Southern Tennis Foundation awards 10 college scholarships
The Southern Tennis Foundation (STF), the charitable affiliate of United States Tennis Association Southern Section, announces the awarding of 2024 college scholarships.
Three students are linked to the USTA’s National Junior Tennis and Learning program (NJTL): Maasiai Sales, of Atlanta; Emmory Simmons, of Little Rock, Ark. and Nyla Warner, of Lawrenceville, Ga. The NJTL network features more than 250 nonprofit youth development organizations that offer free or low-cost tennis and education programming to over 150,000 under-resourced youth each year.
All scholarships are named for prominent Southern players, coaches and volunteer leaders.
Left to right, top row: Allayna Barnett, Jonathan Bickford, Leo Nedkov, Kathleen Rohr, Valeria Rojas. Bottom row: Zander Russell, Maasiai Sales, Emmory Simmons, Nyla Warner, Lauren Wilder.
STF Director, Development & Operations Jaime Kaplan said, “At the heart of our mission lies a deep-rooted desire to nurture dreams and unlock possibilities. We hope these scholarships help pave a successful future for these young men and women as they continue their education.”
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. To qualify for these scholarships students must demonstrate financial need and must have participated in tennis for 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. The primary consideration in awarding the scholarships will be academic performance and financial need, but community service and sportsmanship will also be considered. Here is the link to apply.
Recipients are included in the attached photo going in alpha order from top left to bottom right.
Allayna Barnett - Brookhaven, Miss.
High School: Enterprise Attendance Center
Honors and Activities
- Class Vice President
- Beta Club
- Student Council
- Yearbook Editor
- Varsity Tennis Captain
College: Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Major Area of Study: Elementary Education
Name of Scholarship: Julie Ditty Qualls Scholarship
Jonathan Bickford - Hammond, La.
High School: Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Honors and Activities
- National Honor Society
- Spanish National Honor Society
- Beta Club
- All State Academic: Tennis, Soccer & Golf
- HIS Kids Volunteer
College: Louisiana State University
Major Area of Study: Electrical Engineering
Name of Scholarship: Mike McNulty Scholarship
Leo Nedkov - Bluffton, S.C.
High School: Hilton Head Island High School
Honors and Activities
- Special Olympics Volunteer
- Musical Productions (Beauty & the Beast, Nutcracker)
- Sportsmanship Award
- Outside Foundation Volunteer
- Varsity Tennis Captain
College: Berry College
Major Area of Study: Kinesiology
Name of Scholarship: PTR Foundation/Van Der Meer Scholarship
Kathleen Rohr - Cookeville, Tenn.
High School: Cookeville High School
Honors and Activities
- Senior Class President
- National Honor Society Secretary
- Health Occupations Students of America
- Habitat for Humanity Officer
- Varsity Tennis Captain
College: University of Tennessee
Major Area of Study: Political Science, Pre-law Track
Name of Scholarship: Todd Crawford Memorial Scholarship
Valeria Rojas - Gautier, Miss.
High School: Gautier High School
Honors and Activities
- National Honor Society
- Beta Club
- Key Club
- Trunk or Treat
- Varsity Tennis Captain
College: Mississippi State University
Major Area of Study: Molecular Biology
Name of Scholarship: Jeff Gray Scholarship
Zander Russell - Sparta, N.C.
High School: Alleghany High School
Honors and Activities
- Student Government Association President
- National Beta Club Secretary
- Spanish Club
- Future Farmers of America
- Read Across America Volunteer
College: Duke University
Major Area of Study: Biology
Name of Scholarship: J.L. Stacks Scholarship
Maasiai Sales - Atlanta
High School: Healing Water Homeschooled Network
NJTL Affiliation: South Atlanta Community Tennis Association
Honors and Activities
- USTA Foundation NJTL Essay Contest Section Winner
- USTA Team Eubanks Excellence Program
- 18U JTT City Champion 2023
- 18U JTT City Champion 2024
- USTA Junior Tournament Player
College: Marion Military Institute, Ala.
Major Area of Study: Undecided
Name of Scholarship: Jim Warren Scholarship
Emmory Simmons - Little Rock, Ark.
High School: Parkview High School
NJTL Affiliation: Small is the New Big
Honors and Activities
- Beta Club
- National Honor Society
- Student Council
- Baseline Tennis Center Camp Volunteer
- Tennis Team Captain & State Champion
College: Grambling State University
Major Area of Study: Nursing
Name of Scholarship: Mike McNulty Scholarship
Nyla Warner - Lawrenceville, Ga.
High School: Greater Atlanta Christian School
NJTL Affiliation: Coach Wink’s NJTL
Honors and Activities
- National Honor Society
- Beta Club member
- Nyla and Christinas Health Corporation Cofounder
- USTA Foundation NJTL State Essay Contest Winner
- Varsity Tennis
College: Savanah State University
Major Area of Study: Mass Communication
Name of Scholarship: Mildred F. Southern Scholarship
Lauren Wilder - Greenville, S.C.
High School: Mauldin High School
Honors and Activities
- Beta Club
- French National Honors Society
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Varsity Tennis Captain
- Harvest Hope Food Bank Volunteer
College: Samford University
Major Area of Study: Health Science
Name of Scholarship: J.L. Stacks Scholarship
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