Tyler Gregory

Dear Award Committee, I want to thank everyone who voted for me to receive this award. It is the first time I have ever won anything on the site after trying for many years. Dr. Chavez had a passion for life and for sports and he tried to inspire that same passion in others at the same time. Inspiration through perspiration in sports! I feel like this is an award that truly understands my struggle after losing my mom who always attended my games and cheered me on with dad. I even feel like it's not just the money but the recognition to keep trying in the most dire of circumstances. An athletes heart is a heart of wild, untamed force unleashed on the field to conquer! It is symbolic of life itself that is filled with wins, ties and unfortunately hard losses. Also, like life the game teaches you to go back on the field and play your heart out no matter how many points you may be down in life. A heartfelt thanks for selecting me as the recipient of the Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship because even though we never met I feel I've known him. This scholarship will reignite my efforts to keep on goin, to keep on trying and to succeed. This honor fills me with deep gratitude and an even greater sense of focus. I'm honored to carry on Dr. Edward V. Chavez's legacy through this scholarship, and I feel incredibly privileged to be part of something so meaningful, because this good news is for entire families, not just me. As someone who lost my mother to Leukemia at a young age, I've experienced profound loss and sadness. Yet, I've channeled that pain into a determination to help others, aspiring to become a physician and work toward a cure for blood cancers like the one that affected my family so deeply. Being recognized reminds me that I'm not alone in my journey. I’m grateful for the dedication to supporting students who have faced sudden hardship. Being inspired for me to pay it forward by offering hope to others, especially children dealing with devastating loss. Loss is a terribly haunting thing to deal with--but we can ease that pain by leaning on each other like this award does. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. I promise to honor both my mother’s and Dr. Chavez’s legacies as I continue my education and work toward making a meaningful impact. Let us never forget them--ever. Thank you, Tyler Gregory

Josephine Quintana Carrillo

Dear Chavez, I'm truly grateful to be chosen as the recipient of the Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship. It means so much to me to be recognized for both my dedication to sports and my perseverance through personal loss. I'm honored to carry on Dr. Edward V. Chavez's legacy through this scholarship. Your support eases the financial challenges of pursuing my college dreams and will let me focus on excelling in my studies, athletics, and artistic passions. As a senior at Clearview High School, I've always strived to develop my talents in art and sports, from leading our soccer club to winning awards in track and the visual arts. Despite losing my family at a young age, my determination—and the steady encouragement from my adoptive mom—has helped me overcome obstacles and achieve academic success. I'm excited to explore a future that blends art, science, and engineering, with the goal of earning my bachelor's and eventually a doctorate at UHCL. Your generosity in honoring Dr. Chavez inspires me to push forward and to one day support students who have faced hardships, just as you have supported me. Thank you for making such a meaningful difference in my life. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and hope to make you proud. Thank you, Josephine Quintana Carrillo

savannah santangelo

Dear Chavez, Thank you so much for selecting me as a recipient of the Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship. I am beyond truly grateful for this support and deeply honored to carry on Dr. Edward V. Chavez’s legacy through this scholarship. This award means so much to me and will allow me to pursue my degree in kinesiology and become an athletic trainer in honor of my late father. Thank you so much for your generosity and your commitment to honoring Dr. Edward V. Chavez by uplifting students like me. Thank you, savannah santangelo

armaya moore

Dear Chavez, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for selecting me as the recipient of the Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship. I feel incredibly grateful for this recognition, and I’m honored to carry on Dr. Edward V. Chavez’s legacy through this scholarship. This generous support truly lifts a weight from my shoulders, easing the financial strain on my family and allowing me to focus on my studies, my responsibilities at home, and my passion for sports. As the captain of my high school lacrosse team and the oldest of five siblings, I know the power of perseverance and teamwork, both on and off the field. With my family’s encouragement and the help of this scholarship, I can pursue my dream of attending college, continue playing lacrosse, and prepare for law school. Losing my mother at a young age shaped my sense of strength and purpose. I’m inspired by your commitment to uplifting students who have faced loss and share a love for athletics. Dr. Chavez’s memory lives on through your generosity, and I’m proud to be part of that legacy. Your kindness gives me hope and motivates me to give back to my community in the future, just as you have given to me. I look forward to the opportunity to help others and make a meaningful impact, carrying forward the spirit of this award. Thank you, armaya moore

Christina Wilson

Dear Chavez and contributors, Thank you so much for awarding me the Dr. Edward V. Chavez Athletic Memorial Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship has meant so much to me because it highlights the importance of sports and uplifts students who have experienced parental loss. Your incredible generosity in awarding this scholarship will directly help me follow my dreams by pursuing higher education, enabling me to focus on my studies, leadership roles at school, and alleviate stress as I seek to finance my collegiate education as a young adult. Coming from a military family and having lost my dad, I’ve dedicated myself to helping others, whether through advocacy for surviving military families or working to make a difference in healthcare. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to invest my energy in growing as a student, advocate, athlete, and public servant through this scholarship. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to share a bit about my story and how equine sports have helped me in my grief journey. I'm inspired by Dr. Edward Chavez’s legacy, and I’m honored to carry on his memory and the memory of my father, Dr. David Wilson, through this scholarship. Your kindness motivates me to keep striving for excellence, both in the classroom and in my community. I truly hope that one day I can give back and support students the way you have supported me. With gratitude, Christina Wilson, Washington, D.C. 2022 Winner

Terry Brock

Thank you for this amazing blessing!