2021 Scholarship Recipients

TEN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS/ACADEMIC AWARDS ESTABLISHED IN LAST 13 MONTHS

MAY 3, 2021 – The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF), the charitable arm of United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Section, announces the award of ten $1,000 college scholarships. The foundation has awarded scholarships since 2016, but, for the first time this year, all STF scholarships are supported by endowments.

Here are the newly endowed scholarships and the dates they were established:

• Two (2) Mildred F. Southern Academic Excellent Awards, April 2020
• Four (4) Dennis & Pat Van der Meer Higher Education Scholarships, November 2020
• Two (2) JL Stacks Memorial Scholarships, January 2021
• Paul Scarpa Scholarship, March 2021
• David R. Mauritson Memorial Scholarship, April 2021

The STF’s Scholarship Committee selected 10 exceptional graduating high school seniors to receive the scholarships and academic excellence awards.

Each student listed below will receive $1,000 to help offset the expenses of his or her first year of school. The awards will continue for three additional years provided the recipient remains a student in good standing, giving each scholarship a total value of $4,000. The primary consideration in awarding the scholarships was academic performance and potential, but community service and sportsmanship were also considered. To be eligible for consideration, students were required to demonstrate financial need and to have played tennis at least two of their high school years, either on a school team or through tournaments, National Junior Tennis & Learning, Junior Team Tennis or other USTA programs.

2021 Scholarship Recipients

Thanks to its many generous benefactors the Southern Tennis Foundation will is able to award scholarships to deserving college students each year. Click here for  the link to apply for next year’s awards.

2021 STF Scholarship Recipient Bios

Jack Barney

Recipient of the Dennis & Pat Van Der Meer Higher Education Scholarship

• Hometown: Hilton Head Island, SC
• High School: Hilton Head Preparatory
• College: University of South Carolina
• Major/Career Path: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration or Psychology
• Essay Excerpt: When I joined my high school team in eighth grade, I was the lowest player on the roster. Sophomore year our team lost 5-3 in the state championship match, I was just outside of our top six players. … Junior year, I made the top six and was ecstatic; unfortunately, our season was cancelled due to Covid-19. As a Senior and the captain, I look to make a contribution and hopefully win the championship title that has been five years in the making for me.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Captain of Hilton Head Prep Varsity Tennis Team
  • SCISA 2A State Championship Tennis Team
  • The Mayor’s Call to Service Award
  • 2020 President’s Volunteer Service Award
  • Tennis Carnevale Scholar
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player is Rafael Nadal. I enjoy his energy and style of play. As well as the fact that we are both lefties.
• Advice to Younger Players: My advice to junior players is to aim for a 1% improvement every day. Too many people overestimate what they can do in a day, and underestimate what can be done over a year or years.

 

Caroline Biddle

Recipient of the Mildred F. Southern Academic Excellence Award

• Hometown: Brandon, MS
• High School: Northwest Rankin
• College: Ole Miss
• Major/Career Path: Accounting and Political Science
• Essay Excerpt: I started playing tennis when I turned ten years old in an attempt to get me interested in a sport. It was either tennis or cross-country; luckily, tennis took. I fell in love with the sport and have devoted thousands of hours to becoming better. My love for tennis leads me to my love of academics. Tennis was the reason I wanted to do so well in school, in order to qualify me for eligibility. My parents were also extremely strong influences with the idea of school coming first before tennis. I love tennis, but I am a true academic.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Northwest Rankin Tennis Team
  • Beta Club
  • National Honor Society
  • National English Honor Society
  • USTA MS Ready to Rally Volunteer
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player is Naomi Osaka because as one of the younger players on the tour, I relate to her the most. We share common experiences, such as the importance of mental health, and I find that if I met her in real life, we could be good friends. She became my favorite player after the controversial 2018 US Open final against Serena Williams. Even with the crowd audibly against her, she persevered and ended up becoming the US Open champion. I admire her for her strength.
• Advice to Younger Players: My advice to younger players is everyone has a bad day of tennis. Tennis pros have bad days of tennis. I have had quite a few rough days and I never let it get me down. If you get in your head and say, “I can’t play tennis,” you will start to believe it and eventually hold yourself back. One bad day of tennis is not the end of the world, in fact it helps you identify with what you could do better to improve your game. Tennis is a lifelong sport, do not let a hard day hold you back from that.

Makayla Cobbs

Recipient of the Dennis & Pat Van Der Meer Higher Education Scholarship

• Hometown: Reevesville, SC
• High School: Woodland High School
• College: USC-Upstate
• Major/Career Path: Nursing
• Essay Excerpt: When I began to play tennis, I was a bit nervous, but in the end, I became one of the best in my options. No matter how bad I was when I started, I now can say that I am better and am still improving to be great. When I get to college, I will find a tennis team that I can be a part of to continue my tennis career. I know that it will be challenging to hassle between playing tennis and becoming a nurse, but I know everything will work out in the future.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis
  • National Society of High School Scholars
  • TRIO Upward Bound
  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
  • George Youth Sports League NJTL
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player would be Serena Williams. I say this because she reminds me much of myself from her determination and drive that she has. Every time that she was faced with battles, she always found ways to overcome those and become even better every time. I too am faced with things like this in my life, but no matter what I never let it stop me. I also loved seeing her play and always wished that one day I can be as good as her.
• Advice to Younger Players: My advice I would give younger junior players would be to stay focus, set goals, and be determined. You have to stay focus not just on the counts, but in school as well. Always keep your grades up and never be scared to ask for help when you need it rather than wait until last minute for things. I say set goals because the more you set goals for yourself the more you would have that urge to want to achieve that goal. Lastly, you have to be determined, no matter what you face in your personal life you should always want to be better and do better than what you are already faced with. When doing all of these do not worry even if it feels like you are not, but one day you will be successful and live your dreams.

