Amid cheers from peers and parents, selected Granite Bay High School student-athletes aim beyond the field. This year, several students from GBHS have not only achieved excellence in sports but also secured scholarships to pursue their dreams at the collegiate level.
Tavia Burgess, senior and captain of the GBHS girl’s Golf team, is among those making waves. Burgess’ exceptional skills, leadership and unwavering determination on the course has earned her a full scholarship to Morehead State.
“I also helped the Granite Bay varsity girls win the State Championship in 2023,” Burgess said. “Which was where we had gotten the highest margin of victory. But I think it was because I mostly played a bunch of tournaments in different parts of the state and played in several international tournaments.”
While pursuing her passion of golf, she will be studying biology, as Morehead State provides support for both sports and education towards her likings.
“The part that drew me to Morehead State was that it allowed me to study biology, when many other colleges and universities wouldn’t allow you to take science majors besides psychology,” Burgess said.
Education is also very important when it comes to scholarships as coaches are expecting that level of responsibility by balancing school and sports.
Senior Emily Allison, a standout track and field athlete at GBHS, is another student-athlete who has captured the hearts of fans and the attention of scouts.
After years of hardwork and dedication, support from friends and family, she received a full scholarship from UC Davis.
“UC Davis first reached out to me about visiting and having a spot on the team,” Allison said. “After meeting with the coaches they decided on an offer they wanted to give me.”
There’s a combination of factors that need to be considered when trying to be successful in and out of sports.
“As far as goals, I want to see improvement in my running career, keep working hard academically, and have a good time while doing these,” Allison said.
Senior Malia Pilimai has achieved a remarkable milestone in her promising volleyball career and is committed to Jacksonville University. Malia is on the girls Varsity Volleyball team.
“I have a two-year athletic scholarship meaning two years of tuition are covered, and as far as academic scholarship, it’s almost a full ride minus tuition for one semester,” Pilimai said.
Malia’s remarkable talents have earned her a well-deserved scholarship. It reflects her unwavering dedication and determination throughout her high school journey, resulting from countless hours of practice with her team and individually.
“I trained three days a week with Al Biancani doing weights, speed, agility, etc.,” Pilimai said. “Having this training from a younger age helped my athleticism tremendously, and made the game way easier.”
In each of these stories, the common thread is the transformative power of athletic scholarships. These opportunities not only enable talented individuals to pursue their dreams but also to create a foundation for a prosperous future.
As these three student-athletes demonstrate, scholarships are not just about golf score, rally scoring or race times; they’re about shaping lives and inspiring the next generation.
