Four Huskies Earn Core Value Awards
April 13, 2020 | General
SEATTLE - In the fall of 2019, the University of Washington athletic department launched the Core Value Awards to celebrate and recognize how Husky student-athletes contribute to the UW community every day.
"Our core values are the foundation of our program; they are central to how we foster an environment in which our student-athletes can grow and thrive," said Kim Durand, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Student Development. "We could not be prouder of how the student-athletes push themselves and each other to be leaders on their teams, in their classrooms, and in their communities."
Four student-athletes were nominated and recognized from the winter quarter for exemplifying the UW athletics core values of grit, growth mindset, committed service, and humility.
Isaiah Stewart, Men's Basketball
As a freshman student-athlete, Stewart has already made his impact felt in a short period of time. In the classroom, he earned a gold Dawg tag, symbolizing his academic achievements of reaching a GPA of 3.75 or higher. In his free time, the New York native has stayed connected to his faith by attending bible study every Monday. No matter what he is doing, Stewart constantly spreads kindness and positivity in the community, whether it be purchasing girl scout cookies from young fans or taking time to engage with decade-long season ticket holders.
Stewart has put in work to be a dynamic student-athlete on the court as well. He was named to both the All-Pac-12 First Team and the All-Freshman Team for his efforts this season. While Stewart has been a stellar example of each core value, his displays of humility are second to none. Despite entering UW as one of the most talented student-athletes on campus, no job is too small for the freshman. He's always willing to do what is needed to help everyone succeed.
Amber Melgoza, Women's Basketball
Melgoza has contributed as a dedicated leader on the women's basketball team during her time at UW as can be seen from her many accolades. She has been named to the All-Pac-12 Team on two occasions, became the first player to score 30+ points three times in the the Pac-12 Tournament, earned the eighth-highest scoring average in program history, and became the third UW player to score more than 500 points in three seasons.
Whether it be in the classroom, in the community, or on the court, Melgoza has demonstrated an impressive work ethic. The Santa Barbara native has served as a leader and an example for her team, displaying grit, growth mindset, committed service, and humility throughout her career at UW.
Michaela Nelson, Gymnastics
Nelson personifies the UW athletics core value of grit perfectly. She works tirelessly to earn academic awards and career-high scores in the gym and was instrumental in helping the team create an impressive legacy this year. She has been a key contributor to the Washington community in many roles, including working at the Harborview Injury Prevention Center, serving as president of the UW Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Black Student-Athlete Alliance, and as the keynote speaker of Echo Lake Elementary school's annual Kindness Week. The senior was also named the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
When she is not volunteering, carrying out presidential duties, or studying, Nelson can be found scooping ice cream for other students before finals week, handing out gymnastics meet flyers, or serving pancakes in the dining hall, all to promote her team. Her dedication has already paid off as gymnastics became one of the top three UW sports teams in raising attendance.
Shayne McPherson, Volleyball
McPherson has been a model teammate and leader during her four years at UW. The senior has earned a 4.0 quarter GPA to go along with phenomenal play on the volleyball court.
McPherson's dedication to the UW athletics core value of growth mindset has been inspirational. She constantly is looking for ways to grow as a student-athlete and professionally, seeking out opportunities to pursue internships and grow her professional network. McPherson recognized the struggle of gaining professional experience while competing as a student-athlete, so she took on the extra work of being a volunteer intern during the beach volleyball season. The senior has consistently shown the other core values of grit, committed service, and humility as she has adjusted to the difficult circumstances in the midst of her internship opportunity and beach volleyball season.
"Our core values are the foundation of our program; they are central to how we foster an environment in which our student-athletes can grow and thrive," said Kim Durand, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Student Development. "We could not be prouder of how the student-athletes push themselves and each other to be leaders on their teams, in their classrooms, and in their communities."
Four student-athletes were nominated and recognized from the winter quarter for exemplifying the UW athletics core values of grit, growth mindset, committed service, and humility.
Isaiah Stewart, Men's Basketball
As a freshman student-athlete, Stewart has already made his impact felt in a short period of time. In the classroom, he earned a gold Dawg tag, symbolizing his academic achievements of reaching a GPA of 3.75 or higher. In his free time, the New York native has stayed connected to his faith by attending bible study every Monday. No matter what he is doing, Stewart constantly spreads kindness and positivity in the community, whether it be purchasing girl scout cookies from young fans or taking time to engage with decade-long season ticket holders.
Stewart has put in work to be a dynamic student-athlete on the court as well. He was named to both the All-Pac-12 First Team and the All-Freshman Team for his efforts this season. While Stewart has been a stellar example of each core value, his displays of humility are second to none. Despite entering UW as one of the most talented student-athletes on campus, no job is too small for the freshman. He's always willing to do what is needed to help everyone succeed.
Amber Melgoza, Women's Basketball
Melgoza has contributed as a dedicated leader on the women's basketball team during her time at UW as can be seen from her many accolades. She has been named to the All-Pac-12 Team on two occasions, became the first player to score 30+ points three times in the the Pac-12 Tournament, earned the eighth-highest scoring average in program history, and became the third UW player to score more than 500 points in three seasons.
Whether it be in the classroom, in the community, or on the court, Melgoza has demonstrated an impressive work ethic. The Santa Barbara native has served as a leader and an example for her team, displaying grit, growth mindset, committed service, and humility throughout her career at UW.
Michaela Nelson, Gymnastics
Nelson personifies the UW athletics core value of grit perfectly. She works tirelessly to earn academic awards and career-high scores in the gym and was instrumental in helping the team create an impressive legacy this year. She has been a key contributor to the Washington community in many roles, including working at the Harborview Injury Prevention Center, serving as president of the UW Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Black Student-Athlete Alliance, and as the keynote speaker of Echo Lake Elementary school's annual Kindness Week. The senior was also named the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
When she is not volunteering, carrying out presidential duties, or studying, Nelson can be found scooping ice cream for other students before finals week, handing out gymnastics meet flyers, or serving pancakes in the dining hall, all to promote her team. Her dedication has already paid off as gymnastics became one of the top three UW sports teams in raising attendance.
Shayne McPherson, Volleyball
McPherson has been a model teammate and leader during her four years at UW. The senior has earned a 4.0 quarter GPA to go along with phenomenal play on the volleyball court.
McPherson's dedication to the UW athletics core value of growth mindset has been inspirational. She constantly is looking for ways to grow as a student-athlete and professionally, seeking out opportunities to pursue internships and grow her professional network. McPherson recognized the struggle of gaining professional experience while competing as a student-athlete, so she took on the extra work of being a volunteer intern during the beach volleyball season. The senior has consistently shown the other core values of grit, committed service, and humility as she has adjusted to the difficult circumstances in the midst of her internship opportunity and beach volleyball season.
Made a splash 🌊 #GoHuskies #gatorade #collegesoccer
Thursday, October 23
Who are you bringing on a deserted island? 🤔🏝️ #GoHuskies #collegesoccer
Thursday, October 23
Head Coach Jedd Fisch Press Conference: October 23, 2025
Thursday, October 23
Huskies for a Cure | UW Medicine's Dr. Nora Disis, Director of the Cancer Vaccine Institute
Wednesday, October 22
