The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation has named two members of the current graduating class of Pinecrest High School as recipients of its volunteer scholarship for the 14th consecutive year. April Reagan Scepurek and Luke Valencia each received a $750 scholarship.
J.T. Stilwell, a 2012 U.K. Golf scholarship winner and a representative for the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, presented the awards in honor and recognition of the more than 700 world championship volunteers during the recent senior awards ceremony at Pinecrest High School.
This will mark the 18th year that U.S. Kids Golf, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, has held the championship on 14 Pinehurst area courses.
Chris Vonderkall, vice president of tournaments for U.S. Kids Golf, commended the Sandhills area volunteers and the student winners.
“Reagan and Luke are great examples of what the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation stands for,” said Vonderkall. “Through these scholarships, we honor and pay tribute to the countless number of hard-working volunteers, without whom the World Championship would not be possible each year. We are also proud of these students for what they have given in their local communities and wish them well as they attend Auburn University and Western Carolina University.”
These scholarships are presented to students from the Pinehurst area who demonstrate exceptional citizenship, community service, willingness to serve as a volunteer, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Reagan plans to attend Auburn University in Alabama, majoring in Marine Biology. She is the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Scepurek and has two siblings, Luke and Katelyn. They live in Seven Lakes.
She has been a community volunteer for several years with U.S. Kids Golf, working at the opening ceremony, packet pickup, kid stations and passing out food to guests from around the world. In addition, Reagan has helped with the local Turkey Trot, Triathlon and Healthy Kids Running Series. For four years, she has participated in various activities through “Wreaths Across America” for veterans.
At Pinecrest, she has been a member of the cross country/track and field teams’ long and triple jump and indoor running events. She was also on the basketball team for three years.
“I enjoy any opportunity to volunteer with my running teams, especially for other sporting events,” added Scepurek. “Since aging out of the Healthy Kids Running series, I have gone back every year to help organize and support the younger runners. I feel honored to win the U.S. Kids Golf Scholarship and to have the volunteer work that I have done over the years be recognized. College is expensive, and I want to help contribute as much as possible.”
Luke is the son of Moises and Carmen Valencia of Seven Lakes. He will attend Western Carolina University (Cullowhee) in the fall, majoring in chemistry with a concentration in premed. Luke has a goal of attending pharmacy school.
He moved to North Carolina in 2018 and has run track and cross country for three years, earning All-Conference distinction each year at Pinecrest. Valencia is also a leader in his youth group at his church and has worked during the summers at local restaurants.
Valencia said: “Service has been a major part of my track career, whether it has been volunteering or just being a good sportsman and athlete on and off the track.”
He mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic and physical injuries as obstacles he has encountered along the way but added: “Working in the community and helping others has helped me see that there’s a bigger mission in sports than just competing to win, and that is making sure others become better people in life.
“I am very thankful to U.S. Kids Golf for those service opportunities, giving me the chance to grow as an individual. With this scholarship, I can go to the next step — college — and grow and better myself.”
The mission of the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is to introduce, develop and enhance the opportunities for kids to play the game of golf through instruction, positive family interaction and competitive play.
Feature photo: Leigh Ann Eshelman, general chairman, US Kids Golf World Championship (left); April Reagan Scepurek, scholarship winner; Luke Valencia, scholarship winner; and John Buchholz, Pinecrest track and field coach.
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
