DEAN SHORTRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP

Sawyer Henrich of Aberdeen, SD played several sports at Roncalli High School and enjoyed a successful academic career.  Lettering multiple times in both golf and tennis, Sawyer also participated in band, acting, and journalism.

He enjoyed success at all levels of golf while growing up in Junior Golf Aberdeen programs.  As a First Tee lesson program and PGA Junior Golf League participant, Sawyer gained knowledge of how to compete while learning valuable life skills through the game of golf.  Later, he became a coach for both programs while participating on the SDGA State Junior Tour and helped lead Roncalli to several Region championships and top-5 finishes at State tournaments.

Sawyer finished second in his graduating class at Roncalli with a 4.041 grade point average.  He was a member of the National Honor Society and won the Spirit of the Cavalier award.  He is attending North Dakota State University and majoring in Pharmacy.

Hayley Wirebaugh of Aberdeen, SD was a multi-sport athlete for Aberdeen Central High School.  She had a successful career playing golf for the top-rated Eagles girls team.  Hayley also had a successful junior career playing in the PGA Junior League, SDGA Junior Tour, SDGA Championships, and many local championships.  As a First Tee junior golf participant she reached the Eagle Level and went on to volunteer coach for the Aberdeen area First Tee program.

Hayley had an outstanding academic career graduating 27th in her class, was a member of the National Honor Society, and won many scholarly awards.  She is attending South Dakota State and majoring in operations management.

Braydon Jones of Aberdeen, SD played golf for Aberdeen Central High School and was an All-Conference, multiple All-State, and Academic All-State competition winner.  He had a successful junior career playing in the PGA Junior League, SDGA Junior Tour, SDGA Championships, and many local championships.  Braydon was also a First Tee participant and coach for PGA Junior League.

Braydon had an outstanding academic career graduating second in his class, was a member of the National Honor Society, and won many scholarly awards.  He is attending the South Dakota School of Mines majoring in electrical engineering.

Micah Dohrer was an excellent high school athlete for Aberdeen Central, and later Roncalli.  He played basketball and golf and won the South Dakota Class A Individual Golf Championship his senior year.  He was also a multiple winner of several events including the City Junior Championship and Moccasin Creek Junior Club Championship.

Micah worked the summers as a coach for the First Tee lesson program and served as a mentor to young golfers.  He is attending Dakota Wesleyan University and playing on the men’s golf team.

 
Danielle Podoll of Aberdeen, SD attended Aberdeen Central and played on the girl’s golf team, earning All-Conference and All-State honors.  She was an Eagle level participate in the First Tee, served in 4-H, played on the numerous state champion Aberdeen Cougar girls hockey team, participated in rodeo, and won several junior golf events throughout her playing career.

As a National Honor Society member and Honor Roll graduate, Danielle is attending Southwest Minnesota State University and is pursuing a degree in Biology and Pre-Med.

Junior Golf Aberdeen is pleased to announce the winner of the Dean Shortridge Scholarship to benefit Aberdeen area junior golfers seeking post-high school educations. 

A $1000 scholarship has been awarded for the 2020-2021 school year to Ethan Vikander of Aberdeen, SD. Ethan played high school golf for Aberdeen Central and was a multiple All-ESD and All-State team member.  Ethan also enjoyed success on the on the SDGA Junior Tour and Minnesota Junior Tour and participated in several state championships.

Ethan volunteered as an instructor for the First Tee of South Dakota helping instruct youth at Moccasin Creek Country Club.  He also worked as a coach for the Rolling Hills teams as part of the Aberdeen PGA Junior League.  He is attending Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS, is a member of the men’s golf team, and pursuing a degree in business management.
 

A $1000 scholarship has been awarded for the 2019-2020 school year to Camryn Wipf of Aberdeen, SD.  Camryn played high school varsity golf for Aberdeen Central, and was a regular on the SDGA Sanford Junior Golf Tour.  Camryn has been active in The First Tee of South Dakota achieving the Ace Level and serving as a coach and mentor with The First Tee program in Aberdeen.  She graduated as one of the top students in her class and is attending Northern State University and pursuing a degree in elementary education.


In addition, three $250 scholarship winners were awarded:

  Lucas Schaefbauer of Aberdeen, SD is a former State A High School Team and Individual Champion for Roncalli High School.  He is also a coach and mentor for The First Tee of South Dakota and is attending South Dakota State University, while playing on the men’s golf team.
 
  Emily Kokales of Aberdeen graduated from Roncalli High School, played on the varsity girls golf team along with many other prep sports, and was an outstanding student and school leader.  She is attending the University of South Dakota.
 
  Brooklyn Hofer, a graduate of Aberdeen Central High School, achieved the Ace Level in The First Tee of South Dakota, and enjoyed an outstanding junior golf career.   She is attending Concordia St. Paul (MN) and playing on the women’s golf team.