DAVEY O’BRIEN HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 8, 2024) – The Davey O’Brien Foundation has announced the five finalists for the 39th Annual Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Award. The scholarship, underwritten by Higginbotham and Simmons Bank, is presented each year to an exceptional senior student-athlete in North Texas.

This year’s finalists, in alphabetical order, are: Tessa Goodyear (James W. Martin High School), Matthew Hofmann (St. Mark’s School of Texas), Faith Hooper (Ponder High School), Jason Clay Lindmark (Hebron High School) and Mark Tripple (R.L. Paschal High School).

“This group of finalists for the High School Scholarship Award is simply outstanding,” David O’Brien Jr., Chairman of the High School Scholarship Selection Committee, said. “The best of the best from across North Texas were nominated by their schools and these five stood out from that stellar group. We are so honored to have them associated with the Davey O’Brien Foundation.”

The recipient of the $30,000 scholarship will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the High School Scholarship Luncheon at The Fort Worth Club. The Foundation will also award $2,500 scholarships to each of the four remaining finalists. Recipients of the High School Scholarship Award are chosen on the basis of scholastic achievements, community service, character, leadership and varsity sports participation. As part of the selection process, the committee will interview all five finalists this week.

The Foundation has distributed over $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. The winner will be formally honored at the 48th Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.

–www.DaveyOBrienAward.com–

About the Finalists

Tessa Goodyear (James W. Martin High School)

Tessa Goodyear is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a member of the National Honor Society at James W. Martin High School. A member of the varsity cheerleading team, she was named a UCA All-American Cheerleader in 2023. In addition, Tessa is a member of the school’s symphony orchestra, where she is three-time all-region and all-area harpist. Outside school, she is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Commission as well as a youth liaison board member for Youth Leadership Arlington.

Matthew Hofmann (St. Mark’s School of Texas)

Matthew Hofmann is St. Mark’s School of Texas’ Executive Student Council President after serving as Class President his first three years. In addition, he was appointed to the school’s Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council and the Telos Leadership Society. Matthew is a two-year captain and four-year member of the varsity lacrosse team and earned All-SPC first team honors as a junior. He also serves as managing editor of the school newspaper and has volunteered for Teaching Technology Across Generations.

Faith Hooper (Ponder High School)

Faith Hooper is a National Merit Commended Scholar at Ponder High School. A three-year varsity letterwinner in tennis, she was named second-team all-district in 2023. A member of the UIL Academics Team, she was runner up in news writing at the UIL state meet. Faith has earned the National Charity League Mother-Daughter Service Award six consecutive years. She also is Student Council Treasurer, Class Secretary, a four-year member of the band and a two-year participant with the drill team.

Jason Clay Lindmark (Hebron High School)

Jason Clay Lindmark is a National Merit Commended Scholar and an A Honor Roll student at Hebron High School. A three-year varsity starter and a two-time team captain in football, he earned all-district honors in 2023. He also has lettered in track and field (discus and shot put) three years. Jason Clay founded his school’s Entrepreneurship Club as well as his own LLC, J&A Amenities. Additionally, he is involved with the Young Men’s Service League and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Mark Tripple (R.L. Paschal High School)

Mark Tripple is a National Honor Society member and Ann Brannon Award recipient at Fort Worth’s R.L. Paschal High School. He serves as the captain of the boys’ tennis team, where he is a two-year varsity letterman. In addition, Mark is active in the Superintendent Scholars Program and is a fourth-grade mentor for Academy 4 and a Link Leader for Paschal freshmen. In the community, he serves as program director at the Fort Worth branch of ACEing Autism.