Meet the 2023 RecSports Student Employee Scholarship Recipients
Over the course of an academic year, over 1,000 students contribute to Recreational Sports’ overall mission of advancing the well-being of Longhorns by providing education through recreation. Thanks to the generous contributions of former employees and participants, Recreational Sports is able to award over $37,000 in endowed scholarships annually.
Congratulations to the 17 student employees who were recognized this year for their exemplary contributions!
Kaylee Chavez
Mark L. Hart, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Program Assistant and Facility Supervisor — Indoor Satellites
In the classroom: Senior, Nutrition
Campus Involvement: Longhorn Pre-Pharmacy Association, Nutritional Science Department Intern
Hometown: Canyon Lake, Texas
“I’ve been with RecSports since my first semester at UT, and it’s been really amazing to see my coworkers become my friends rather than just people I work with. I’ve made some life-long friends through RecSports that I know I’ll cherish forever.”
Kathryn Marshall
Mark L. Hart, Jr. Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Program Assistant and Facility Supervisor — Outdoor Satellites
In the classroom: Senior, Marketing
Campus Involvement: Camp Texas, First-Year Leadership Organization
Hometown: Cedar Park, Texas
After Graduation: Starting a Marketing Analyst position in New York
“When I first came in as a Facility Assistant, I wasn’t super confident in my abilities, but through the support of my coworkers, full-time staff, and promotion opportunities, I’ve really been able to grow into myself and become more confident.”
Ben Aviel
Thomas W. Dison Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Climbing Wall Supervisor
In the classroom: Senior, Exercise Science
Campus Involvement: Sigma Alpha Mu, Student Athletic Trainer at Texas Athletics
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
After Graduation: Traveling
“[My RecSports] experience has taught me that in whatever future career path I
may follow, I want to work in a field that I am passionate about and that allows me the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives. I am confident that the critical thinking skills I have gained through setting routes and working as a climbing wall supervisor will serve me well throughout my life.”
Rito Carrizales
Thomas W. Dison Endowed Scholarship
In the classroom: Senior, Chemical Engineering
At RecSports: Program Assistant and Facility Supervisor — Indoor Satellites
Campus Involvement: Intramural basketball
Hometown: Freeport, Texas
“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned at RecSports is being able to rely on my team. I realized that handling every situation alone isn’t the most effective way to handle things, and I learned to lean on my team when I needed to.”
Sanika Jossy
Acacia Fraternity Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Fitness Instructor
In the classroom: Senior, Human Biology
Campus Involvement: Intramural basketball
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
After Graduation: Attending medical school
“I’ve learned how to be a better communicator because of my position with RecSports. Being able to communicate and encourage my participants during classes has taught me so much.”
Ryan Grassman
Susan and Mark Baletka Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Program Assistant — Outdoor Recreation, Supervisor — Outdoor Center and Climbing Wall, Adventure Trip Guide
In the classroom: Junior, Aerospace Engineering
Campus Involvement: University Flying Club, Texas Rock Climbing, Texas Rocket Engineering Laboratory
Hometown: Kingwood, Texas
“My experience with RecSports has been invaluable. I learn new lessons every day that make me a better leader, problem solver, communicator, and so much more. As I continue my journey through life and the professional world, I am confident that my time with the Outdoor [Recreation] program will have helped me become a more capable worker and better human overall.”
Katelyn Tschoerner
John M. Childs Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Program Assistant — Intramural Sports, Intramural Sports Official
In the classroom: Senior, Advertising
Campus Involvement: Texas Athletics Creative Development, Intramural Sand Volleyball
Hometown: Cedar Park, Texas
“I would not be the leader I am today if it were not for Intramural Sports and the growth it has inspired. It has taught me to execute patience and communicate effectively with individuals to achieve mutual understanding, think critically, and make decisions rapidly in essential moments, and it has taught me to nurture the development of individuals like myself who exhibit a passion for leading. I may have started as just a volleyball official, but I am proud to say that RecSports has transformed me into a great leader, instilling characteristics that are pivotal in my future successes as a professional and as an individual.”
Caleb King
Sylvie and Gary Crum Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Program Assistant and Facility Supervisor — Gregory Gym
In the classroom: Senior, Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Campus Involvement: Texas Cru, Jefferson Scholars Program
Hometown: Houston, Texas
“My favorite thing about working at RecSports is definitely the people. I’ve learned so much from students and professional staff. Getting to work alongside peers outside of a classroom setting is a wonderful opportunity.”
