The David and Nicole Tepper Scholars Program, launched July 2020, is changing students’
lives for the better in the University of South Carolina’s David and Nicole Tepper
Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.
The David and Nicole Tepper Scholars Program recruits the best and brightest sport
and entertainment management students and enriches their education opportunities,
and ultimately their careers. Four incoming freshman are selected each year to be
part of this prestigious scholarship and mentorship program.
Destiny Adams graduated from South Pointe High School. She has worked part-time with
C-A-T Resources since 2023, gaining experience in time management, efficiency and
communication. Active in her community, Adams volunteered with several student organizations
and was a member of the National Senior Beta Club, National Honor Society and Junior
Civitans. With a 4.98 GPA and top 6% class ranking, she aspires to become a sports
agent and eventually launch her own agency representing collegiate and professional
football talent.
Anthony Blachman
Staten Island, New York
Anthony Blachman is a graduate of St. Joseph by the Sea High School where he maintained
a 4.0 GPA, served as student body secretary and earned Bloomberg certification through
the Institute for Business and Finance. He was named a Student of Excellence and a
National Honor Society member. A two-sport athlete, Blachman played football and rugby,
helping his team win the NYC Double AA football championship while earning the scholar-athlete
award. He also volunteered as a religious education instructor and food pantry worker.
Inspired by the opportunities offered through the Tepper Scholars Program, Blachman
aims to pursue a dual MBA/MSEM degree and work with a collegiate or professional sports
team.
Michael Davis
Calhoun, Georgia
Michael Davis graduated from Rock Hill High School. He has gained valuable leadership
and communication skills through roles at Carowinds as a lifeguard and at The Blake
at Baxter Village, along with community volunteer work. Davis was a member of the
National Honor Society, Beta Club, Teacher Cadet Honor Society and several student
organizations including the Athletic Training Club and Unified Champion Club. With
a 4.4 GPA and service as senior class president, he is passionate about a future in
the sports industry and hopes to one day work for ESPN.
Cori Johnson
Woodbridge, Virginia
Cori Johnson graduated from Forest Park High School. A devoted Washington Nationals
fan, she developed her passion for sports through academics, service and athletics.
Johnson maintained a 4.3 GPA, served four years on student council — three as vice
president — and was a yearbook editor, National Honor Society member and Morgan Message
Ambassador. She also captained her varsity soccer team and swam competitively for
three years. Outside of school, she worked in food service and volunteered with underserved
elementary schools. Johnson hopes to build a career in Major League Baseball.
Catherine Cory is involved in the Women in Sports and Entertainment Club, USC Club
Rowing and the HRSM Leaders program. She worked her first paid event at the PLAYERS
Championship in crowd management with CSC. Cory aspires to manage an arena or music
venue and is grateful for the Tepper Scholarship Program’s support.
Henry Della Penna
Bedford, New York
Henry Della Penna earned a 4.0 GPA in his first semester and has already volunteered
at the Big South Track and Field Championship. He attended the SEVT Conference and
is active in Sigma Phi Epsilon. Della Penna is pursuing a career in sports and entertainment
and values the Tepper program’s guidance.
Lizzie Powell
Charlotte, North Carolina
Lizzie Powell has volunteered at Darlington Raceway, supported the National Wild Turkey
Federation and worked the 2025 Masters Tournament. A Charlotte native and lifelong
Panthers fan, Powell met the TSE team at a Panthers game and looks forward to more
experiences through the Tepper program.
Sydney Smith
Lexington, South Carolina
Sydney Smith earned Dean’s List honors and was named a top 10 point leader for the
Multicultural Outreach Student Team. She attended the SEVT Conference, gained ticketing
experience at the Carolina vs. Clemson game and supported tournament operations at
The Bash. Smith is confident in her choice to study sport and entertainment management.
Charitable Impact
Cohort 5 contributed to the community through: Sigma Phi Epsilon philanthropy activities,
Big South Track & Field Championship, Multicultural Outreach Student Team, HRSM Represent,
Women in Sport and Entertainment, Abevvy, The Association of African American Students,
Serve with Syd and MAPP
Morgan Guynn raised funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through Chi Omega and volunteered
at Wish events supporting children receiving their granted wishes. At home in Maryland,
she serves meals and distributes clothing at the Frederick Rescue Mission. On campus,
she helped welcome incoming students and families during Admitted Students Day as
an HRSM Leader.
Forrest Merrill
Wilmington, North Carolina
Forrest Merrill worked the 2025 Masters Tournament and serves as a marketing intern
with Gamecock Athletics. He also participated in the HRSM Innovation Tour in New York.
Kios Perrin II
West Columbia, South Carolina
Kios Perrin II co-founded a youth basketball league in Lexington, South Carolina,
leading his team to the championship game. This experience fueled his passion for
athletic administration and coaching. The Tepper Scholarship has helped him grow his
network and explore sports operations through the HRSM Leaders program.
