EVANSVILLE — Luke Pollard described this moment has a huge mental relief, both for the interim and the future.
The recent Bosse High School graduate was awarded the Dan Scism Scholarship on Thursday, July 24 in conjunction with the Romain Cadillac Evansville City Golf Tournament. Pollard will receive $45,000 for college spread over the next four years.
Named in honor of the City Tournament’s founder and former sports editor of the Evansville Courier, the scholarship is given annually to a graduating high school senior the same year the tournament is played. Candidates are selected on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, excellence in character and involvement in the spirit of golf.
It is a renewable scholarship. The winner must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average in college while avoiding disciplinary action.
“It is the biggest deal,” Pollard said. “My biggest concern with college was the financial stress. I was scared, but I decided I would jump into it. Winning this scholarship, in my brain, it makes me feel like I can 100 percent get through it without any trouble. I’m not going to have nearly the financial debt.”
His background made it a worthy choice for the Scism committee. Raised by a single mother with one sibling, Pollard has worked multiple jobs since the age of 14 ― he is currently employed by United Companies Air Center and Fendrich Golf Course. Pollard graduated from Bosse with a 4.069 grade point average and an Academic & Technical Honors diploma.
He was a member of the National Honor Society, the Kiwanis Award winner for golf, an Academic All-City selection and Academic All-State honorable mention. Pollard plans to attend Vincennes University’s professional aviation flight program in Indianapolis; if he chooses a two-year path, there is the possibility of transferring to Purdue. His ultimate goal is to become an airline pilot.
In addition to his academic success and working, Pollard also played tennis and golf for the Bulldogs.
“It takes a lot of discipline,” he said. “I’m not perfect. I have probably slacked off more than I should have. But I think it’s a lot of determination. Just being able to sit down and prioritize this is what I need to do now and what is best for my future self from this moment.”
Pollard has only played competitive golf for two years. He was second for Bosse with a 98 in the sectional at Helfrich in June. Despite being apprehensive to start, Pollard has seen a benefit to learning something new and having the ability to play recreationally with friends.
It also created a path to this scholarship. One he won’t take for granted considering the work required to reach this point. The Evansville Men’s City Golf Tournament begins on Saturday, August 2, with the first round at Fendrich.
“I feel like (golf) has given me a lot of connections and opened me up to a lot of opportunities,” Pollard said. “But I enjoy playing it, even if I’m not the best. I like to get out there with my friends and just play for fun.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Bosse High School graduate Luke Pollard awarded $45K Dan Scism Scholarship
Reporting by Kyle Sokeland, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
