July 12, 2016
In 2015, in keeping with the University of Notre Dame Athletic Department’s excellence pillar, the Camp Scholarship Initiative was established. These scholarships are awarded annually, to local elementary school students who demonstrate a positive attitude, success in the classroom and outstanding character.
In the program’s inaugural year, three camp scholarships were awarded to elementary school children in South Bend.
In 2016 Perley Fine Arts Academy, Lincoln Primary Center and Harrison Primary Center participated, 400 students competed and five students were awarded the opportunity to attend a Notre Dame Sports Camp of their choice, free of charge. They will stay in the residence halls, eat in the dining hall and compete at Irish varsity facilities.
Principals and teachers from each school deliberated and selected the following recipients:
- Kaden Taylor, Perley Fine Arts Academy, Swimming
- Jamiah Harris, Perley Fine Arts Academy, Tennis
- Moises Aguilera, Lincoln Primary Center, Swimming
- Vanessa Garcia, Lincoln Primary Center, Volleyball
- Tierra McAfee, Harrison Primary Center, Swimming
Each student was recognized in front of an assembly made up of peers, principal, teachers, and parents. Irish athletes Kristin Baer (volleyball), Steven Shek (men’s swimming) and Caroline Tolly (women’s swimming) presented the awards on behalf of Notre Dame athletics. Former Irish student-athlete standouts Ryan Harris and David Bruton, both 2016 Super Bowl champions with the Denver Broncos, were also on hand for some of the presentations.