The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF) announced the establishment of the Mildred F. Southern Academic Excellence Award for two of the foundation’s annual college scholarships.
Elizabethtown's Anastasia Newsome was one of the two inaugural award recipients. "I was elated when I found out about the award" she says.
Because of COVID-19 her senior year at Elizabethtown High School has been very different than she expected, concluding with a virtual graduation. Each senior was filmed walking across the stage to receive their diploma, and then all videos were compiled to share as one virtual graduation ceremony. She did enjoy her transition to online classes and felt that this experience has helped to prepare her for independent study at the University of Louisville where she plans to attend in the fall.
Anastasia began playing varsity level tennis for Elizabethtown High School in 5th grade while maintaining academic excellence. In college, she plans to major in Biology and begin the pre-med track. While she will focus on her studies, she would like to participate in a walk on tryout for the UofL women's tennis team. She has also been in contact with their Club Team.
Anastasia has determination and will accomplish all her endeavors. Proof of this was evident when she participated in a 26-hour marathon. She ran 1 mile every hour for 26 straight hours.
The Southern Tennis foundation awards 10 annual $1,000 scholarships to incoming college freshmen. The STF’s scholarship committee determined which two recipients were awarded the academic excellence awards which was named after a former USTA Southern and North Carolina President.