Ten Coachella Valley high school seniors of the 2026 graduating class each received a $20,000 college grant as part of the 11th annual BNP Paribas Open Scholarship program, and they will be recognized during an on-court presentation Saturday at BNP Paribas Open.
Logan Crabtree, Stephanie Kochel, Ethan Miller and Perla Lopez Palomares of La Quinta High School, Jose Luis Palacios Morales and Evelyn Rios of Shadow Hills High School, Edgar Avila Fuentes and Isabella Partida-Lopez of Coachella Valley High School and Sinai Beltran and Angel Diarte-Salomon of Desert Mirage High School were awarded the grant money during a ceremony Thursday at La Quinta High School.
“BNP Paribas has always believed that tennis has a positive impact beyond the court. For a decade, we have been immensely proud to support high-achieving students in the Coachella Valley who display a passion for tennis,” CEO of BNP Paribas Jose Placido said in a statement.
Each student had to meet stringent requirements, including a strong academic record and a commitment to tennis.
Officials said this year’s recipients more than doubled the number of scholarships provided in previous years and widens the program’s reach from one school and four students to four schools and 10 students per year.
“The 2026 scholarship winners demonstrate that the positive impact of tennis extends beyond the court. It is wonderful to see BNP Paribas increase the number of scholarships this year and reaffirm its commitment to supporting talented young leaders in the Coachella Valley community,” Peggy Michel, assistant tournament director of BNP Paribas, said in a statement.
Superintendent of Desert Sands Unified School District Kelly May-Vollmar expressed her delight for the students saying “I am also proud of the 10 students who earned this year’s BNP Paribas Open Scholarship Awards through their academic success, community involvement and dedication to tennis.”