The “Become Your Own Dream” Scholarship, created by Hooman Tavakolian and co-founded along with Lorelei Martin and Jon Tush, is a 1-year award that goes to help a New York City student-athlete who has overcome hardship, graduated from high school, and plans to wrestle in college.

For Donors

If you would like to contribute to the Become Your Own Dream Scholarship, click the donation button below:

For Applicants

The deadline for the 2012-2013 School Year is:

March 29th, 2013

This scholarship will be decided annually based on the following criteria:

• Candidate is graduating from a high school in New York City.
• Candidate plans to wrestle in college. Note, this individual does not necessarily have to be recruited into an established collegiate wrestling program, but she or he must demonstrate an intent to wrestle in college, whether that be on an established team or by starting her or his own club team.
• Candidate has demonstrated financial need.
• Candidate has received a recommendation from his or her High School Coach.
• Candidate demonstrates:
  • Strength of character.
  • Commitment to academics.
  • Leadership skills.

How to Apply

To apply for this scholarship, a high school student must submit the following materials prior to the deadline of March 29th, 2013.

• A completed Application Form
• An essay that demonstrates:
  • How wrestling has influenced applicant’s life in a positive way
  • How applicant plans on giving back to the sport of wrestling in the future
• A letter of recommendation from coach, specifying how the applicant has demonstrated:
  • Strength of Character
  • Leadership Skills
• A copy of High School Transcript
• Demonstration of financial need, either:
  • Proof of having been on school lunch program
  • Parents’ confidential statement

Selection & Award Process

Once the submission period is closed, all applications will be reviewed by the selection committee and the one candidate who best represents the above criteria will be chosen to receive the scholarship. The winner will be announced at the Beat the Streets Annual Gala. Once the scholarship winner enrolls in a college program, arrangements will be made to transfer the funds directly to that institution on the winner's behalf. 

How You Can Help

Contributions to the “Become Your Own Dream Scholarship” can be made by check payable to “Beat the Streets Wrestling” with “Become Your Own Dream” written in the memo. These can be mailed to:

Beat the Streets Wrestling
“Become Your Own Dream Scholarship”
145 Thompson Street
New York, NY 10012

You can also make a credit card donation by clicking on the following link:

About the Founder

Hooman Tavakolian grew up in poverty among the affluent. He immigrated at the age of 9 to America from a war-torn Iran to living in a 3 bedroom home with one bathroom for 12 people. As a boy, he delivered papers to help make ends meet for his family, where even the small amount he made doing odd jobs was vital to keeping his family afloat. Throughout all this, he found Wrestling to be a constant and consistent source of respite, encouragement, and direction. He escaped all his worries when wrestling. Hooman truly believes that what he learned in life from wrestling helped him make it out of poverty to the financially independent and successful life he has today.

Beat the Streets thanks Hooman Tavakolian, Lorelei Tavakolian, Jon Tush, and all those who donate to this fund for helping other New York City girls and boys to achieve their dreams built upon hard work and determination in the face of financial and social challenges!

Past Winners

• 2012 - Amanda Jackson (Scholars Academy) and Ahmed Elsayed (Wingate)
• 2011 - William Vera (Bryant)