Foster Teen Earns 4.13 GPA and $125K Scholarship

Zack Render stood on his porch holding an envelope that could change everything. The 18-year-old from Indiana needed 10 minutes to build the courage to open it.

Inside was life-changing news. Render had earned the Chick Evans Scholarship, covering full tuition and housing at Purdue University. The award is worth more than $125,000.

For someone who once went hungry in foster care, the moment carried extra weight. Render's biological parents struggled with drug addiction, leaving him in a system marked by instability and uncertainty.

Everything changed when he was adopted at age 8. With a forever family behind him, Render found stability he'd never known.

He poured himself into his studies, earning a remarkable 4.13 weighted GPA. He also started caddying at Hillcrest Country Club at 14, initially just to make extra money.

Caddying became far more than a job. Over five years, Render completed more than 200 loops and discovered a community that shaped him. "The professionalism that rubs off on you from your boss, clients and peers is exceptional," he says.

The scholarship rewards golf caddies who demonstrate strong academics, financial need, solid character, and dedication to their work. Only 24 students in Indiana received it this year.

Why This Inspires

Render's story proves that where you start doesn't determine where you finish. His adoptive family gave him the foundation, but he built the future himself through countless hours of studying and working.

He hopes his journey encourages others facing tough circumstances. "The amount of work I have put in, and my family has put into me, has finally paid off," he tells PEOPLE.

The scholarship means Render can focus fully on his education without the weight of student debt. For someone who once lacked basic necessities, that freedom represents more than financial relief.

His experience caddying taught him skills beyond the golf course that will serve him throughout college and beyond. The discipline, professionalism, and work ethic he developed didn't come from a classroom.

This fall, Render will walk onto Purdue's campus as a freshman, carrying with him proof that second chances and hard work create real transformation.