s Track & Field team. In addition to the $5,000 grant, Zolga will have an opportunity to meet a world class tennis player competing in the Family Circle Cup.

“I am very grateful for the Family Circle Cup’s generosity,” commented Mary Zolga. “It is a true honor to receive this grant and to represent the College of Charleston. These funds will greatly buffer my educational expenses as I finish my academic and athletic career as a Lady Cougar.”

Each scholarship applicant was asked to write a short essay on what makes her a good candidate for this scholarship. Through her letter, Zolga, a junior from Raynham, MA conveyed that she is as ambitious about education and volunteerism as she is about her athletics. She also expressed her love of the Charleston campus and how proud she is to call herself a Lady Cougar.

Pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing, Zolga holds a 3.43 GPA and is a two-time Southern Conference Scholar-Athlete (2008, 2009) and two-time Student-Athlete of the Week (2009, 2010). As a middle distance runner on the Cougar track and field squad, she was the Track & Field MVP in 2008 and 2009, and holds the individual school record in the 400-meters, which she set at the 2008 Southern Conference Indoor Championships.

Passionate about volunteerism and her community, Zolga has already completed over 200 hours of volunteer service throughout the Charleston area. She contributed 100 hours to Bingo for Books, an elementary school book program, as well as extensive service with the College of Charleston’s Maroon Mayhem program, Relay for Life, St. Thomas Food Bank, Mount Pleasant Track & Field Clinic, and Family Fun Run. In addition to volunteering and performing well in the classroom and on the field, Zolga works part-time as a waitress at Juanita Greenberg’s Nacho Royale, a Mexican restaurant, in downtown Charleston.

“When we started this scholarship nine years ago, we wanted to honor a female student-athlete who exemplified commitment to her education, athletics, and community,” commented Eleanor Adams, Family Circle Cup Tournament Manager. “This scholarship lets us recognize and celebrate Mary’s remarkable achievements, and we applaud Mary for her success and wish her the best of luck throughout the rest of her collegiate and professional career.”

Photo Right: Vera Zvonareva, Mary Zolga, and Melanie Oudin pose for a photo after Mary participated in the pre-match Coin Toss on Friday, April 16th, 2010.

Historical Scholarship Winners   *All data from original scholarship applications.