Lawson Godwin

Recipient of the JL Slacks Memorial Scholarship

• Hometown: Dunn, NC
• High School: Triton High School
• College: North Carolina State University
• Major/Career Path: International Studies and Public Policy
• Essay Excerpt: I look at our world in the same perspective as the court that I had first played on; our world is not perfect, and it never will be. With each center strap placed on the court, or each small change made, meaningful effects can be elicited.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis- Captain
  • Beta Club
  • SGA Executive Treasurer
  • JROTC
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Favorite Tennis Player: Too often in the sport of tennis, we are infatuated with who is the best—stats, years of experience, etc. However, that simply should not define who your favorite tennis player is; it should be a combination of several factors—beliefs, attitude on the court, the way they handle themselves. For this reason, my favorite tennis player is Naomi Osaka. Osaka is the exemplification of the person I aspire to be. Despite being faced with adversity, hate, and challenges as a younger tennis professional, Osaka continues to be herself on the court. She wears the names of victims of police brutality—not caring about her reputation being at stake, refuses press conferences in an attempt to shine light on mental health awareness and plays the best she can every time she gets on the court. These factors (and many more) are what make Naomi Osaka my favorite tennis player.
• Advice to Younger Players: Tennis is about having fun. Sometimes, I look back at my juvenile years of playing, and I realize that I should have taken in the moment instead of being so focused on winning. I would practice every day, not enjoy myself when I played, and I began to not enjoy the sport. However, when I took breaks, focused on playing for fun, and stopped rushing the process of getting better, I began loving the sport I had loved all along. We only live this life once, and while you can remain dedicated to the sport, it is important to take breaks for yourself and those around you.

Kimani Green

Recipient of the Dennis & Pat Van Der Meer Higher Education Scholarship

• Hometown: George, SC
• High School: Woodland High School
• College: Converse College
• Major/Career Path: Orthopedic Surgeon
• Essay Excerpt: Since being a part of USTA it taught me how to be a better leader. Having to teach others and being a mentor really showed how good of a person I really can be. It showed me that I have a voice and how it does matter so I should use it to the best of my ability. But not only showing that no matter what is already on my plate such as playing Division II basketball, and school on top that just shows I can do it all. No matter what obstacles are thrown my way they will not stop me from what God has set for my life.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis
  • Beta Club
  • NAACP
  • Region 6AA Tennis Player of the Year
  • George Youth Sports League NJTL
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player is Serena Williams because she is what I call an excellent woman, mom, and athlete who shows that we, African American women, can do it all. She expresses women’s rights and how it has been going on so long not only in the sport she plays in but around the world. She has stood up for herself time and time again, speaking out against double standards in sports, the gender pay gap, and sexist remarks. That is what makes Serena Williams my favorite tennis player.
• Advice to Younger Players: I would l like to tell younger junior players is that no matter what obstacles are thrown your way in life do not let it be your stopping point to making it one step closer to your lifelong goals and dreams. You make your own path and lead it and not let others dictate the path they want you to follow. Make sure in whatever you plan to do go out there and do your very best. Always remember to put God first and everything will be alright.

Aidan Mahoney

Recipient of the Mildred F. Southern Academic Excellence Award

• Hometown: Lake Charles, LA
• High School: M Barbe High School
• College: Boston University
• Major/Career Path: Public Health
• Essay Excerpt: I knew I had to change my unhealthy patterns of eating if I wanted to get back on top. So that is what I did—I not only completely changed my diet but also started working out in my free time. As I learned more about how the food I ate affected my body, I started to become in love with nutrition and the physiology of the human body.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis
  • # 1 Ranked Junior in Louisiana
  • National Honor Society
  • Student Council
  • Key Club
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player is Rafael Nadal, simply because there is no other player who embodies such a love for the sport. Every match, every single point, he gives his all, leaving everything on the court. I admire his fight and passion for the game so much as I try to bring that same kind of intensity into my own matches. His work ethic after all these years of greatness with so many achievements is so inspiring to me. He’s taught me that a champion is made not only through matches won on the court, but through tenacity and sportsmanship as well.
• Advice to Younger Players: My advice to younger junior players would simply be to trust and enjoy the entire process. Do not take for granted all the fun you are having on court hitting with your friends, or the family memories made in traveling to tournaments in new places. Know that your hard work will pay off one day, even if it comes later rather than sooner. I personally did not experience the peak of my junior tennis career until being sixteen years old… eight years after I started playing tournaments. This entire journey is a marathon, not a sprint, so try to soak up every magical moment on the court before suddenly your junior career comes to its conclusion, and you are wishing you could do it all again.

