The Fund and its Recipients
Fund Values
Love of Tennis ● Humble Nature
Leading by Example ● Strong Commitment
Scholarship
The fund was established to annually award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving child or young adult in Indiana. This scholarship recognizes individuals who embody not only the core values we hold dear but also other virtues that contribute to future success. These values serve as the foundation of the Fund and aim to instill positivity in everyone it touches.
Each year, the scholarship is bestowed upon an individual selected for their exceptional character, evident both in their relationships with instructors and their conduct among peers on the tennis court.
Recipients
2026
Annie Mann
Annie is a 16-year-old student at Carmel High School who recently completed her sophomore year. A dedicated tennis player since childhood, Annie has been part of the Indianapolis Racquet Club community since she was five years old. This past season, she competed at No. 3 singles for Carmel High School, where she enjoyed being part of an exceptional team and learning from outstanding coaches.
Beyond tennis, Annie enjoys drawing, spending time with friends, and staying active through fitness and workouts. She values the friendships, discipline, and personal growth that tennis has brought into her life. While she is still exploring her future academic and career goals, she has developed an interest in Indiana University and is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Annie is especially thankful to her coach, Kiersten Carlson, for nominating her for this scholarship and for the encouragement and support she has received throughout her tennis journey.
Payton Paramoure
Payton is a 15-year-old student at Westfield High School who will begin his sophomore year this fall. A strong student with a GPA above 4.0, Payton is dedicated to excellence both in the classroom and on the tennis court. This past season, he played No. 1 doubles for Westfield and helped lead the Shamrocks to the first sectional championship in school history.
Although he excelled in several sports growing up, Payton discovered a passion for tennis at age 13 after watching his older brother, Parker, enjoy success in the sport. Since playing his first tournament in October 2024, he has competed in nearly 140 matches. Known for his love of the game, Payton is always eager to get on the court, regardless of his opponent's skill level, and values the friendships and experiences tennis has provided.
Payton is grateful for the many coaches, teammates, and mentors who have helped him develop, especially the Indianapolis Racquet Club coaching staff and his brother. While he has not yet decided where he hopes to attend college, he dreams of playing collegiate tennis someday. And like many younger brothers, one of his biggest motivations is finding a way to beat his older brother on the court!
Aashil Hassija
2024
Aashil is a passionate ten-year-old student from Hamilton Southeastern Elementary, enrolled in an advanced academic program. He shows a strong enthusiasm for mathematics and has actively participated in and excelled in numerous state-level competitions, including the Science Bowl, Spell Bowl, and Math Bowl. Additionally, he serves as a representative on his school's student council, demonstrating his commitment to helping others. Aashil approaches problem-solving with the analytical mindset of an engineer while also possessing the creativity typical of an artist.
Inspired by Novak Djokovic, Aashil dreams of taking his favorite sport, tennis, to the level of one day winning Wimbledon. He is proud to represent IRC and enjoys competing in tournaments and events in IRC and with his team.
From Aashil: “I feel honored and humbled to receive the Ed Brune scholarship. I want to express my gratitude to the selection committee for believing in me and cheering me on. This award will assist me in continuing to pursue my passion for the game I love. Thank you once more, selection committee.”
We are extremely excited to support Aashil as he continues his journey on and off the court. Let us see what he will do next!
Samaya Smith
2023
Samaya, a dedicated sophomore at Warren Central High School, harbors the ambitious dream of attending Duke University and excelling as a member of their esteemed tennis team. She maintains an impeccable 4.0 GPA, a testament to her academic diligence, and ranks impressively in the top 30 of her graduating class. Beyond her academic and athletic endeavors, Samaya has a keen interest in puzzles, boasting a remarkable collection of over 50 one-thousand-piece puzzles, each showcasing her patience and attention to detail. Her commitment to her community is equally noteworthy; she actively volunteers at the Indianapolis Racquet Club, where she helps orchestrate junior tennis tournaments. Furthermore, Samaya contributes significantly to student council community service projects at Warren Central, demonstrating her well-rounded character and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in her community! Her favorite male and female tennis players are Dominic Thiem and Iga Swiatek.
From Samaya: "Receiving the Ed Brune Scholarship allows me to play more tennis and receive valuable instruction daily. I was not able to directly learn from Mr. Brune, but I am very grateful to be a part of his vision. I would like to thank the selection committee for this opportunity, and I will continue to strive to do my very best to make my IRC tennis family proud."
Isabel May (Issy)
2022
Issy May was the FIRST recipient of the scholarship which was awarded on October 1, 2022. She is attending Lawrence North High School and was recently awarded a scholarship to attend Seton Hall University in the fall of 2024 to play Division 1 tennis! Congratulations ISSY!