The South Carolina Tennis Patrons Foundation has announced the presentation of scholarships to 4 incoming college freshmen. The scholarships are $2,000 for the freshman year only. SCTPF began the program in 1993 with two scholarships, and has since been expanded to four. Each scholarship is named in honor or memory of someone. The 2022 recipients are:
- Richard Hewitt will attend Clemson-Foster Family Scholarship
- Zana Norton will attend Alabama-Jim Russell Scholarship
- Joseph Truluck will attend Notre Dame-Randall G. Heffron, D.M.D. Memorial Scholarship
- Lily Zimmermann will attend Miami-Lucy Garvin Scholarship
Selection criteria includes academics, extracurricular activities, character and sportsmanship, tennis accomplishments and an essay on “Tennis and My Life.”
Hewitt was a leader and well round student at A. C. Flora in Columbia where he played football and tennis. He was captain of his tennis team and went 24-0 his junior year at #2 singles when they won the State AAAA Championship. He served on the USTA South Carolina Junior Player Committee and taught younger kids on the weekend. His essay ended with these words: “The dedication I obtained through tennis will help me achieve and exceed any goals or requirements I have (or am) given. My competitive attitude will drive me to be the best I can possibly be. Tennis has helped me for years on and off the court, and I will be forever grateful for the way the game has shaped me.”
Norton was a nationally ranked junior player prior to a severe wrist injury in 2019 that never healed. She played tennis her senior season at Riverside High School in Greer where she became the team leader, an All-Region and All-State player, and a finalist in the State High School Individual Tournament. During this time she began teaching children at her local tennis club. Zana said: “I found peace teaching the next generation of tennis players. Tennis has taught me lessons about teamwork, mental strength, and dedication. These skills are not only useful on the court, but in my relationships, hardships, academics, and beyond. For that reason, tennis has changed my life.”
Truluck graduated at the top of his class at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Myrtle Beach where he played #1 singles and doubles 3 years and was the Region Player of the Year. He served as President of the National Honor Society and held numerous other leadership positions Joseph plans to become a doctor and said: “As I grow, more responsibilities fall on my shoulders. Tennis taught me that instead of getting frustrated, I need to work through my stresses. I need to study and work daily to become successful, and tennis has shown me that through hard work and composure, I can achieve my dreams.”
Zimmermann finished in the top 1% of her class of almost 1,000 students at Wando in Mount Pleasant, and also plans to study pre-med. She was an All-Region player who led her team to the state finals in 2018 and the state semifinals in 2019, 2020 and 2021. She was a volunteer middle school coach the past 4 years. Lily said in her essay: “Coaching tennis has probably been more rewarding for me than for the middle schoolers. I have learned how to be a leader and a listener, as well as the importance of setting a good example. Tennis has given me an outlet to give back to my community and be a role model for young athletes.”