Eight Dallas ISD Seniors Receive Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success Scholarships

Molly Rawlins • June 6, 2023

> Educational program tops $2.2 million in awards

> Four-year University of North Texas at Dallas scholarship awarded

> Four-year University of Texas at Arlington scholarship awarded

DALLAS, TX – Today, Deloitte, the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) and United Way celebrated the eight recipients of this year’s Deloitte/NTPGA Fairway to Success scholarships, a program that has now awarded more than $2.2 million to local students.

 

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

 

In collaboration with the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas), a full, four-year scholarship to the university was awarded to Eh Tu Gae.

 

UNT Dallas President Bob Mong said the university is proud to be a part of the Fairway to Success program for another year. “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,” Mong stated.

 

Additionally, in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), 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. 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,” said Anna Michele Bobadilla, University of Texas at Arlington, Senior Associate VP Outreach & Community Engagement.

 

Established in 2007, the Fairway to Success program annually awards scholarships to students based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and financial need. The program spans four DISD high schools – W.W. Samuell, Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln and David W. Carter – and includes introducing students to golf and 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,” said Dan Berner, North Texas Managing Partner, Deloitte LLP. “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.”


During the 2022-2023 school year, 105 DISD students took part in a virtual six-week college prep program led by Deloitte professionals as well as an after-school golf program. Students learned the basics of golf from PGA professionals, and graduating seniors who qualified by participating in the program had the chance to apply for the scholarships.

 

Fairway to Success also includes a mentorship component to support the scholarship recipients throughout their college careers. Scholarship recipients interact with Deloitte mentors who share their insights gained from working in a professional services environment. Mentors also help students explore potential career opportunities in the business and STEM-focused fields of study.

 

Since the program’s inception, 88 DISD students have received scholarships, now topping $2.2 million – mostly funded through donations from Deloitte partners, principals, managing directors and professionals in North Texas.

 

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

 

The 2023 Deloitte / NTPGA Fairway to Success scholarship recipients are:


Cithlaly Crispin – Thomas Jefferson High School

 

Cithlaly is a 2023 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, ranked 2nd in the class, and a graduate from Brookhaven College with an associate's degree. This coming fall, Cithlaly will head to the University of North Texas at Denton to study media arts. While at Thomas Jefferson, Cithlaly 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. On the journey off to UNT, meeting new people, learning new cultures, and portraying stories through filmmaking are the most exciting factors during the first year.

 

Shane Davis – David W. Carter High School

 

Shane is a 2023 graduate of Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center and will be heading to the University of Memphis this fall. At Memphis, Shane 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, Davis, played varsity soccer and participated in cross country for Carter. He was part of a club soccer team and enjoys reading, online chess, and violin. He is looking forward to new experiences, meeting new people, and joining different clubs in Memphis.

 

 

Doris Gradiz – Thomas Jefferson High School

 

Doris is a 2023 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, ranked 7th in her class, as well as a graduate of Brookhaven College with an associate's degree. This upcoming fall, Doris will be attending the University of Texas at Austin with plans to major in education with a focus in history. While at Thomas Jefferson, Doris was part of chess, theater, modern band, the Academic Success Program, and mock trial. As she looks towards her time in Austin, she is excited to start a new chapter in her life and help as many people that come from the same background as her.

 

Rachelle Gutierrez – W.W. Samuell High School

 

Rachelle is a 2023 graduate of W.W. Samuell High School, ranked 4th 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 plenty of accomplishments and has done all of this while being the primary caretaker for her younger brother. At UTA, she is looking forward to building connections and establishing a pathway for her family's future.

 

Jose Loredo Quintana – W.W. Samuell High School

 

Jose 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. He will head to the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a degree in computer science this upcoming fall. Jose is looking forward to getting involved on campus and interacting with other students. He is interested in becoming a member of Eta Kappa Nu, which is an honor society for computer and electrical engineers.


Emily Silva – W.W. Samuell High School

 

Emily 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 this fall. Emily has a passion for art and wants to help others express themselves through it. She is looking forward to pushing her limits and fully expressing herself at UTSA this upcoming fall.

 

Eh Tu Gae – Lincoln High School (UNT-D Recipient)

 

Eh Tu Gae is a 2023 graduate of Lincoln High School and is ranked 9th 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. He is looking forward to continuing his studies along with giving back to his community and being a great role model to his younger siblings.


