Two First Tee Teens Announced as the 2026 PURE Insurance Scholars
PURE Staff
September 19, 2025
First Tee Juniors Ashton Washington and Malakai Jazayeri were announced as the 2026 PURE Insurance Scholars. Both demonstrate exceptional leadership and serve as role models to younger participants at their local First Tee chapters. The scholarships were awarded at The Match—a team-style golf tournament that takes place during the PURE Insurance Championship.
Washington is a high school senior from Tampa, Florida. He is a member of the National Honor Society and is dual enrolled at his high school and Santa Fe College, where he is working towards an Associates degree in Business Administration. Washington is a 12-year participant at First Tee – Tampa and a dedicated volunteer at Feeding Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries. He plans to attend and play golf at Florida A&M University following graduation.
Jazayeri is a high school senior from Gilbert, Arizona. An exceptional golfer and scholar, he plans to attend college and play collegiate golf. He was a Top 10 finisher at the 2025 First Tee National Championship at the University of Notre Dame and the recipient of the 2024 First Tee – Phoenix Player of the Year Award. Through the Phoenix First Tee chapter, he mentors younger players and serves as a representative, speaking about the mission and impact at events.
PURE Insurance Scholars was introduced in 2021 to support First Tee and its College Scholarship Program. This scholarship provides financial support and mentorship to standout First Tee juniors. With the help of many, PURE surpassed the first $1 million goal in just four years and is committed to raise another $1 million by 2029 to continue supporting First Tee and PURE Insurance Scholars.
I’m so proud to continue our involvement with, and support of, this incredible organization.
"Golf skills aside, the young men and women of First Tee excel in the classroom; give their time to their communities; and lead in their First Tee chapters, their schools, and beyond," continued Leitch. "They’re going to shape the future—and PURE is proud to support them and help share their stories.”
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Ashton Washington and Malakai Jazayeri observe The Match—a team-style golf tournament that takes place during the PURE Insurance Championship. -
PURE's Chief Executive Officer Martin Leitch and First Tee – Tampa's Ashton Washington. -
PURE's Chief Executive Officer Martin Leitch and First Tee – Phoenix's Malakai Jazayeri.
Photo credit: Patrick Koenig
Meet past years' PURE Insurance Scholars
Hannah Stouder
2025 Scholar
Hannah Stouder was announced as a PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship. Throughout high school, she earned a 4.14 GPA and served as captain of her high school golf team. She completed more than 250 community service hours last year with several organizations including First Tee – Greater Sacramento’s US Kids Golf Tour and attended First Tee’s Innovator Forum where she developed Hannah’s Care Closet, which provides food, clothing and hygiene items to kids in need.
Hannah Stouder was announced as a PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2024 PURE Insurance Championship. Throughout high school, she earned a 4.14 GPA and served as captain of her high school golf team. She completed more than 250 community service hours last year with several organizations including First Tee – Greater Sacramento’s US Kids Golf Tour and attended First Tee’s Innovator Forum where she developed Hannah’s Care Closet, which provides food, clothing and hygiene items to kids in need.
Aditi Balakrishna
2024 Scholar
Aditi Balakrishna was announced as a PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship. Throughout high school, she proved herself as a leader and a champion of making positive change in her community, serving as President of the Neurodiversity Club and Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers. She earned a 3.97 GPA and was part of the National Honor Society. Aditi plans to combine her passion for mechanical engineering and golf to create sustainable golf products.
Aditi Balakrishna was announced as a PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2023 PURE Insurance Championship. Throughout high school, she proved herself as a leader and a champion of making positive change in her community, serving as President of the Neurodiversity Club and Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers. She earned a 3.97 GPA and was part of the National Honor Society. Aditi plans to combine her passion for mechanical engineering and golf to create sustainable golf products.
Isabelle Junio
2023 Scholar
Isabelle was announced as a PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship. She spent her high school years volunteering for the Agua Fria Fine Arts Festival and graduated with 4.58 GPA. She is a freshman at Arizona State University and is majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Geographic Information Systems. Isabelle dreams of designing spaces that benefit society and the environment.
Isabelle was announced as a PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2022 PURE Insurance Championship. She spent her high school years volunteering for the Agua Fria Fine Arts Festival and graduated with 4.58 GPA. She is a freshman at Arizona State University and is majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Geographic Information Systems. Isabelle dreams of designing spaces that benefit society and the environment.
Jacob Zakaria
2022 Scholar
Jacob received the title of PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2021 PURE Insurance Championship. Jacob spent 12 years involved with First Tee and volunteered as a coach and mentor to younger participants. He graduated with a 4.69 GPA and is currently a sophomore studying Molecular and Cellular Biology at UC Berkeley, hoping to pursue a medical career, and spent the last summer working at a local urgent care.
Jacob received the title of PURE Insurance Scholar at the 2021 PURE Insurance Championship. Jacob spent 12 years involved with First Tee and volunteered as a coach and mentor to younger participants. He graduated with a 4.69 GPA and is currently a sophomore studying Molecular and Cellular Biology at UC Berkeley, hoping to pursue a medical career, and spent the last summer working at a local urgent care.
