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
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!