Three Students' Unexpected Scholarship Victory Thanks to Golf Caddying
Three students from L.A. transformed their caddy jobs into scholarship opportunities that significantly impacted their lives.
Thanks to the Chick Evans Scholarship, Saint Monica Prep students Macayla Story, Johnnie Garcia, and Nicolas Vallejos have received life-changing opportunities. The WGA-sponsored program awarded them each $125,000 scholarships, relieving them of housing- and tuition-related expenses for four college years.
Story eagerly remembers the moment she received the acceptance letter in Palm Springs. Her mother called to inform her of a large envelope containing the news. Upon returning home, Story and her mother read the letter together, tears of joy streaming down their cheeks.
The students worked as caddies for two months during the summer, with Story traveling to Skokie Country Club in Chicago, and Garcia and Vallejos working with Los Angeles Country Club. While they were guaranteed pay for their work, they also had the chance to apply for the lucrative scholarships. After an extensive interview process in February, the scholarship winners were announced in April. They were the program's largest privately funded scholarship recipients in the nation.
Financing college was a challenge for Story, raised by a single mother. Accepting the scholarship means not only an academic opportunity for her but also a significant relief for her family. For Story, her entry into the world of golf was a lucky accident, as she knew nothing about the sport before enrolling in the summer program.
Similarly, Garcia annually knew little about golf but understood that the opportunity could lead to college without burdening his family with debt. During three summers, he worked five days a week, accumulating more than 100 rounds while caddying, one of the conditions for applying for the Evans Scholarship. The experience taught Garciá, whose parents work hard to provide him with opportunities, lessons in responsibility, punctuality, and understanding people's needs.
Vallejo also dedicated three summers to the caddie program. Raised by a Mexican family that worked hard to give him a good education, Vallejo says the scholarship's financial aid will help significantly in the long run.
Saint Monica Prep Principal James Spellman sees the scholarships as evidence that the school's educational model is successful. The school has had a close relationship with the Caddie Academy for many years and appreciates the unknown world that golf presented for many parents. However, the program's benefits extend beyond the money, teaching students valuable skills like responsibility, communication, and leadership.
The Chick Evans Scholarship, founded in honor of Charles "Chick" Evans Jr., grants golf caddies access to higher education. A program designed to reward dedication, academic excellence, financial need, and character, the Evans Scholarship has enabled thousands of caddies to attend universities across the country since its inception.
- Macayla Story, Johnnie Garcia, and Nicolas Vallejos, three students from Saint Monica Prep, received life-changing opportunities through the Chick Evans Scholarship.
- The trio worked as caddies during the summer, with Story in Chicago at Skokie Country Club and Garcia and Vallejos at Los Angeles Country Club.
- The students, including Los Angeles native Garcia, found personal growth and valuable life lessons through their summer caddying experiences.
- Saint Monica Prep, acknowledging the benefits of the Chick Evans Scholarship, has seen its educational model as successful, providing students with opportunities for both academic growth and self-development.
