Zack Render sometimes went without food before being adopted at age 8
Credit: Zackary Render/Western Golf Association
NEED TO KNOW
- An Indiana teen who spent part of his childhood in foster care earned a scholarship worth more than $125,000
- Zack Render was adopted at age 8 and went on to earn a 4.13 weighted GPA
- The future Purdue University student tells PEOPLE he hopes his story inspires others to persevere through difficult circumstances
A teenager who spent part of his childhood in foster care is celebrating a life-changing achievement after earning a college scholarship worth more than $125,000.
Zack Render was recently named one of 24 student caddies in the state of Indiana to receive the Western Golf Association's Chick Evans Scholarship, a full tuition and housing scholarship awarded to golf caddies who demonstrate strong academics, financial need, character and a solid caddie record.
"The moment I received the letter from the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholarship Foundation on the porch, it took me about 10 minutes to find the courage to open it," Render, 18, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
"A lot depended on what was inside,” adds the teen, who earned a 4.13 weighted GPA.
The milestone is especially significant given the challenges Render faced in his early years.
His biological parents struggled with drug addiction, and he spent time in foster care, where he faced instability and uncertainty — sometimes even going without food.
Credit: Zackary Render/Western Golf Association
His life changed when he was adopted at the age of 8.
With the support of a forever family, Render was able to focus on school, work and building a future for himself. He says the recent milestone represents the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance.
"The Evans Scholarship means a lot to my family, as it is a great blessing given where I have come from," Render tells PEOPLE. "The amount of work I have put in, and my family has put into me, has finally paid off."
The teen says he started caddying at Hillcrest Country Club at age 14 to earn some extra money, and it soon became a major part of his life.
“I am now in the summer of my fifth year of caddying,” he shares.
Credit: Zackary Render/Western Golf Association
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Render, who has completed more than 200 loops, says caddying has taught him valuable life skills that extend far beyond the golf course.
"The professionalism that rubs off on you from your boss, clients and peers is exceptional and is not found in more common workplaces for teens,” he explains.
This fall, Render plans to attend Purdue University, where he hopes to study Supply Chain and Sales Engineering Technology.
Credit: Zackary Render/Western Golf Association
"I hope to excel in my studies, join a group of other amazing Evans Scholars at Purdue, and have a supportive community in which to thrive and pursue my education," he tells PEOPLE.
As he prepares for the next chapter, Render hopes his story encourages other young people to persevere through difficult circumstances.
"The main advice I would give to younger students who are considering caddying and working towards the Evans Scholarship is don't give up," he says. "It will be hard some days, but the main thing is to not give up and to persevere."
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