Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship Winner

July 16, 2025

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) alumna Yuliana “Yuli” Rosales has been awarded the 2025 Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship, a $10,000 honor presented annually during the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Edgewood Tahoe. Rosales received the award Saturday at a press conference alongside NBCUniversal Vice President Gary Quinn, Terri Upshaw, widow of Hall-of-Famer Gene Upshaw, and Nancy Harrison, LTCC Foundation Director.

A first-generation trailblazer

Rosales, a South Lake Tahoe native and first-generation college graduate, completed two LTCC associate degrees, an AS-T in Business Administration and an AA in Business (Accounting & Finance concentration), while maintaining a 3.55 GPA. She will transfer to UC Davis this fall to study Managerial Economics, aiming for a banking career that helps families like hers navigate home-buying and long-term financial stability.

“Yuli comes prepared, asks thoughtful questions, and takes active steps based on our conversations,” noted LTCC counselor Sasha Davila. “She understands the importance of staying on track and takes responsibility for her progress—qualities not all students develop so early.”

Investing in local talent

The Gene Upshaw Memorial Scholarship, established in 2009 by Terri Upshaw, honors her husband’s deep connection to Lake Tahoe and invests in promising local students. Each year, NBC Sports and the Upshaw family present the scholarship during the tournament’s championship weekend, underscoring the power of education to transform communities.

“Gene loved this event and loved this community,” Terri Upshaw said at the ceremony. 

Photo Credits: Katelyn Welsh / Tahoe Daily Tribune
Quote courtesy of Tahoe Daily Tribune