2024 Scholarship Recipients

Curtis Fowler is a setter that plays club volleyball for GSL in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attends Mountain Ridge High School. Curtis started playing volleyball in his backyard and in rec leagues at a very early age.

He’s played club since the age of 11 and has played for GSL the last three years. Curtis is passionate about volleyball and can’t imagine his life without it. Outside of volleyball he spends his time working, studying, playing the piano, dancing, singing, thrifting, with friends and family, and just loving life in general. 

“I was excited to apply to the Kevin Pratte Foundation scholarship because it was one of the few

scholarships that directly applied to me and my love for volleyball! I am so grateful to have won this

scholarship and greatly appreciate the Kevin Pratte Foundation for the donation toward my club fees. Since I won the scholarship, Kevin has kept regular communication with me about my recruiting process. He has given pertinent advice. In addition, he has helped get me in touch with coaches looking for athletes with my skills. I strongly encourage all boys’ volleyball players to apply for this scholarship. I hope this foundation continues to grow,” Curtis Fowler. 

KP’S Comments on Curtis: “Curtis is a renaissance man that thrives in everything he gets involved in. His leadership skills serve him well as a setter. I firmly believe those skills will take him far in volleyball. We are in good hands with Curtis being involved in our foundation,” Kevin Pratte.

John Howard III is an outside hitter that plays club volleyball for South Jersey Volleyball Club. He attends Pleasantville High School. John started playing volleyball during his freshman year of high school and instantly loved the sport. In the fall of 2024, John committed to playing college volleyball at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, which is the first HBCU with a Division One program. Outside of volleyball John loves spending time with his friends, playing video games, and listening to new music.

“When I first received word that I was selected as one of the winners for the Kevin Pratte Foundation

Scholarship I was ecstatic! I knew that this opportunity would help me achieve my goal of playing college volleyball. I appreciate KP and the foundation board for their commitment to youth and their drive for assisting in our futures. Also, I appreciate the foundation for paying for my club fees this season. KP was a central piece to me finding the right program that fit me as a player. I strongly suggest boys volleyball players around the country interested in playing at the next level apply for future scholarships. I am grateful for the opportunity the Kevin Pratte foundation has given me, and I will continue to help in his mission to grow the game,” John Howard III. 

KP’S Comments on John: “John grabbed the attention of our scholarship committee with his

commitment to the sport; his well-written  essay that  told his story and his passion to give back to the community. What is one of the most impressive things about John is that he meets deadlines and is impeccable with his word.  I am glad John is part of KP’S Crew, and I know he will be a valuable addition to our foundation,” Kevin Pratte.

Max Kuhn is a Libero for Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association’s 18s team. He attends Stanton College Preparatory and plays high school volleyball for Global Outreach Charter Academy. Max has been playing volleyball since he was 14. Other than volleyball, Max enjoys spending time with friends and family as well as going to the gym. 

“I was thrilled to find out that I won the KP’s Scholar Athlete and Civic Leadership Scholarship because it allowed me to be a part of a great community of people who want to help grow the sport I love. Additionally, I was super excited to help my family by winning, everything towards club dues counts,” Max Kuhn.

KP’S Comments on Max: “Max is passionate about the sport or volleyball and is committed to make an impact on his community. His coaches and director at Jacksonville went into great detail about how he has great leadership skills when I talked to them. I know Max is going to do wonderful things in the volleyball community and our foundation,” Kevin Pratte.

Aakash Malvankar is a dedicated athlete and leader who plays boys volleyball and serves as an

ambassador for the sport. Aakash began playing volleyball in 8th grade and has been committed to

developing the sport ever since. Aakash founded a boys volleyball club at his school to grow the game and create opportunities for others to share their passion.

Outside of volleyball, Aakash excels academically, balancing rigorous classes with community service and leadership roles. His involvement reflects a dedication to both personal and team success. Aakash aspires to pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon after playing college volleyball. This will provide him with the opportunity to stay connected to the sports world, ensuring his work continues to positively impact athletes.

