2018-2019 Winner – Amanda Hagino
Amanda Hagino has played tennis since age 4 and has always enjoyed playing, training and working hard to get better. She began playing USTA tournaments at age 8 and played varsity tennis for Hempfield High School all 4 years. She is not a traditional high school student and has attended cyber school since second grade. According to Amanda, “Being a member of the Hempfield girl’s team has been the most ’normal’ part of my high school experience. Being part of a team helped me open up and made me the person I am today.” Some of Amanda’s tennis accomplishments are:
- PennLive player of the year ‘17 & ’18
- Esmark All American Honors 2017
- 2-time District 3 AAA Singles Champ
- 2-time L-L League flight 1 AAA Singles Champ
- 4-time L-L League All Star
- 4-time L-L League Player of the Year
- 2017 Junior Team Tennis Sportsmanship Award.
Amanda also shines academically with a 3.9 GPA and member of the National Honor Society. In her spare time, you can find her on the court as a ball girl at the Koser Tournament and an instructor helping kids in Tennis Central programs. Since tennis has always been an important part of her life, she is looking forward to playing tennis at the University of Mary Washington College. “My goal is to be an important contributor to the team and succeed both on the court and in the classroom.”
Amanda’s essay reads:
Being a member of the Hempfield High School Girls’ tennis team has been the most “normal” part of my high school experience. I am not a traditional high school student and have attended cyber school since second grade. I was used to doing things on my own or with a small group of people, but being a part of the team helped me to open up and made me the person I am today. The team gave me a sense of belonging, having a group of girls working together while also having fun with everything they did. Very quickly it became less of a team and more like a family. Creating close bonds with those on my own team as well as meeting some amazing people from other teams as well. My high school season was the most exciting part of the year, and every time it ended I just wish we could start it all back from the beginning. Although I am a senior now and most people are ready to move on, graduate, and start the next chapter of their lives, I can’t say I feel the same. The team has given me so many great memories that I’ll cherish forever, but I just wish I could go back to freshman year and stay with these amazing girls a little while longer. The high school tennis team was the reason I will forever remember high school so fondly, which I will always be grateful for.
I have played tennis since I was about 4 years old. I have always enjoyed playing, training, and working hard to get better. Over the years, I have made sacrifices in order to achieve my goals. Tennis is an individual sport, however, there are a handful of opportunities to play on a team. When playing on a team, I believe in supporting and encouraging every teammate. Freshman year you learn to lead by example, but I quickly learned this wouldn’t be the case. Playing number one immediately gives you an underlying leadership role. I not only had to win matches for my team but also needed to represent everyone well and respectfully. No matter who you are playing on the court, no matter the skill set of the opponent, no matter the disputes during the match, they are still human beings and deserve to be treated kindly and respectfully. This is something that I have always tried to do no matter what. While opponents may not do the same, it has always been important for me to continue doing what I believe in. Throughout my four years on the high school tennis team, I can see the respect the players, parents, and teammates have for me. I’ve been commended for my beliefs and actions on court, and I never thought I was doing anything special or unique until people continually recognized and commented on it. I learned that this is something that should be applied to all walks of life and not just on the tennis court. From my perspective, it has always been a part of my personality and beliefs, but I learned that being on the high school tennis team enhanced my morals even farther.
Since tennis is and has always been an important part of my life, I am looking forward to playing tennis at the collegiate level. My goal is to be an important contributor to the tennis team in both singles and doubles play. Succeeding on and off the court as well as working together academically is important when you are all working towards the same goals. Being a part of the girls team will also give me a small group of people to associate with as soon as I arrive, and make the transition from cyber school much easier. Knowing other girls who have the same drive and dedication is just another benefit that comes with being a part of a competitive team. Although I do not know what my major will be, I’m excited to explore the options available to me. Personally I believe getting a step closer to my career is the most important part, and being involved with a competitive tennis team will only make the journey more enjoyable.
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This $3,000 scholarship was established to honor the memory of Dr. Jill E. Hungerford who died unexpectedly at age 34 in 1999. Jill was a 1983 graduate of Penn Manor High School where she was an honor student and varsity tennis player.
This award is to be used towards post-secondary educational expenses.