2012 DAVEY O’BRIEN HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

January 10, 2013

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Davey O’Brien Foundation is pleased to announce its finalists for the 2012 Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Award. The scholarship, which is partially underwritten by Higginbotham and the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, is presented each year to an exceptional senior student-athlete in the North Texas area. The recipient of the newly-increased $30,000 scholarship will be announced Jan. 22 during the 6th Annual Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Luncheon held at The Fort Worth Club. The Foundation will also award a $2,500 scholarship to each of the four remaining finalists.

Since 1986, the Foundation has provided more than $550,000 in scholarships to high school seniors. Recipients are chosen on the basis of scholastic achievements, community service, character, leadership and varsity sports participation.

Elizabeth Crowling, Hillcrest High School
As the top-ranked student in her class at Hillcrest High School, Elizabeth Crowling is known for her “inquisitive nature” and “joie de vivre.” A four-year varsity athlete in cross country, softball and swimming, Elizabeth has thrived both athletically and academically. In addition to serving as team captain of the cross country and swim teams, the AP Scholar with Distinction and All-State Academic Swimmer has been named to the “A” honor roll every year. Elizabeth is a member of the National Honor Society and Academic Success Program, and she volunteers at the local animal shelter. She also played in the marching band and was appointed the alto-saxophone section leader by her band director during her junior year. In June 2011, Elizabeth explored her interest in medicine by interning at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. She continues to take part in their Biomedical Research Program researching pancreatic proteins.  

Kaitlyn Duda, L.D. Bell High School
A gifted and motivated student-athlete, Kaitlyn Duda has been a great asset to L.D. Bell High School. The four-year letter winner and Academic All-District soccer player serves as an elected National Honor Society Officer, a Class Council member and L.D. Bell Math Club member. Described by her teachers and coaches as “hard working, dependable and conscientious,” Kaitlyn was awarded the Miss BJH title by her teachers for exemplary academics, school spirit and sound moral values. Outside of the classroom, the National Merit Semifinalist and four-year honor roll student coaches soccer at the Trophy Club Texas, referees for local recreational soccer leagues, lifeguards and babysits. Kaitlyn also finds time to tutor her classmates, volunteer at Cook Children’s Northeast Hospital, and participate in her church youth group. She is a member of the Junior World Affairs Council and has taken educational trips to Spain and the Dominican Republic.

Anna Hansell, Episcopal School of Dallas
Anna Hansell is a “brilliant, gifted and spunky” individual who has cultivated her academic and athletic talents during her time at Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD). The National Merit Semifinalist and AP Scholar with Honor is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society, ESD Student Council, Ambassadors Club and World Affairs Club. She is a tri-sport varsity athlete in field hockey, soccer and lacrosse, and was named All-SPC in field hockey. She has received numerous awards and accolades, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the National Latin Examination Award – Magna Cum Laude, and first place in the ESD Art Competition. Anna is extremely involved in the Dallas community and has volunteered at the Genesis Women’s Shelter, Dallas Arboretum, and Museum of Nature and Science. She also tutors and mentors underprivileged middle school students via the STAIRS tutoring program, for which she was hand selected.

Meghann Kasal, Fort Worth Country Day
Praised for her “determination, enthusiasm and poise,” Meghann Kasal has excelled both on and off the field at Fort Worth Country Day. A four-year varsity soccer and softball player, she has helped lead both of her teams to SPC Division 1 Championships. The National Merit Commended Scholar is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Cum Laude Society and the National Art Honor Society. She also plays an integral part of Country Day’s performing arts program, appearing in West Side Story, Urinetown, Damn Yankees and Legally Blonde. A pillar of the Country Day’s community, Meghann was honored with the faculty-selected Jimmy D. Brown Award in 2012 for her commitment to serving others. Moreover, she has taken part in her community by planning charity dodge ball tournaments and helping displaced families and children with All Church Home. She also helped the community of Latacunga, Ecuador by building day care centers.

Dallas Schray, Hebron High School
Ranked first in his class of 719 at Hebron High School, Dallas Schray is widely regarded for his drive and diligence. The National Merit Semifinalist and AP Scholar with Honor is a member of the National Honor Society and LEAP program for Gifted and Talented Students. Voted Mr. Hebron High School by his peers, Dallas actively participates in Student Council and founded the Model United Nations Club at his school to shed light on solving international issues through mock solutions and treaties. On the gridiron, Dallas is a two-time letterman and team captain of the football team. A four-year member of the powerlifting team, he has been named a Hebron Scholar Athlete of the Year three times. Outside of Hebron, Dallas volunteers his time as a member of Christian Community Action and helped build and remodel homes for ailing families in Southern Dallas with the Bridge Builders Organization.

“We are honored to have five exceptional finalists for the Davey O’Brien High School Award,” said David O’Brien, Jr., chairman of the Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Selection Committee. “All these young people are outstanding student-athletes and represent the best of their generation.”

The Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Selection Committee will interview each finalist before the recipient is announced on Jan. 22. The Selection Committee is comprised of David O’Brien, Jr. (chair), Karen Anisman, Todd Blouin, Roger Latham, Walter Littlejohn, Pollard Rogers and Joel Sharp.

About the Davey O’Brien Foundation
The Davey O’Brien Foundation was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award^®, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $850,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

About Higginbotham
Higginbotham serves as a “Single Source” for insurance, risk management and financial services by providing access to commercial and personal property/casualty coverage, employee benefits, retirement plans, life insurance and executive compensation through more than 250 regional and national carriers. The Texas-based firm was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Fort Worth with 16 additional statewide offices. It ranks as one of the nation’s 40 largest independent insurance brokerage firms based on revenue (Business Insurance, July 2012). The Higginbotham Community Fund was established in 2010 to support charitable causes throughout Texas by distributing grants to nonprofit organizations. To date, the fund has raised $111,261 through employee contributions and pledges. Visit www.Higginbotham.net for more information.

About Sid W. Richardson Foundation
Since 1947, the Sid W. Richardson Foundation has provided grants to nonprofit organizations serving the people of Texas. Grants are primarily made in education, healthcare, human services and the arts. In recent years, the Foundation has worked across Texas to improve the preparation and support of public school teachers and administrators to assist them in providing a quality education for every student from every background. The Foundation also has continued its efforts to provide healthcare and human service programs for underserved populations in and around Fort Worth. Additionally, Mr. Richardson became an avid collector of paintings by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. Today, these magnificent paintings are on permanent exhibit in the Sid Richardson Museum in Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth. Visit www.SidRichardson.org for more information.

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