“ I am honored to have received the KP Scholar Athlete and Civic Leadership Award. The Kevin Pratte Foundation inspires young athletes like me to strive for greatness both on and off the court. This recognition fuels my passion for volleyball and my commitment to giving back to the sport that has shaped my journey. I encourage all aspiring athletes to support and apply for opportunities like this, as they truly make a difference in our lives and our communities,” Aakash Malvankar.

KP’S Comments on Aakash: “Aakash is a self-starter. Our board members were impressed that he helped start a volleyball club at his high school and during covid he managed to build a volleyball net in his backyard to continue to improve on his game.  His passion, drive and intelligence are going to take him far in life.  We are thrilled that he is part of our foundation,” Kevin Pratte.

Marty O’Brien is a libero that plays club volleyball for 630 Volleyball in Illinois. He attends Whitney Young High School. Marty started playing volleyball when he was 13 and has been extremely devoted to the sport ever since. Outside of volleyball, Marty enjoys volunteering at St. Leonard Ministries and his local church. He  loves spending time with his family and friends.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to apply for the Kevin Pratte Foundation scholarship and ecstatic to hear that I won!  I am forever thankful for KP and his foundation board for everything they have done for me, especially raising money to help pay for my club volleyball fees. I am also grateful for the amount of help KP has given me in my college recruiting process, using his connections to help me get discovered. I am devoted to helping grow the game with KP, and I encourage every boys  volleyball player to apply for this prestigious scholarship, as it can be very beneficial to you and your volleyball journey,” Marty O’Brien.

KP’S Comments On Marty: “I can always count on Marty to keep me up to speed on boys’ club volleyball in Illinois. He is always advocating for his peers, willing to come on the KP HERE podcast and is extremely dedicated to the sport of volleyball.  I know for years to come that Marty will give back to the sport of volleyball and be a valuable member of our foundation,” Kevin Pratte.

Yensy Rodriquez is from Harlem, New York and a standout player on the Legacy 18s Boys National team.  He attends Mott Hall High School and is devoted to the sport of volleyball.  Outside of school Yensy enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing as much volleyball as possible.  A  goal of Yensy’s  is to play college volleyball, earn a degree and put himself in position to give back to the Legacy volleyball club.

“I was thrilled to win the Kevin Pratte Foundation Scholarship.  Volleyball is a passion of mine and I look forward to getting involved in the foundation to give back to the sport I love,” Yensy Rodriquez.

KP’S Comments on Yensy: “Yensy is passionate about volleyball and seems motivated to play college volleyball.  We support that he is striving to go play college volleyball and one day give back to the sport he loves.” said Kevin Pratte.

2023 Scholarship Recipients

Ben Hutchinson is an outside hitter and opposite hitter that plays Division 1 Men’s Volleyball at Ohio State University. Hutchinson comes from Indianapolis, Indiana where he played high school for Brebeuf Jesuit and club for The Academy Volleyball. There he was an AVCA High School First Team All-American, 2x JVA All-American, and a member of the Fab 50 list. He started in third grade growing up playing beach volleyball with his dad who was on the beach semi-pro circuit before Ben. Ben also loves to spend time with his family, volunteering at the food pantry in his hometown, and working in college as part of the Health Sciences Scholars program. Ben’s goal is to attend Medical School after college. 

“When I first met KP we hit it off, and I was so excited with how interested he was with Indiana Boys

Volleyball. He helped mentor me and give me a lot more visibility on the national stage.  When he first announced the scholarship, I thought what a great opportunity to get some assistance in my club fees, and it significantly helped me in my last year of club. One thing I would advise young athletes is to take every opportunity that comes your way because these valuable experiences will serve you well as you continue your path of volleyball. When I saw the opportunity to apply for the scholarship, I knew I had to take it, and would encourage you to too,” Ben Hutchinson.

KP’S Comments on Ben: “Ben is a great ambassador for our sport.  He is always willing to lend a helping hand and always tells me about recruitable athletes in his area.  There is no doubt in my mind that Ben will continue to advocate for our foundation and give back,” Kevin Pratte.