Ben Schuster Inspires as a Recipient of Brad Fowler Memorial Scholarship
Ben Schuster, a 2011 recipient of the Brad Fowler Memorial Scholarship, serves as a true testament to what the scholarship program stands for. His journey has taken him from being a scholarship winner to graduating from Chico State with a double major in finance and economics, and now working at BlackRock, a renowned Fortune 500 financial services and investment firm in San Francisco.
The Brad Fowler Memorial Scholarship, which was established in 1999, in memory of Brad Fowler, the son of Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler, has provided 120 scholarships of $5,000 each to deserving students. This year, six exceptional individuals were celebrated as the latest scholarship award winners at a luncheon held at Petco Park.
Like Ben Schuster, these high school athletes have triumphed over adversities such as abusive or chemical-dependent parents. Each recipient of this prestigious scholarship not only excelled in their respective sports but also maintained impressive academic records and actively participated in community activities.
Reflecting on his own experience, Schuster shared, When I was awarded the scholarship, I was a spikey-haired, 17-year-old kid. I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I received this award. Someone had confidence in me. When I accepted the scholarship, I made a commitment to use my struggles as building blocks. Today, speaking to the recipients and the audience, feels like closure to my adolescent life. I am now eagerly looking forward to what lies ahead, not only for myself but also for all the other winners.
The scholarship selection committee, comprising individuals such as Alexis and Allison Fowler, Ted Tollner, Bill Walton, Drew Moser, Bill Johnston, Sarah Petitpierre-Branco, and Ky Snyder, is dedicated to honoring Brad Fowler’s legacy and equipping future generations for success. Ky Snyder, one of the founders of the group and now the vice president of university operations at USD, emphasized their objective, stating, We want our kids to be in a strong position to succeed. We hope to touch hearts and get more people involved.
Esteemed former San Diego State basketball coach, Steve Fisher, delivered a powerful keynote address at the event. Addressing the audience of over 500 attendees, Fisher expressed, The ashes of a tremendous tragedy have turned into this. The award winners need to have laddered steps. They need to come back and show appreciation for the opportunity they were given. Receive and never forget—and please, never forget as you become givers. And live with gratitude. And as John Wooden said, ‘Make every day your masterpiece.’
The 2019 Brad Fowler Memorial Scholarship recipients were as follows:
– Catalina Canto, The Monarch School: Catalina displayed her talents in girls’ basketball while overcoming significant hardships due to her father’s drug addiction and her family’s financial struggles. She plans to graduate from Cal State Dominguez Hills, pursue a career as a therapist, and support her family.
– Mackenzie Grooms, Mission Bay High: Mackenzie demonstrated exceptional ability in various sports while dealing with her mother’s drug addiction, frequent relocations, and financial difficulties. She aims to major in biology at Cal State Fullerton and considers her triumph over adversity a testament to her resilience.
– Janet Alvarez, The Monarch School: Janet excelled in multiple sports and found solace and a sense of community through her athletic pursuits. She plans to attend Cal State Dominguez Hills, earn a degree in kinesiology, and become a PE teacher to support children at risk of being entangled in the school-to-prison pipeline.
– Saraia Jackson, El Camino High: Saraia discovered her path to personal growth and resilience by joining sports teams and serving as a cheerleader. She will be attending Sacramento State and intends to pursue a career in sociology to make a positive impact in her community.
– Sierra Roberson, La Jolla High: Guided by her compassionate grandmother, Sierra excelled in athletics, academic pursuits, and community service. She will be attending Cal State San Marcos and plans to continue her dedication to giving back by making higher education more accessible and supporting underserved communities.
– Anthony O’Leary, Kearny High: Anthony’s passion for sports and the guidance of mentors helped him overcome a challenging upbringing surrounded by drugs, violence, and crime. He founded an organization to assist foster youth and will be attending UCLA to pursue a career in sports management.
The stories of these remarkable scholarship recipients and their ability to thrive in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to all. Their achievements, coupled with the support of the Brad Fowler Memorial Scholarship, exemplify the transformative power of education, sports, and community involvement.
