Matthew Hoover Memorial Scholarship

Funded by

Matthew Hoover Family

Eligibility Requirements

Education Level:

High school senior (2026)

State:

Texas

GPA:

3.5 GPA or higher

Background:

Athlete

Education Level:

State:

GPA:

Background:

High school senior (2026)

Texas

3.5 GPA or higher

Athlete

Matthew Hoover was a beloved son who was a leader in his family, his school, and his community.

Matthew was a coach, athletic director, and teacher who cared deeply about the lives and futures of his students. He stressed the importance of students being well-rounded and balancing the responsibilities of academics and athletics in order to learn time management, prioritization, and other skills that prove helpful later in life.

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Matthew Hoover by supporting student-athletes who are preparing to attend college.

Any high school senior at a 1A High School in Texas may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they’re a student-athlete with at least a 3.5 GPA. Athletes who participate in multiple sports are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply, tell us what sport(s) you play and what your experience has been balancing school with your athletic commitments.

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Drive, Impact

Scholarships for High School Seniors Athletic Scholarships High School Scholarships Texas Scholarships Essay Scholarships 3.50 GPA Scholarships Memorial Scholarships

Published April 9, 2025

Essay Topic

What sport do you play? Tell us about your experience balancing your sport with your schoolwork.

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

May 2026

Winners

Finalists

Winning Application

Brooklyn Lemons

Claude High SchoolClaude, TX

Going into high school I wanted to do everything that was offered, I learned quickly that it was almost impossible to manage all of that. Balancing stock show, with running cross country, and being an athletic trainer for the football team in the fall season alone. To playing golf, and softball in the spring, I learned the importance of an email. Communication goes along way and shows character when you take the time to request work ahead of time before leaving. This has helped prepare me for the rest of my life as I go into new jobs and pursue higher education. Participating in all these activities led me to be at school at best once a week especially during the spring season. Although I was busy playing for my school I had to prioritize being a student-athlete over a athlete-student. Getting out of practice after dinner or getting home from games past midnight has helped me to be more appreciative towards the community that came out to support and, towards teachers who were willing to work with you to help you catch up and still learn. Playing softball at a 1a is not geographically friendly, as not every 1a school offers softball. I have had teachers drive me from weather delayed playoff games across the Panhandle at the earliest hours of the morning to compete at regional UIL the next day bright and early. This shows how much a community can come together to make everything possible for each kid. I take pride in my performance on and off the field or course as I uphold my salutatorian ranking and my vice-presidency position of my class and of Student Council, along with being an avid member of National Honors Society, and being inducted into the National Society of High School Honors which is selected purely on grades and behavior. Not only do I have to balance missing school for my own sporting events, I have to manage my time as a head coaches kid to be able to support my dad and the events he coaches. I have been a coaches kid my whole life and it was never an option or question as to which sporting events I would be attending. As I came into high school it was hard for my dad and I to be able to support each other due to playing with conflicting schedules, especially during baseball and softball season. Although waving to each other from separate fields was not the same as sitting in the bleachers it helped me come to the understanding that it is the small efforts that truly matter. I would not trade my small town experience for big town living any day. Being raised in such a small town has brought me up as a better person than I ever could have been with out these experiences. I am a more well-rounded individual with life and practical experiences.