© Diane Bidermann and Ron Wyatt
The USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling program offers numerous scholarships each year to trampoline and tumbling athletes. This year, over $30K was awarded to deserving athletes. Below is the list of this year’s recipients, along with a description of each of the awards.
2011 Scholarship Recipients
| Steven Gluckstein | Jeff T. Hennessey | $5,000 |
| Savannah Vinsant | George Nissen | $5,000 |
| Justin Hackett | Jordan Bonne | $5,000 |
| Drew Collins | Tyson Smith | $2,500 |
| Tanner Page | Tyson Smith | $2,500 |
| Alaina Williams | USA Gymnastics T&T | $2,500 |
| Alicia Powder | USA Gymnastics T&T | $2,500 |
| Neil Gulati | USA Gymnastics T&T | $2,500 |
| Justin Celeski | USA Gymnastics T&T | $1,500 |
| Kristle Lowell | USA Gymnastics T&T | $1,500 |
| Kristin Day | USA Gymnastics T&T | $1,500 |
The $5,000 Jeff T. Hennessey Scholarship was established to afford deserving athletes the opportunity to pursue academic and athletic excellence. This scholarship honoring Coach Hennessey’s career and commitment to the sport of trampoline and tumbling is awarded annually to the qualified applicant that best exhibits the attributes of athletic achievement, sportsmanship and scholarship.
The $5,000 Tyson Smith Scholarship is named for the son of Carole Smith and the late Craig Smith, and beloved brother of Brooke Smith. Tyson was an outstanding all around athlete and competed in the sport of trampoline and tumbling representing Naples Progressive Gymnastics, Florida and as a national team member for the United States. Tyson was killed in February 2003 in a tragic traffic accident. Tyson’s many athletic accomplishments include being the first athlete from Florida to represent the USA in international competition. In Tyson’s career he won seven national titles, three international titles and was an AAU All-American three times. This scholarship award is presented to the USA Gymnastics Trampoline & Tumbling athlete who has shown him or herself to exhibit the talent, diversity and sportsmanship that defined Tyson’s life.
The $5,000 Jordan Bonne Memorial Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of USA Gymnastics Trampoline athlete Jordan Bonne. Jordan was an exceptional young man whose family and teammates were privileged to have known his spirit, enthusiasm, sportsmanship and faith. Our entire sporting community felt the loss of Jordan, but his young life served as an inspiration to his family, team and church. The recipient of this scholarship is the athlete whose career and performance best exhibits Jordan’s love for our sport and his sense of fairness, academic excellence and spiritual faith.
The $5,000 George Nissen Memorial Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of trampoline inventor George Nissen. George’s contribution to the sport of gymnastics touches every athlete that has competed in the sport. He was a true inspiration to those around him and dedicated his life to the advancement of the sport of trampoline as well as the human spirit. The recipient of this scholarship is presented to a trampoline competitor that continues to strive to reach new heights in the sport while pursuing academic excellence and inspiring others.
The USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling Scholarships recognize that college-age athletes are essential to our international competitive standing. The scholarship fund was established in order to give these athletes every opportunity to meet the demands of higher education while still training and competing for the program.