The Davey O’Brien Foundation on Jan. 14 announced the six finalists for the 33rd Annual Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Award. The Oakridge School’s Zoe Fowler is among the six students named.
The scholarship, underwritten by Higginbotham and Simmons Bank, is presented each January to an exceptional senior student-athlete in North Texas. This year’s finalists also include: JoJo Gum (The Hockaday School), Hannah Mandell (Justin Wakeland High School), Charlie McCullough (Allen High School), Emma White (Lovejoy High School) and Madison Whitmire (Prosper High School).
“Each and every year the selection committee is genuinely amazed by the quality of applicants for the award,” Chairman of the High School Scholarship Selection Committee David O’Brien Jr. said. “We are so pleased to have this group of outstanding young student-athletes associated with the Davey O’Brien Foundation. I have said it many times, but the legacy of this award is what my father would be most proud of.”
The recipient of the $30,000 scholarship will be announced Tuesday, Jan. 22, during the 12th Annual Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Luncheon held at The Fort Worth Club. The Foundation will award $2,500 scholarships to each of the five remaining finalists.
The Foundation has given away more than $1 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. Recipients of the High School Scholarship Award are chosen on the basis of scholastic achievements, community service, character, leadership and varsity sports participation. As part of the selection process, the committee will interview all six finalists.
The winner will be honored Monday, Feb. 18, at the 42nd Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner alongside Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award recipient Kyler Murray of Oklahoma.
A limited number of individual tickets for the dinner are available in the Sunset Room for $200 each, a portion of which is tax deductible. Please contact the Davey O’Brien Foundation at (817) 338-3488 for more information.
About the Finalists
Zoe Fowler (The Oakridge School)
Zoe Fowler is a three-sport athlete, participating in swimming, field hockey and track and field, and owns a 4.64 GPA on a 4.0 scale. She twice was named the swimming team’s MVP and also earned all-region accolades from the Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association twice. Fowler serves as the President of the National Honor Society and also is a member of the Key Club. Additionally, she is a three-time member of the Texas Private School Music Educators Association all-region choir and was an all-state honoree as a senior.
JoJo Gum (The Hockaday School)
JoJo Gum, a member of the varsity lacrosse, field hockey and basketball teams, owns a 3.64 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. She was an all-state selection in lacrosse as a junior and helped her team to the 2018 state title and a runner-up finish in 2017. In addition, Gum was an All-Southwest Preparatory Conference selection in field hockey during her senior season. She is a two-year member of the school’s Student Relations Board, and currently serves as the chair of the board.
Hannah Mandell (Justin Wakeland High School)
Hannah Mandell ranks seventh out of 496 students with a 5.423 GPA on a 5.0 scale while participating in soccer, cross country and track. In soccer, she was an all-state midfielder and helped the team to the 5A state championship in 2018. In addition, Mandell took fourth in the 1600 meters at the 2016 state meet and has also been a state qualifier in cross country. A National AP Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, she serves as Senior Class President and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Charlie McCullough (Allen High School)
Charlie McCullough owns a 4.26 grade-point average on a 5.0 scale while serving as the varsity basketball team’s captain. He was a member of the Class 6A state championship team and was named to the District 6-6A Academic All-District team. A member of the Peer Assistance Leadership program, McCullough was named the 2018 Male PAL of the Year. An officer with both PALS and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he also claimed the 2016-17 Allen High School Citizenship Award.
Emma White (Lovejoy High School)
Emma White ranks third in her class of 341 with a 4.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 weighted scale. She was an Academic All-State nominee in volleyball as a senior, and helped her squad advance to the state tournament. She was a two-time academic all-district honoree and served as team captain her final year. In 2018, White was named a National Merit Commended Scholar, National AP Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction. In addition, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Health Occupation Students of America.
Madison Whitmire (Prosper High School)
Madison Whitmire owns a 5.098 GPA on a 6.0 scale, ranking seventh out of 676 students in her class while also starring on the volleyball court. She was a first-team Under Armour All-American in 2018 and is the school record holder for career assists. In 2017, she was named first-team all-state and the Class 5A Setter of the Year. Whitmire was named the 9-6A District MVP in 2018. She currently serves as the Student Council Executive President and also was appointed to the Principal’s Council.
About the Davey O’Brien Foundation
The Davey O’Brien Foundation was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $1 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.