Congratulations to the 2016 Educational Scholarship Winners!
The Mississippi Tennis Association is proud to announce that the recipients of the 2016 educational scholarships are Amanda Kilduff of Ocean Springs and James David (Trey) Randall, III of Madison. Now in its sixteenth year, the program awards scholarships each year to a deserving young man and woman based on their accomplishments in the classroom, on the tennis court, and in the community.
Amanda Kilduff is the daughter of Julie and William Kilduff. She is a member of the 2016 graduating class. Amanda is the 2016 Wendy’s High School Heisman winner for the state of Mississippi. This active student has also been the president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, a member of the Ocean Springs Band, and a member of the high school homecoming court and the high school tennis team. Her community service activities include volunteering at the Humane Society and the Food Pantry as well as being actively involved in the youth activities of her church. Amanda began taking tennis lessons at Treasure Oak Country Club at a young age and participated in Junior Team Tennis and played in tournaments on both the state and sectional level. She has won three high school state titles and, as captain, helped lead her team to their sixth consecutive state championship. Her current state USTA ranking is #4 in the Girls 18s. Her future plans are to attend Samford University in the fall, seeking a degree in nursing, which she hopes to incorporate into the mission work she dreams of doing. She plans to play tennis while at Samford, so maybe she will be able to work her love of tennis into her mission work as well.
Trey is the son of Leigh Ann and Dave Randall of Madison. He will graduate from Madison Central High School in the class of 2016. Most of his school and community activities have involved his church youth group and his high school tennis team. He has been on mission trips to Haiti, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles with his church and participated in Super Summer camps at Mississippi College for several years. After starting tennis at an early age, Trey decided he didn’t want to play tennis anymore, so he took a four year vacation. When he decided to play again, he had to basically “start over” with building his skills. He is currently ranked #12 in the Mississippi Boys 18s. With his good work ethic and determination, he became a “go-to guy” for his coach. He played any position Coach Boteler asked him to play without complaint. As a side note, Madison Central won the MHSSA 6A team championship for 2016, and Trey and his partner Walker Ellis clinched the win when they prevailed in their doubles match. Trey plans to attend Mississippi College in the fall and hopes to walk-on for the MC tennis team. He is undecided about what his career plans will be, but if he applies the same attitude and attributes that have made him a successful tennis player, there is no doubt that he will do well.
