2019 NVSL Scholarship Recipients
Wed, 7-31-2019Our five scholarship recipients were announced this past week at NVSL All Star Relays--this year, we are pleased to announce the following recipients:
Community Service Scholarship Leah Horan
Leah has been a member of the Tuckahoe Swim team for 14 years. She qualified for All- Stars five times (2011-2015) and is a Senior Coach / Winter Coach at Tuckahoe. Leah is a graduate of the McLean High School with Academic Honors, receiving service hour recognition. She was selected as the team captain of the Varsity Swim Team in her senior year. Leah traveled to an orphanage in Honduras in her junior and senior year as part of the Heart-to-Heart Children Village program, teaching young kids English, arts and music, and giving swimming lessons. She also conducted a fundraising campaigns enabled the orphanage to purchase solar panels. Leah was a member of her school’s National Honor Society, as well as Math and English Honor Societies and member of the Cyber Patriots Club (cyber security). She was selected for American Legion Virginia Girls State, where she was elected as the Attorney General. Leah will be attending the University of Georgia in the fall to study Political Science.
Presidents’ Scholarship Troy Young
Troy is a 13 year member of the of the Ravensworth Farm swim team and a 12 year member of their dive team. He competed in NVSL All Stars in both swimming and diving, receiving High-Point awards and serving as a swim coach and as a co-head dive coach. Troy attended Lake Braddock Secondary School, where he was on the swim and dive and soccer teams. He was selected as captain of both teams. He was a member of the Bruin Minds Matter club, DECA, and participated in the state level science fair. Troy organized a swim-a-thon fundraiser benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Troy will be attending Catholic University of America in the fall, studying Biomedical Engineering on the Pre-med track.
Spirit Scholarship Kate Billingsley
Kate has been a member of the Parklawn swim team for the past 13 years. She was the team’s junior coach for the last 2 years and assisted with the Winter Swim program. She received several team awards for “demonstrating spirit, encouragement for younger swimmers, and friendship to all” and “going above and beyond for the good of the team.” She served as the leader of the “Great Piranha” program. Kate attended Justice High School (formally J.E.B Stuart HS) where she served on the School newspaper as a staff writer, Business Manager, and Lifestyle and Online Editor, ending as the Managing Editor in her senior year. She was also in the Concert Orchestra and played on the Basketball team at her HS. Kate was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish and Quill and Scroll Honor Societies. She is also a member of the Key Club, volunteering for numerous community service activities and some with a global impact. Kate will be attending Clemson University in the fall, majoring in business with a minor in Computer Science.
Sportsmanship Scholarship Cara Patrick
Cara has been a member of the Little Rocky Run swim team for the past 9 years. She has coached for the Stingrays as a junior coach and as the mini team head coach. She received the Coaches’ Award four times and received a High-Point Award. Cara attended Centreville High School where she swam on the Varsity Swim Team for four years, competing in regional and state meets and was the captain in her senior year. She was a member of the Key Club (webmaster), Class Board of 2019 (all four years), the National Honor Society (secretary), Social Studies and Math Honor Societies, and co-founder of the Advocates for Female Empowerment club. She provided the Scholar Speech at the graduation for her HS on the importance of community. Cara will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall, studying in the Honors College with a major in Public Relations.
Excellence in Technique Scholarship Alexus Chua
Alexus has been a member of the Fair Oaks swim team for the past 7 years. She was an assistant coach helping with the younger swimmers on the team and lead the winter swim program for the past 2 years. She was a High-Point winner on several occasion and awarded the Spirit Award from the team. Alexus attended Oakton High School and was a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Math and Science Honor Societies. She was a Scholar Athlete as member of the Varsity Swim Team for 4 years, team captain in her senior year, and coached peers with special needs in all aspects of swimming. Alexus has volunteered for the Centreville Volunteer Fire Department since 2017 as an EMT. She has been on several mission trips in various areas of the world to include Cambodia, Croatia, and Chicago. Alexus will be attending George Mason University in the fall, majoring in nursing.
About the NVSL Scholarships:
- Community Service Scholarship created in honor of George MacDuff and daughter Melinda. George served as the Leagues Records Chairperson for many years
- Spirit Scholarship created in honor of Olivia Aull to recognize spirited swimmers and divers from within the NVSL family.
- Sportsmanship Scholarship created in honor of Joan Olson, long time Director of the NVSL and Chairperson of the Swimming Seeding Committee who was a passionate advocate for sportsmanship.
- Excellence in Technique Scholarship created in honor of Lou Sharp, founder of the Competition Swim Clinic, who guided generation of NVSL swimmers in stroke technique and love for swimming.
- President’s Scholarship created in honor of the volunteers who served as the NVSL League Presidents.
