FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 5, 2026) – The Davey O’Brien Foundation has announced the five finalists for the 41st Annual Davey O’Brien High School Scholarship Award. The scholarship, underwritten by Higginbotham and Simmons Bank, is presented each year to an exceptional senior student-athlete in North Texas.
This year’s finalists were selected from nearly 100 applicants who were selected by their schools. In alphabetical order, the five finalists are Samuil Kisel (Mansfield High School), Cameron McCain (Dr. Justin Wakeland High School), Noora Qureshi (Greenhill School), Lucia Ubiñas (The Hockaday School) and Jacob Yalovsky (Akiba Yavneh Academy of Dallas).
“Once again, reviewing all the High School Scholarship Award candidates from across the area was a truly incredible experience and a tremendous task for our committee,” David O’Brien Jr., Chairman of the High School Scholarship Selection Committee, said. “We are so honored to have these very deserving finalists associated with the Davey O’Brien Foundation.”
The recipient of the $50,000 scholarship will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the High School Scholarship Luncheon at The Fort Worth Club. The Foundation will also award $10,000 scholarships to each of the four remaining finalists. Recipients of the High School Scholarship Award are chosen based on scholastic achievements, community service, character, leadership and varsity sports participation. As part of the selection process, the committee will hold in-person interviews with all five finalists.
The Foundation has distributed over $1.4 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. The winner will be formally honored at the 50th Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club on Monday, March 8, 2027.
About the Finalists
Samuil Kisel (Mansfield High School)
Samuil Kisel is a National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction and three-year Texas Citizen Bee Regional Champion from Mansfield High School. He also was a UIL state qualifier in a pair of disciplines--Current Issues & Events and Social Studies. Athletically, he is a four-year letterman on the swim team and was a UIL Regional qualifier and team captain in 2026. Samuil also is an accomplished musician, published author, and has served as media communications director for fundraising campaigns aiding underprivileged families and orphaned children.
Cameron McCain (Dr. Justin Wakeland High School)
Cameron McCain is an AP Scholar with Distinction from Wakeland High School. In basketball, he is a four-year letterman, three-time academic all-district honoree, two-time all-district selection and two-year captain. He also played quarterback and led his team to the Class 5A Division I regional semifinals as a junior. Cameron has been a member of the Young Men’s Service League for four years and the organization’s Presidential Award recipient. In addition, he is a GENYOUth Youth Council Leader, a member of the Superintendent Student Advisory Council and a certified SAT mathematics tutor.
Noora Qureshi (Greenhill School)
Noora Qureshi is a National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction and early inductee into the Cum Laude Society from Greenhill School. She has been an all-region first-team selection in both field hockey and soccer, while being a four-year starter in both sports. The two-time All-Southwest Preparatory Conference performer is also a member of the Lonestar Field Hockey Club. In addition, Noora serves on the Greenhill Athletics Leadership Council, is Co-President of the Greenhill Muslim Student Association and is a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
Lucia Ubiñas (The Hockaday School)
Lucia Ubiñas is a National Merit Semifinalist and AP Scholar with Distinction who attends The Hockaday School. She was named Most Valuable Player of her field hockey and basketball teams and has earned All-Southern Preparatory Conference North Zone honors as a four-year starter in both sports. Lucia is a member of the Hockaday Social Impact Board and has been a leader and tutor at José May Elementary School. She also is a member of Student Council, the Latin and Hispanic Student Union and the H-Club at Hockaday.
Jacob Yalovsky (Akiba Yavneh Academy of Dallas)
Jacob Yalovsky is an AP Scholar with Honor and the recipient of Akiba Yavneh Academy’s Principal’s Award. In basketball, he is a three-time all-district performer and earned TAPPS Class 3A Second-Team All-State accolades as a junior. In soccer, he was first-team all-district twice and was honorable mention all-state as a junior. Additionally, he earned TAPPS Academic All-State honors in basketball and soccer and helped both to state titles. Jacob is a StandWithUs North America Intern, a student ambassador for the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and head teaching assistant in the STEM department.