Brianna Watts
Cary, North Carolina
Brianna Watts is a Tepper and Capstone Scholar active in HRSM leadership, the Carolina
Colorguard and as treasurer of HRSM REPRESENT. She has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade, interned at the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and participated in
the 2024 Innovation Tour in NYC. Watts is focused on a career in sports finance.
Charitable Impact
Cohort 4 supported the following organizations this year through their community service:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Omicron Delta Kappa, Service Carolina, Multicultural
Outreach Student Team, FCA @UofSC (Future Coaches Association), Church Basketball
League.
Todd Hardy Jr. has completed internships with the South Carolina Football Hall of
Fame and Carolina Panthers, reinforcing his goal to become a legal officer for a sports
organization. He also interns with South Carolina football recruiting and serves as
an HRSM Leader, mentoring fellow students.
Sydney Rhue
Irmo, South Carolina
Sydney Rhue is a marketing intern with Gamecock Athletics and works in the athletic
business office, gaining experience in finance and purchasing. Her time at USC has
boosted her confidence and solidified her interest in a career in finance or ticket
services.
Jeremiah Smith
West Columbia, South Carolina
Jeremiah Smith interned with Tepper Sports and Entertainment, supporting the Panthers
and Charlotte FC. He has served as a recruiting assistant for USC football and recently
began interning with the South Carolina State Senate. Smith credits the Tepper program
for his personal and professional development.
Kelsey Smith
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Kelsey has worked for the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC in team operations, entertainment,
equipment, and stadium operations. She also helped create and manage N.I.L. collectives
for South Carolina Athletics and served as a student manager for the USC volleyball
team. She has completed her coursework and will complete her practicum this fall,
the final requirement for her degree.
Charitable Impact
Cohort 3 supported the following organizations this year through their community service:
Middle Tyger Community YMCA scholarship committee, Play60 Camp, Silver Spring Pennsylvania
Fire Company, HRSMrepresent, Harvest Hope.
Jake Brown built strong industry relationships while still a USC student through roles
with the Carolina Panthers, TSE, Learfield, Charlotte FC, Bespoke Sports & Entertainment
and Peak Sports MGMT. He served as a College of HRSM Student Leader and a Department
of Sport and Entertainment Management Student Mentor. After graduation this spring,
he accepted a position as an events assistant with ESPN Events.
Ambar Ferra (Spring 2025 Grad)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ambar Ferra completed a rotational internship with TSE, worked at the Masters Tournament
and Panthers gamedays, and interned with South Carolina Athletics while still a USC
student. She participated in the HRSM Leadership Program and the Dean’s Global Classroom
in Japan. After graduation this spring, Ferra joined the Houston Dash and Houston
Dynamo Football Club as an event services coordinator.
Hannah Margeson (Summer 2024 Grad)
Potomac Falls, Virginia
Hannah Margeson served as a College of HRSM Student Leader and earned an Academic
Excellence Award in 2023-24. After a post-graduation internship with Bespoke Sports
& Entertainment in Charlotte, she accepted a permanent position as coordinator of
client services at Aquarius Sports and Entertainment in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She
is engaged to be married to fellow College of HRSM alum Tyler Mains.
Kayla Simmons (Spring 2025 Grad)
Lodi, New Jersey
Kayla Simmons was a Case Cup team member and served as a teaching assistant for finance
and held an officer role in Sigma Psi Mu professional fraternity as a USC student.She
interned with the Credit One Charleston Open and USGA. After completing her coursework,
she spent spring semester interning with the New Jersey Devils, and earned a full-time
role with the team as a sales associate.
Charitable Impact
Cohort 2 supported the following organizations this year through their community service:
College of HRSM, Fort Mill Animal Shelter, Joy to the Carolinas, Riverbank Zoo and
Garden, Sigma Psi Mu, Torrimar Ladies and Young Life.
Maddi earned honor after honor as a USC student, including the College of HRSM Dean’s
Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Outstanding Senior Award, and the President’s
Award. and graduated magna cum laude. After starting her career as a seasonal intern
with the Baltimore Ravens, she joined the Cleveland Browns in a permanent position
as team logistics and operations assistant.
Jordan Mooring (Summer 2024 Grad)
Alpharetta, Georgia
First-generation student Jordan Mooring came to USC having already overcome adversity
and hoping to prove that with hard work you can overcome obstacles and are not defined
by your circumstance. She succeeded, earning her degree in sport and entertainment
management and moving on after graduation to an internship with USA Football.
Devon Watson (Spring 2024 Grad)
McDonough, Georgia
Devon Watson came to South Carolina after graduating as valedictorian of his high
school and continued to grow and excel as a Gamecock. He served as a College of HRSM
Student Leader, USC Athletics Ambassador and Gamecock Football student manager, as
well as a Panthers game day associate. After graduation, he joined the Washington
Commanders as a seasonal equipment intern.
Celebrating the Cohort 1 Tepper Scholars
Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.