Joshua Puga – David W. Carter High School (UTA Recipient)

 

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, Joshua will be pursuing graphic design as he enjoys drawing and being creative.  Joshua transferred to Carter his senior year and the biggest lesson he learned from that transition was to ask for help when he needed it. During his time at Carter, he was involved in varsity golf, student council, and was a member of the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour. He is looking forward to inspiring others, meeting new people on campus, and learning new things.

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TYLER, Texas (July 30) – Matthew Watkins of Rockwall, TX, carded a second round low, 30-32–62, 8-under-par, to take the co-lead of the 55th M&P Group Texas State Open. He shares it with first round leader Chris Korte of Littleton, CO. Watkins rocketed to the top of the leaderboard at the end of his second round after an albatross on the par-5, 6th hole. He hit a 4-iron from 224 yards and holed it. “I hit a big slicing 4-iron in there, and it felt great,” said Watkins. He did not get a chance to watch his albatross go in. “I would have celebrated if I knew. I wish I would have seen it go in. I mean, I was just amazed.” Through two rounds, Watkins is 5-under-par on the 6th hole. He is looking for his first Texas State Open victory. He previously earned Low Amateur honors in 2021 and 2023. Tied with Watkins is Chris Korte, who followed his opening round 62 with a 34-30–64. He started the second round on the back-nine and birdied five of his first seven holes. A birdie on his tenth hole continued the scoring, but things slowed down with a streak of pars and a bogey on the 5th. Korte received the final sponsor exemption into the Championship and has taken advantage of it so far. During the past year, he has successfully Monday qualified into four PGA TOUR events and one Korn Ferry Tour event, most recently teeing it up in the Barracuda Championship. Josh Radcliff of Grapevine, TX, is two strokes behind Watkins and Korte at 12-under-par. He tied for the lowest score of round two with a 30-32–62. “It’s been a few years since I have played, but I love the state open. My in-laws live around here…it is always fun to come out to Tyler and play this event,” said Radcliff. One of many former Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour members in the field, including Watkins, Radcliff reflected on his junior golf career saying, “NTPGA is where I got my start in competitive golf playing the 9-hole events. I shot about 108 in my first 18-hole event with the NTPGA. I had a dream of playing professionally, and the NTPGA Junior Tour was a great place to start.” Watkins, Korte and Radcliff will tee off at 9:50 a.m. tomorrow in the final group. Blake Elliott of Bullard, TX, is once again in contention. His rounds of 66-67, 7-under-par, have him in a six way tie for ninth place. He will begin his third round at 9:30 a.m. Sulphur Springs native Trevor Norby also made the cut at 3-under-par. He will start at 8:10 a.m. tomorrow on the 10th hole. Cody Massa (a) of Cave Creek, AZ currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard at 7-under-par. Massa, originally from Arlington, TX, attended Tyler Junior College from 2005 to 2007. Massa is no stranger to the Texas State Open competing in 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2016, with his highest finish coming at 7th place in 2016. Aside from the Texas State Open, Massa won the Arizona Mid-Am Championship in 2024 and 2025. Massa currently sits in first place on the Low Amateur leaderboard and tied for ninth place overall. Six amateurs made the cut. Brandon Bingaman, PGA assistant professional at Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, TX, finished the second round with a 34-33-67, 3-under-par. He is at 7-under-par for the Championship and leads the PGA Professional division into tomorrow’s third round. Bingaman credits his low rounds to his new, lighthearted take on his game. “I have been playing really well lately. These past couple of weeks I have really just been trying to have more fun with it, and I think that has reflected really well in the past few days,” said Bingaman. Five PGA of America Golf Professionals made the cut. Four from the Northern Texas Section and one from the Southern Texas Section. Kyle Pritchard leads the three past champions that survived the cut. He sits at 8-under-par. Mikel Martinson (a) and Shawn Stefani also advanced to the final two rounds. The 55th M&P Group Texas State Open is a 72-hole stroke play event with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs. The 36-hole cut was made to the low 55 players and ties. Sixty-one players made the cut at 1-under-par and are competing for a $201,000 Championship purse. The third round will begin at 8:00 a.m. and players will begin on the first and tenth holes and play in threesomes. This is the M&P Group’s third year as the title sponsor and the Championship is presented by Joyce Crane and supported by CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances, Holiday Inn - Tyler Conference Center, Jucys and Patterson Tyler. Cascades Country Club Par: 35-35–70 Yardage: 6,882 yards View current results HERE .

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