Bradey Minnich

Recipient of the Paul Scarpa Scholarship

• Hometown: Greenville, SC
• High School: Wade Hampton High School
• College: Citadel
• Major/Career Path: N/A
• Essay Excerpt: Tennis is an individual sport, but tennis has created a brotherhood for me. … Tennis has taught me in life there are good days and there are some days that just do not go your way, but if you wake up every day with the sole goal of being better than yesterday then you will succeed.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis Team Captain
  • All Region Award
  • United Ministries Volunteer
  • Junior Team Tennis Sportsmanship award
  • Most Valuable Player
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis is Novak Djokovic because his game is the most complete out of anyone. I love the way he returns big serves and plays with a fiery passion every time he steps on the court. 
• Advice to Younger Players: My life advice for younger junior players is to be patient, embrace every time you step out on the court and enjoy it.

Eve Moore

Recipient of the Dennis & Pat Van Der Meer Higher Education Scholarship

• Hometown: Atlanta, GA
• High School: Westlake High School
• College: Tennessee State University
• Major/Career Path: TV/Film Editor
• Essay Excerpt: I was born with hydrocephalus, a condition for which there is no cure. Hydrocephalus is when there is too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, commonly known as a “water-head.” … Many young people with hydrocephalus don’t get the chance even to consider higher education. Despite having 10 surgeries, I have been seizure-free for almost five years. I do not take that lightly that I have been blessed regardless of the difficulties hydrocephalus brings.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis
  • Orchestra
  • National Society of High School Scholars
  • Junior Coach for West Atlanta Tennis
  • South Atlanta CTA NJTL
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player currently would have to be Coco Gauff, seeing as she is the youngest tennis player in the top 100. It is really inspiring as a fellow young tennis player and watching her play just makes me that much more ready to go out and practice.
• Advice to Younger Players: Some advice I have for younger players, please do not push yourself too hard. I know what it can be like to push yourself past your limit and I would not wish that upon anyone. Take breaks from things if you need to but remember to get back to it.

DaQuarris Poole

Recipient of the David Mauritson Memorial Scholarship

• Hometown: Huntsville, AL
• High School: Columbia High School
• College: Alabama A&M
• Major/Career Path: Physical Education
• Essay Excerpt: Since I started helping younger kids become better tennis players, I better understand the value of giving back to my community and why Coach Garrett invested in me. Now I have an intense passion for teaching kids and young teens. I feel great satisfaction in helping these kids excel in not just tennis, but also in life. Helping these kids achieve their tennis goals and dreams made me realize that I am capable of touching a life and using my influence to make a big difference.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis Team Captain
  • JROTC Platoon Leader
  • 100 Black Men of Greater Huntsville
  • Varsity Football
  • Youth Development Association NJTL
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player is Marin Cilic. I love his game and the way he moves. Cilic has excellent technique on most shots and overall has all the tools necessary to beat the best players in the world! Cilic has a great forehand. He has great technique and can hit the ball incredibly hard. He has a lot of variety with this shot. He can hit solid cross-court topspin shots, he can hit crazy flat winners and he can hit really nice angles as well. I personally think once he plays more aggressive and stands closer to the baseline there will also be plenty of opportunities to finish off points at the net.
• Advice to Younger Players: My advice would be to get a better understanding of tennis. Play smarter not harder. I also think young tennis players should practice every day for at least 30 to 40 minutes a day. You are not going to get better if you practice every week. Lastly, never give up on your dreams. It may not happen when you want it to but one day your dream will come true if you keep going. I leave you with this. Be positive. Be happy. And above all be humble.

Elizabeth Vollmin

Recipient of the JL Slacks Memorial Scholarship

• Hometown: Wilmington, NC
• High School: Hoggard High School
• College: Queens University of Charlotte
• Major/Career Path: Exercise Science
• Essay Excerpt: Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to play college tennis. I have had the privilege of training with world class professionals throughout my ten years playing tennis. Tennis has allowed me to meet the most amazing friends and coaches. I have learned perseverance, commitment, dedication, leadership and so much more from this sport that will allow me to use those skills off the court and in the real world.
• Activities & Awards:
  • Varsity Tennis
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
  • Student Council
  • Tennis Instructor
  • First Team All-Conference
• Favorite Tennis Player: My favorite tennis player is Roger Federer because no matter what he never gives up. He has numerous knee surgeries and people have always doubted his comeback. He proved people wrong and showed others that he is willing to fight until he no longer can anymore and that is why he is my favorite player.
• Advice to Younger Players: Advice I would give to junior players is that you should soak in every moment in your junior tennis career because you never know when your last day of tennis could be. With high school tennis, my coaches always told me that it is going to fly by, and I never really believed them. But now that I am going to college, I get what they were saying. I took it for granted, all of the memories and friends that I made but I know I will keep in touch with them! Soak in every moment!

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Past Recipients

Here is the list of previous recipients:

• 2020
• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016