Eight DISD Seniors Receive Deloitte / NTPGA 'Fairway to Success' Scholarships

“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life,” legendary player Bobby Jones once said. “You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots—but you have to play the ball where it lies.” Eight Dallas ISD seniors already had a head start on learning this lesson. But they just gained a lot more by winning scholarships from the 2023 Deloitte/NTPGA Fairway to Success program.

Deloitte, the North Texas PGA, and United Way announced the eight recipients of this year’s scholarship, in a program that has awarded more than $2.7 million to North Texas students since it began in 2007.

Organizers said that Cithlaly Crispin, Shane Davis, Doris Gradiz, Rachelle Gutierrez, Jose Loredo Quintana, and Emily Silva each received a $20,000 college scholarship.

A full, four-year scholarship was awarded to Eh Tu Gae in collaboration with the University of North Texas at Dallas.

“Our growing urban university is built on the belief that everyone should have access to education, and that’s what this program is all about,” UNT Dallas President Bob Mong said in a statement.

Also, in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, a full, four-year scholarship was awarded to Joshua Puga.

“The University of Texas at Arlington is honored to partner with the Fairway to Success program,” Anna Michele Bobadilla, UTA senior associate VP of outreach and community engagement, said in a statement. “The leadership skills developed, the business acumen gained, the esprit de corps developed, and the soft skills participants hone are beyond measure in their lifelong learning. Students are equipped to carve out their own space as they follow their career pathways and make their dreams a reality.”

Learning the game of golf while receiving mentoring and college prep training

The eight Dallas ISD winners of the 2023 Fairway to Success program. [Photo: Deloitte / NTPGA]

The Fairway to Success program was established in 2007 and annually awards scholarships to students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and financial need.

The program is offered at four DISD high schools—W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln, and David W. Carter. It introduces students both to golf itself and to the life lessons of discipline, honor, and integrity that are central to the game.

“Deloitte is proud to continue to support the Fairway to Success program. We see firsthand the benefits of sponsoring and mentoring young people in the community and offer our enthusiastic support to this year’s scholarship recipients,” Dan Berner, North Texas Managing Partner, Deloitte LLP, said in a statement. “I’m proud of the work our professionals have done to support these students this year. It’s our hope at Deloitte that the students continue to succeed and apply the skills they’ve learned—both in the classroom and on the golf course—to their future professional endeavors.”

Deloitte professionals led six-week college prep program

This school year, 105 DISD students took part in a virtual six-week college prep program led by Deloitte professionals, along with an after-school golf program.

Students learned golf basics from PGA professionals, and graduating seniors who qualified by participating in the program had the chance to apply for the scholarships.

The program offers mentors to the scholarship recipients throughout their college careers. Recipients learn from Deloitte mentors who share their insights gained from working in a professional services environment.

Career opportunities and exposure to STEM-focused fields of study

Mentors also help students explore potential career opportunities in the business and STEM-focused fields of study, program officials said.

Since the program began, 88 DISD students have received more than $2.7 million in scholarships, funded by donations from Deloitte partners, principals, managing directors, and professionals in North Texas.

The NTPGA employs two Fairway to Success recipients as interns each summer, continuing to enhance the recipients’ golf education that began on their high school campuses.

2023 Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success scholarship recipients

Cithlaly Crispin is a 2023 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, ranked second in her class, and a graduate from Brookhaven College with an associate’s degree. This coming fall, Crispin will head to the University of North Texas at Denton to study media arts. While at Thomas Jefferson, Crispin was captain of the mock trial team, captain of the academic decathlon, president of Academic Success Program Ambassadors, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Spanish Honor Society.

Shane Davis of David W. Carter High School is a 2023 graduate of Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center and will be heading to the University of Memphis in the fall. At Memphis, Davis will be looking to study biology with a focus on sports medicine, a passion he wants to pursue because of the number of times he has injured himself while playing sports. As athletics is not offered at Yvonne A. Ewell, Davis played varsity soccer and participated in cross country for Carter High School. He was part of a club soccer team and enjoys reading, online chess, and violin.

Doris Gradiz is a 2023 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, ranked seventh in her class, as well as a graduate of Brookhaven College with an associate’s degree. In the fall, she will be attending the University of Texas at Austin with plans to major in education with a focus in history. While at Thomas Jefferson, Gradiz was part of chess, theater, modern band, the Academic Success Program, and mock trial.

Rachelle Gutierrez is a 2023 graduate of W.W. Samuell High School, ranked fourth in her class, and also received her associate’s degree from Eastfield College. This fall, she will head to the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a degree in interior architecture. She was part of her high school soccer team for all four years while being on the A-honor roll for two years straight. Rachelle has achieved many accomplishments while being the primary caretaker for her younger brother.

Jose Loredo Quintana is a 2023 graduate of W.W. Samuell High School, ranked 12th in his class, and also received his associate’s degree from Eastfield College. In the fall, he will attend the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a degree in computer science.

Emily Silva is a 2023 graduate of W.W. Samuell High School and also received her associate’s degree from Eastfield College. She will be pursuing a degree in studio art at the University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall. Silva has a passion for art and wants to help others express themselves through it.

Eh Tu Gae is a 2023 graduate of Lincoln High School and is ranked ninth in his class. This fall, he will continue his education at the University of North Texas at Dallas where he plans to study criminal justice as well as be a part of the Army Reserves. During his time at Lincoln, he participated in film contests, was the captain of the soccer team, kicker for the football team, and a member of JROTC.

Joshua Puga is a 2023 graduate of David W. Carter High School and will be headed to the University of Texas at Arlington. At UTA, Puga will pursue graphic design as he enjoys drawing and being creative. During his time at Carter, he was involved in varsity golf, student council, and was a member of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour.