The Southern Tennis Foundation congratulates four Southern college rising freshmen who will receive foundation scholarships totaling $4,000 over four years.
The recipients and their colleges are Mary Beth Jackson, Jasmine Keiler, Amanda Kilduff and Rebecca Sherman.
Mary Beth Jackson
Whisphering Pines, NC
Union Pines High School
Tennis accomplishments: 2015 Doubles 3A State Champion; 2012 & 2015 CFV Conference MVP, 2015 Dual Team State Mid-East Regional Champion; 2012 USTA Girls’ 14s Sportsmanship Award for North Carolina
GPA: 4.74
Honors and activities: National Honor Society, All-Country Orchestra (cello)
College: Sandhills Community College
Major area of study: Business
Essay excerpts:
Tennis has been the most influential activity through my adolescent years.
It has taught me sportsmanship: how to win humbly and lose gracefully; persistence and dedication; the importance of being a team player: leading by example and uplifting others; and giving back to the sport with a passion for helping younger players. Most importantly, I have learned to manage prioritizing the demands of my academic studies and competitive tennis activities.
I have had many role models who have influenced me, but my dad stands out. He was my first tennis instructor, my math tutor, and a source of advice in many areas. He constantly reminds me that school is my top priority. Being a former Division 1 collegiate player, I received my best tips from him; he has helped me maintain an “A” average through every math course; and he has taught me the importance of budgeting money wisely.
Jasmine Keiler
Newnan, GA
East Coweta High School
Tennis accomplishments: 2016 East Coweta team captain, 2015 East Coweta MVP, 2015 USTA Georgia Scholar Athlete of the Year, 2014-2015 East Coweta Tennis All-Country Team
GPA: 95 (weighted)
Honors and activities: 2015-16 National Honor Society, 2013-15 Advance Academic Club
College: Agnes Scott College
Major area of study: Pre-law
Essay excerpts:
Tennis has opened many doors of opportunities for our family. Through tennis, I am able to make new friends and learn to work with others. I learned the value of teamwork and leadership, and gained confidence in myself and my tennis skills. Tennis also taught me to work hard on and off the court.
In summer of 2014, I had the privilege to volunteer at a Wounded Warriors Tennis Camp sponsored by UST A Southern Crescent. I learned from the campers to never let your disabilities be an obstacle from living your life and pursuing your dream as long as you work hard and never give up. Since June 13, 2015, I also been volunteering at our free community outreach tennis program in Newnan Ga, call “Serving4Success.” As a volunteer coach, and a high school tennis player I can see the impact the tennis program has on our participants ages 4-17.
Amanda Kilduff
Ocean Springs, MS
Ocean Springs High School
Tennis accomplishments: 2015-16 Doubles State champion, 2011-15 Team State champions, Mixed State champion
GPA: 4.8
Honors and activities: National Honor Society, 2015-16 President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, YMCA Earl Wyman Performance Achievement Winner,
2014-16 Cross Generation Founder and President, Rube Goldberg Award, principal flute player
College: Samford University
Major area of study: Nursing
Essay excerpts:
Over the past few months as I am preparing for a new season of my life, I have had time to reflect over the impact of the investment of my time in high school which was both on the court and in the classroom. Through this reflection, I have seen the development of the character traits that make me who I am that would have otherwise not been developed. Among these, I find the most value in the humility and work ethic that both tennis and high school have instilled in me.
I can remember the joy of the first time I qualified for Southerns like it was yesterday, but I can also remember the disappointment of losing once I got there. This same humbling pattern that repeated throughout my years of tennis thus far was repeated throughout each grade level in school.
Rebecca Sherman
Little Rock, AR
Little Rock Central High School
Tennis accomplishments: 2012-16 All-State, Ranked No. 2 in girls’ 18s in Arkansas
GPA: 4.09
Honors and activities: Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, National Honor Society, Principal’s Cabinet, Art History Club founder, AP Scholar Award
College: Hendrix College
Major area of study: Undecided
Essay excerpts:
Throughout high school, I was able to maintain over a 4.0 GPA while practicing every day and playing tournaments on the weekends. It was hard and exhausting, but I wouldn’t have asked for anything else. I know as I embark on the college experience that I will continue to play tennis, whether at the collegiate level or even the club level.
Throughout my life I have always followed in my mother’s footsteps by volunteering any chance I could get. From helping out around the community to helping different organizations such as Susan G. Komen and the American Diabetes Association, I always look forward to giving back to the community.