The ALTA Foundation is excited to introduce you to your 2022 L. Keith Wood Scholarship program recipients. Since the inception of the scholarship program six years ago, the foundation has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors who have participated in the ALTA junior programs. This year, a panel of six judges reviewed and scored applications received from more than 50 amazing, well-deserving applicants. Selection criteria was based on a balance of tennis play, scholastic achievement, community service, and essay responses. All recipients displayed a passion for the game of tennis and provided outstanding representation of the at-large community of ALTA.
While we wish we could award a scholarship to all applicants, these eight well-rounded individuals rose to the top and will receive a $2,500 scholarship toward their post-secondary education expenses.
Please join us in congratulating our 2022 scholarship winners and their families.
Jake Callahan
College Attending: University of Georgia
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Graduate of: Dunwoody High School
ALTA Home Facility: Vermack Swim & Tennis
Do you hope to study abroad? If so, where would you like to go and why? Yes. I would like to go to South America or Europe to experience other cultures and make connections.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? I can juggle.
Who is your favorite professional tennis player and why? Roger Federer. He’s the G.O.A.T. and is always classy.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Control what you can control and don’t worry about what you can’t.
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would It be? Pizza!
Cooper Davis
College Attending: Ohio University
Major: Sports Management
Graduate of: Centennial High School
ALTA Home Facility: Hartridge
Do you have a favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is the 4th of July. It’s my birthday.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? I can spin a basketball on my finger and alternate fingers, too.
If you could pick a superpower, what would it be and why? I’d be able to find anything. I lose my keys a lot, so this power would be super convenient.
Who’s your favorite professional tennis player and why? J.J. Wolf. I’m an Ohio State fan and he was really good for them.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” –Master Oogway, “Kung Fu Panda”
Preston Diller
College Attending: Auburn University
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Graduate of: Allatoona High School
ALTA Home Facility: Governors Towne Club
Do you hope to study abroad? If so, where would you like to go? Why? I’m planning to travel the world as an officer in the Navy after graduation.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? I can sleep anywhere and through anything.
What’s the last TV show you binge-watched? “The Boys,” Season 3
Other than tennis, what is your favorite sport or activity? I love watching the Braves and/or hanging out with my friends.
What movie or song title best describes your life? Life is a Highway
Jackson Gammon
College Attending: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Computer Science
Graduate of: North Paulding High School
ALTA Home Facility: Bentwater
A genie grants you three wishes. What are they?
- The ability to fly.
- The ability to eat whatever I want without consequences.
- An unreturnable serve.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? My fingers are double jointed and I can bend them in weird ways.
Who is your favorite professional tennis player and why? Reilly Opelka is my favorite player because he is tall. I’m not and I’m jealous.
Other than tennis, what is your favorite sport or activity? Playing the piano.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Lauren Khou
College Attending: University of Chicago
Major: Economics
Graduate of: Chattahoochee High School
ALTA Home Facility: Wellington
What’s the best vacation you ever had? I have two! I really enjoyed Shanghai as well as a memorable cruise to Cozumel with a giant group of family and friends.
Do you have a nickname? Actually, the opposite; people tend to call me Lauren Khou, instead of just Lauren.
What was the first thing you said you wanted to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.
If you could pick a superpower, what would it be and why? I think it would be super cool to be able to read minds. I’d win at poker with my friends every time!
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? You only live once.
Andrew Pietkiewicz
College Attending: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Chemical Engineering
Graduate of: Chamblee High School
ALTA Home Facility: Brittany Club
Do you speak any languages other than English? Yes. After studying it for eight years, I am nearly fluent in German.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? I am a human GPS. If I drive somewhere once, I automatically can memorize the directions.
What motivates you to work hard? Working hard gives me the purpose and fulfillment I crave. I know hard work will help me reach my ambitious goals.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? “Mind over Matter”
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pad Thai
Katherine Scott
College Attending: Texas Christian University
Major: Nursing
Graduate of: Wesleyan School
ALTA Home Facility: Dunwoody Country Club
A genie grants you three wishes. What are they?
- A happy life.
- A good career.
- Love everywhere.
What was the last TV show you binge-watched? “Grey’s Anatomy”
Other than tennis, what is your favorite sport or activity? I love to play pickleball.
What movie or song title best describes your life? American Dream
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? I always to try to “Live in the moment!”
Sydney Winters
College Attending: University of Georgia
Major: International Business and Finance
Graduate of: Lambert High School
ALTA Home Facility: Three Chimneys Farm
Do you hope to study abroad? If so, where would you go and why? I would love to study abroad. I’m minoring in Spanish and want to visit countries in either South America or Europe…like Spain. I want to experience life outside the U.S!
Do you have a favorite holiday? St. Patrick’s Day is my favorite because I was born in March.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? I like to crochet clothes!
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” –Ricky Bobby, “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby”
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would that be? S’mores!
