The USTA today announced that high school students Meg Modesto of Portage, Ind., and Chad LeDuff of Valencia, Calif., have been selected as recipients of the 2012 Pancho Gonzalez Scholar-Athlete Grants. Modesto and LeDuff will each receive a $2,500 grant from the USTA to help them further their tennis pursuits. The grants are awarded to high school students of Hispanic heritage who aspire to reach excellence in both competitive tennis and the academic arena.
"Meg and Chad are fine examples of the characteristics embodied by Pancho Gonzalez—strength, determination and hard work," said D.A. Abrams, Chief Diversity Officer, USTA. "The USTA is proud to award them with the 2012 Pancho Gonzalez Scholar-Athlete Grants, and we wish them continued success both on and off the court."
Modesto recently completed her freshman year at Chesterton High School, where she maintained a 3.8 GPA. On the court, Modesto has competed in numerous local tournaments and won her qualifier tournament to gain entry in to the Midwest Closed Junior Tennis Tournament. One of Modesto’s most memorable highlights to date is winning 15 consecutive tournament matches.
LeDuff is a freshman at Valencia High School and averages a 4.0 GPA while maintaining a rigorous academic course load that consists of several Advanced Placement courses. He has succeeded on the court as well: This season LeDuff was the only freshman to make his high school’s varsity tennis team and he holds a USTA national ranking in boys’ 14s category.
To be eligible for the grant, candidates must be currently enrolled in high school, or be homeschooled with a high school-equivalent curriculum, and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. In addition, they must be ranked in the Top 200 in their age categories nationally or have an ITF, ATP or WTA ranking. Applicants are also required to submit a written essay. The USTA makes the final selections with input from its Player Development coaches and staff.