2009: Isabel Boersma
Student Athlete: Isabel Boersma From: Franklin, TN Major: Biology Year: Sophomore GPA: 3.3 Sports: Track & Field Volunteerism:  - Post-Anesthetic Care Unit at MUSC  - Mt. Pleasant Track & Field Clinic  - Tour guide at College of Charleston
Academic Accomplishments:  - Vice-President of Cougar Student-Athlete Advisory Board (2008)  - Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll (3.3 GPA)	Athletic Accomplishments:  - School record in 60-meter hurdles  - Sixth in pentathalon at conference championships	"Receiving the Family Circle Cup scholarship is an honor and an undeniable proof that there are rewards for passion- ate, hardworking, young women."	"I can spend more time doing the things I love: volunteering, studying, and running."
2008: Megan Manthey
Student Athlete: Megan Manthey From: Ferndale, Washington Major: Sociology Year: Junior GPA: 3.46 Sports: Soccer Volunteerism:   - Mentor to 6th and 7th grade girls   - Reads to children at elementary schools  - Assists with services at Seacoast Church
Academic Accomplishments: - U of Colorado Honor Role (2005-2007)    - U of Colorado Dean's List (2006) - Academic All Big-12 First Team (2006) - Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll	Athletic Accomplishments: - CofC Player of Week (2007) - Started all 20 games in '07 - Shared team lead w/4 goals - Led the team with 37 shots	“My goal is to pursue soccer professionally, not only because of my passion for the game, but also to serve as a female role model.	"I plan to use the money to buffer my expenses in my senior year, and to make myself more available to the charities I’m involved with.”
2007: Katie Hedley
Student Athlete: Katie Hedley From: Richmond, VA Major: Arts Management Year: Sophomore GPA: 3.88 Sports: Cross Country and Track & Field Volunteerism: - Elias Club - Komen Charleston Race for the Cure - Mt. Pleasant Track Club
Academic Accomplishments:    - Perrenial Dean's List student   - SoCon Comm. Award (2007)   - Phi Eta Sigma   - Spring All-Academic Team   - Fall All-Academic Team   - Academic Honor Roll	Athletic Accomplishments: - SoCon Runner of Week - 2-time CofC Athlete of Week   (2006 & 2005) - CofC Coach’s Choice Award - Led team in the 2006    NCAA Southeast Regional	"This grant will allow me to greatly increase my volunteerism throughout the community, and help me in many other ways throughout my college career.”	“My dream is to introduce underprivileged children to the theater so they have an equal opportunity to appreciate the benefits of culturally enriching activities."
2006: Teryn Schuetz
Student Athlete: Teryn Schuetz From: Sarasota, FL Major: Elementary Education Year: Junior GPA: 3.9 Sport: Soccer Volunteerism: - Habitat for Humanity - Relay for Life - WYMCA - Physical Fitness Day Instructor
Academic Accomplishments: - Highly Distinguished Honors (3 yrs.)	Athletic Accomplishments: - CREF Academic All-    Conference Team - Game-winning goal vs. Elon - #10 in CofC’s All-Time     scoring list (30 pts.)	“I get the thrill of a lifetime aiding others by teaching, tutoring, or just talking to a child who needs a mentor."
2005: Kaycie Carr
Student Athlete: Kaycie Carr From: Sylvania, Ohio Major: Elementary Education Year: Junior GPA: 3.6 Sport: Volleyball Volunteerism: - Habitat for Humanity - Big Brothers/Big Sisters - Read - a - Thon and the Folly Beach Sweep
Academic Accomplishments: - National Society of Collegiate Scholars	Athletic Accomplishments: - Co-captain of 2004 NCAA    tournament team - 1st team All-Southern Conf - 2004 TIAA-CREF Fall     Academic All-SoCon team - Led SoCon in assists - American Volleyball Coaches    Assoc. All-South Region
2004: Kylie Palmquist
Student Athlete: Kyle Palmquist From: Middletown, CT Major: Biology Year: Sophomore GPA: 3.7 Sport: Track & Field / Cross Country Volunteerism: - Charleston Soup Kitchen & Clean    Sweep - Girls on the Run - Alliance for Planet Earth
Academic Accomplishments: Faculty Honors (2002 & 2003)	Athletic Accomplishments: - 1st in 5k Citadel Invitational - SoCon Runner of the Week - 84th in NCAA Cross Country     Regional - Won 3000m - Coastal Car.    Chanticleer Classic - Won 5000m at Weems    Baskin Relays	“In both running and school, I strive to achieve and succeed in order to educate myself, and become the best person I can be athletically and intellectually.”
2003: Chakosha Lance
Student Athlete: Chakosha Lance From: Georgetown, SC Major: Biology and Psychology Year: Freshman GPA: 3.6 Sport: Track & Field Volunteerism: - Charleston Soup Kitchen
	Athletic Accomplishments: - Won Hammer Throw in    numerous events - 1st Cougar to win Conf    champ. Track & Field    in weight throw at     SoCon indoor champ.	- 2004 NCAA East Regional    Track & Field Qualifier -1st    NCAA Regional qualifier    in school history - School record in weight    throw (16.33m)
2002: Claire Wigfall
Student Athlete: Claire Wigfall From: Mt. Pleasant, SC Major: English Year: Freshman GPA: 3.6 Sport: Soccer Volunteerism: - Church Choir (14 years), Board    Member and Usher - Little Peles - Clean City Sweep
Academic Accomplishments - Put herself through school - Outstanding Marks in H.S.    (Wando H.S.)	Athletic Accomplishments: - 13 goals (6th all-time at    CofC) - 88 career shots (3rd all time     at C of C) - 31 shots on goal (3rd all time    at C of C)

College of Charleston Quick Facts
School: College of Charleston
Location: Charleston, SC
Enrollment: 11,617
Founded: 1770
President: Dr. George Benson
Athletics Director: Jo Hull
Affiliation: NCAA Division I
Conference: Southern
Colors: Maroon and White
Nickname: Cougars