The Southern Tennis Foundation congratulates six Southern college rising freshmen who will receive foundation scholarships totaling $4,000 over four years. In past years, four recipients were named. But the Southern Tennis Foundation received an extraordinary number of well-qualified candidates in 2017.
The 2017 recipients are Emaleigh Board, Ellen Blake, Nicole Christiansen, Jacob Marshall, Christopher Mines and Camille Quick.
Emaleigh Board
Elizabethtown, Ky.
Central Hardin High School
Tennis accomplishments: Central Hardin High School Tennis Team Most Effort Award 2015, 2016 conference champions (Girls’ doubles), 2016 Region Runner-Up (Girls’ doubles)
GPA: 3.98
Honors and Activities: Executive Council Vice-President; Executive Council support staff; Varsity & Earth Club member; Tennis Center at University of Louisville intern; Elizabethtown Tennis Commission Community Summer Camp volunteer; private tennis lessons instructor; Hawesville Church of Christ Ladies Day 2016 speaker; Elizabethtown Rotary Club Student of the Month
College: Freed-Hardeman University
Major Area of Study: Business Administration
Essay excerpt: I want to do something that will make a difference. After working summer tennis camps, giving private lessons and interning under at University of Louisville’s Meg Peavy, I discovered my career path. I will work outside of my academics to pursue my pro certifications to teach tennis. One day, I hope to run my own tennis facility.
Ellen Blake
Belton, S.C.
Belton Honea Path High School
Tennis accomplishments: 2016 BHP Tennis Coaches Award & 2016 Scholastic Award
GPA: 5.52
Honors and Activities: National Honors Society, Beta Club, Student Council, Belton Tennis Association, Relay for Life, Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes
College: Wofford College
Major Area of Study: Biological Sciences
Essay excerpt: Through education, I have gained knowledge and confidence. Through tennis, I have learned the value of good sportsmanship, hard work and dedication. I help the Belton Tennis Association during the Palmetto Championships Southern Qualifier and the SPUD tournament. I have also played five years of varsity tennis where I learned the importance of fair competition and teamwork.
Nicole Christiansen
Brentwood, Tenn.
Brentwood High School
Tennis accomplishments: 2016 State Champion; 3rd Place in State Qualifying Championships for Doubles in 2016
GPA: 3.79
Honors and Activities: Varsity Tennis 2016 State Champion; Member of Youth Group at Fellowship Bible Church; Named Athlete of the week in Williamson Co.
College: Belmont University
Major Area of Study: Business Administration
Essay excerpt: Being able to play tennis most of my life has shown me the importance of being consistent. I learned how to push myself and overcome whatever obstacle came my way on and off the court. Tennis showed me how blessed and lucky I am that I am healthy and can have a place to go everyday where I can grow and achieve my dreams.
Jacob Marshall
Bristol, Tenn.
Tennessee High School
Tennis accomplishments: Tennessee Most Improved Male Player of the Year; TSSAA State Champion Team (2014-16); TSSAA state champion doubles (2014-15); TSWA All-State tennis team 2016; Top 10 Player list 2016 Decoturf Tournament; All-Conference Player (2014-15); All-Conference MVP 2016; Southern Cup State Representative (2014-15); Sportsmanship recognition at JTT Nationals 2015; 4th place finish at JTT Nationals (2015-16)
GPA: 3.33
Honors and Activities: Varsity basketball; varsity tennis; school news anchor; After-school LEAPS program volunteer; Upward Bound basketball coach volunteer
College: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Major Area of Study: Business
Essay excerpt: During the past eleven years. I have built quite a trophy collection, been disciplined by my parents for those early outbursts on the court and won state championships. My desire to play tennis competitively came several years back when I recognized and began to value the meaning of team as a tennis player. My high school team and the Junior Tennis Team have fueled my passion for contributing to something larger than myself, both on and off the court.
Christopher Mines
Birmingham, Ala.
The Altamont School
Tennis accomplishments: 2017 1A-3A Alabama state champion; 2017 #2 singles state champion and 2017 1A-3A #2 doubles state champion
GPA: 3.84
Honors and Activities: Young Democrats Club, Spanish Club, School Ambassador, volunteer Ccach at tennis camp
College: Springhill College
Major Area of Study: Law/Pre-law
Essay excerpt: Tennis continues to influence my life and has created many opportunities. I believe volunteering, as a tennis coach, over the summer has made me a better person. I’ve enjoyed teaching the children about the sport and relating it with school and life. Tennis has taught me many life lessons such as work ethic, honor and perseverance.
Camille Quick
Atlanta
Westlake High School
Tennis accomplishments: 2015 National Arthur Ashe Essay Contest Winner; 2015 Coan Tennis Association Stephanie McLoyd Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Tennis, Community Service and Academics recipient
GPA: 4.0
Honors and Activities: Member of the Math Club, Debate Club, National Honor Society and the Technology Student Association; tennis captain and organized community engagements with Keep South Fulton Beautiful Organization
College: Georgia Tech
Major Area of Study: Pre-Engineering
Essay excerpt: After several years of entering the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest, I finally won. While taking a group picture near the front of Arthur Ashe Stadium, I noticed a quote by Arthur Ashe inscribed on a concrete wall: “From what we get, we can make a living. What we give; however; makes a life.” That quote will stay with me for the rest of my life. In the spirit of Mr. Ashe and Mr. Pasarell, I am determined to maintain my PTR license so that I can contribute to share this sport with young aspiring payers by weaving life lessons into every tennis lesson.
.