Jun 6

Written by: Iowa Games
Monday, June 06, 2011 7:52 AM 

AMES, Iowa (June 6, 2011) – Iowa Sports Foundation President, Jim Hallihan, announced the recipients of the 2011 Brian Pearson Memorial scholarship. This year’s recipients are Isaac Olson of Urbandale High School and Kaytlin Tippin of Waukee High School. 

Each year the Iowa Sports Foundation chooses two recipients to receive the distinguished Brian Pearson Scholarship, one male and one female. The scholarship, sponsored by the Orr, Kenyon and Skinner families, is to honor former Iowa State University Basketball Player Brian Pearson who died of brain cancer in 1997. 

Olson and Tippin were chosen for their character and ability to demonstrate citizenship, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Scholarship winners are also students who are accomplished in school, activities and make a positive impact in the community. 

Hallihan stated, “Each year I am always impressed with the quality of applicants for the Brian Pearson Scholarship and this year is no different.” “It’s refreshing to learn about so many of our Iowa youth who are making a positive impact on their school and community by volunteering their time to help others while keeping up with their studies and extracurricular activities.” 

Olson has an impressive list of community and school involvement which include participation in a community service day helping the elderly and picking up trash, serving meals at the Catholic Worker House, volunteering with the Urbandale Little League and Urbandale Soccer Club to clean up fields, paint lines and mow the grass. Olson has also volunteered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Breast Cancer Awareness, and the Parkinson’s Disease Association. 

Olson has also been an avid participant for the Iowa Games. He has competed in golf at the Summer Iowa Games for many years earning numerous medals. Isaac has earned a varsity letter in golf at Urbandale High School all three years as well as earning a Varsity letter in basketball and tennis as a junior. 

Tippin has developed leadership skills through her many experiences within the community and school. At Waukee High School, Kaytlin is an active participant in the Waukee Silver Cord Volunteer Program, RAK(Random Acts of Kindness), 
Wavemakers volunteer coach, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. Her community and church involvement includes being a group leader for the Lutheran Church of Hope Bible School, Lutheran Church of Hope Mission Navajo 
trip, Alzheimer’s Association Walk, Salvation Army bell ringing, and Reggie’s Sleep out in support of homeless youth in Iowa just to name a few. 

Tippin has built an outstanding athletic career. At Waukee High School, Kaytlin is a 3-year varsity letter winner and 3-year state qualifier in swimming. Tippin also served as swimming team captain in 2010. Tippin competes in tennis and track and field for Waukee as well. Kaytlin has also excelled in Iowa Sports Foundation events. She has competed in swimming in the Summer Iowa Games since 2002 and the Winter Iowa Games since 2003. During those years Tippin has earned 10 gold, 16 silver, and 8 bronze medals. 

Eligible applicants for the scholarship were students finishing their junior year in 2010-2011 and have participated in an Iowa Sports Foundation event. The $1,000 scholarship is to be used to pursue post high school education. The winners are also invited to participate in the Summer Iowa Games Opening Ceremony in Ames on Friday, July 15. 

The Iowa Sports Foundation (ISF) is a nonprofit sports management organization that helps develop amateur sports in Iowa and promotes positive lifestyles and physical fitness through athletic events and health education programs. The ISF hosts the Summer Iowa Games, Winter Iowa Games, Live Healthy America, Live Healthy Iowa, Live Healthy Iowa Kids, Fall Fitness Day, Go The Distance Day, Hoopin’ at the Dome, Net Fest, Fish Iowa Games, the ISF Mud Run, and the Iowa Games Golf Classic. 

-30-

(Contact: Ryan Vogt, Event Coordinator, Iowa Sports Foundation, 888-777-8881 ext. 103)