Carrie Meng
DeDe and Joe Bill Watkins Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Adventure Trip Guide, Supervisor — Outdoor Center
In the classroom: Senior, Biology and International Relations and Global Studies
Campus involvement: Longhorn Stream Team, Freshman Research Initiative
Hometown: Bellaire, Texas
After graduation: Attending medical school
“My experiences as an Adventure Trip Guide have greatly helped my character development and honed my teamwork skills. When I began participating in adventure trips during my freshman year, I never imagined that I would become a trip guide in the future. However, I quickly developed a passion for outdoor recreation, and becoming a guide has truly been one of the most rewarding aspects of my undergraduate experience.”
Destiny Martinez
Delta Tau Delta Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Facility Supervisor — Gregory Gym
In the classroom: Senior, Biochemistry and Sociology
Campus involvement: TX Votes, WiSTEM, RecSports Facility Operations Council
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
“During my time at RecSports, I grew as an effective communicator, critical thinker, and innovator; as my time at UT draws to an end, I am confident I am leaving with the skills needed to be successful and change the world.”
Caroline Tao
Kenneth Ford Family Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Program Assistant and Facility Supervisor — Indoor Satellites
In the classroom: Senior, Exercise Science
Campus Involvement: Texas Quidditch, Texas Pre-Physical Therapy Society, Kinesiology Club, The Project
Hometown: Coppell, Texas
After graduation: Attending physical therapy school or working at a physical therapy clinic.
“I will be forever grateful for the people I have met and worked with but also the patrons I have gotten to know over the years. The Recreational Sports Center truly feels like a home away from home because of the natural feeling I get whenever I walk through the huge front double doors.”
Lilah Adams
Bill Frisbie Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Facility Supervisor — Outdoor Satellites
In the classroom: Senior, Biochemistry
Campus involvement: Freshman Research Initiative, Texas Interdisciplinary Plan
Hometown: Buffalo, Texas
After Graduation: Working as a sixth-grade Dual Language Science Teacher
“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned at RecSports was that it was okay to make mistakes. Coming to UT, I thought I had to be perfect, but after I joined RecSports, my supervisor reminded me that mistakes are okay to make and even beneficial.”
Ethan Joergensen
Robert G. Childress Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Facility Supervisor — Outdoor Satellites
In the classroom: Junior, Exercise Science
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
“I think the thing that will stick with me the most from my time at RecSports is the relationships I’ve formed with my peers. I’ve made so many friendships, and those interactions are the memories I’m going to keep with me.”
Morgan Healey
Bill Patman Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Corporate Production Assistant
In the classroom: Sophomore, Marketing
Campus Involvement: Women in Business Association, Sigma Phi Lambda
Hometown: Sachse, Texas
“My favorite thing about RecSports is the people I work with. I’ve made a lot of friendships through this job. I also love working for students and building relationships in that way.”
Owen Kiszka
Phi Gamma Delta Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Facility Supervisor — Gregory Gym
In the classroom: Junior, Mathematics
Campus Involvement: Texas Blazers, UT Sport Management Club
Hometown: Friendswood, Texas
“The main thing I would tell anyone who wants to get involved with RecSports is to just go for it. It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve had a lot of personally rewarding experiences. Go in with an open mind and a desire to make an impact.”
Catelyn Toney
Recreational Sports Endowed Scholarship
At RecSports: Program Assistant — Instructional Program, Tennis Instructor
In the classroom: Junior, Biology
Campus Involvement: Emancipet on Campus
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
“My favorite part about working at RecSports is the positive atmosphere I get to work in, and a large part of that is because of the people I work with. Everyone is always so supportive, and I leave work with a smile every day.”
Marianna Deynzer
Spence-Nance Endowed Scholarship Honoring Michael Monsoor
At RecSports: Ambassador
In the classroom: Junior, Nutrition
Campus Involvement: Texas Nutrition Club, University Interscholastic League Judge, Texas Performance Nutrition Intern
Hometown: Abilene, Texas
“My favorite thing about working at RecSports is the variety my job has. I get to work so many different events, and I really enjoy the opportunity to explore all areas of RecSports.”
Learn more about our scholarship program at utrecsports.org/scholarships.
