Meet the 2023 L. Keith Wood Scholarship Winners
By Rita Maloof, ALTA Foundation President
One of the premier initiatives of ALTA Foundation is its L. Keith Wood Scholarship program. Since its inception seven years ago, more than $145,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to graduating high school students who have participated in either ALTA junior programs or programs sponsored by the ALTA Foundation.
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 nine, well-rounded individuals rose to the top and received a $2,500 award toward their post-secondary education expenses. As an added perk, our winners were treated to a day of tennis and recognized on center court for their accomplishments at this year’s Atlanta Open on ALTA Day.
Please join us in congratulating our 2023 scholarship winners and their families.
Asha Ahn, Atlanta, GA
ALTA Facility: Dekalb Tennis Center
Graduate of: The Paideia School
Attending: Barnard College of Columbia University
What’s one thing you want to do your first week at college? Travel throughout New York City.
Rollercoasters: love or hate them? Love!
Favorite holiday? Halloween
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? At a publishing company.
What was the last TV show you binge-watched? “The Bear”
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza
Sofia Arboleda, Decatur, GA
ALTA Facility: Dekalb Tennis Center
Graduate of: St. Pius X Catholic High School
Attending: University of Georgia
A genie grants you three wishes – what are they? 1) Meet Taylor Swift. 2) Go to all the Disney parks in the world with my family and grandparents. 3) Go to all the tennis Grand Slams.
If you could pick a superpower, what would it be and why? Flying. I love to visit new places, and flying seems like a really fun way to transport yourself.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Live in the moment.
Ami Dodd-Mungin, Atlanta, GA
ALTA Facility: Briscoe Park
Graduate of: Atlanta Girls School
Attending: Spelman College
What is the best vacation you ever had? My favorite vacation was when my family traveled to France and Italy for Thanksgiving in 2019. The sights were amazing, and the food was so delicious. I had wanted to visit there, so it was a dream come true to walk the streets of Rome.
What was the first thing you said you wanted to be when you grew up? An astronaut. I’m still reaching for the stars now.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about you? I can sing.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself earning my Ph.D. in psychology and starting my own practice to offer therapeutic services to those in need.
If you could travel back in time to any place, where would you go and why? I would travel back in time to talk to my dad and tell him about all the things I have done since he passed away.
Samantha Fraser, Buford, GA
ALTA Wheelchair Facility: Hudlow Tennis Center
Graduate of: North Gwinnett High School
Attending: University of Arizona
A genie grants you three wishes – what are they? 1) Travel the world. 2) Help more kids get into adaptive sports. 3) Be rich.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, as a member of the U.S. Wheelchair Basketball team.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? In order to be your true self, you first have to accept yourself.
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chicken Alfredo
Sahana Parekh, Duluth, GA
ALTA Facility: Bunten Road Park
Graduate of: Paul Duke STEM High School
Attending: Emory University
Do you hope to study abroad? If so, where would you like to go and why? Yes, I would love to go to Milan and study the fashion business.
Do you collect anything? What, why, and/or for how long? I collect medallions from each national park I’ve visited. I’ve been collecting for about six years, and it helps me remember the trip.
Do you have a favorite type of music, and do you have a favorite band or singer? Indie pop and Shawn Mendes
If you could travel in time to any place, where and when would you go and why? I’d go back to the beginning of high school and do more of the things I love and study less.
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Palak Paneer (an Indian dish).
Samantha Ruder, Roswell, GA
ALTA Facility: Horseshoe Bend Country Club
Graduate of: Centennial High School
Attending: University of Tennessee
Rollercoasters – love or hate them? LOVE!
What was the first thig you said you wanted to be when you grew up? A veterinarian.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Owning my own vet clinic.
What was the last TV show you binge-watched? “Grey’s Anatomy”
Who is your favorite professional tennis player and why? Coco Gauff. She’s made it so far; she’s so young, and she’s inspiring.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Enjoy the little things — they make the biggest memories.
Caroline Scott, Dunwoody, GA
ALTA Facility: Dunwoody Country Club
Graduate of: Wesleyan School
Attending: University of Georgia
A Genie grants you three wishes – what are they? 1) Ability to fly. 2) Have unlimited money. 3) Be able to control the weather.
What was the first thing you said you wanted to be when you grew up? A doctor.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, out of med school and working in a hospital.
Is there a celebrity you would like to hang out with for an afternoon and what would you do? I’d love to go on a shopping spree with Taylor Swift.
What movie or song title best describes your life? “Sweet Caroline”
Avery Sisson, Canton, GA
ALTA Facility: Woodmont Golf and Country Club
Graduate of: Creekview High School
Attending: Georgia Institute of Technology
Do you hope to study abroad? If so, where would you like to go and why? Yes. I’d like to go to France and practice my French.
Beach or mountains? Beach!
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about? I’m a former gymnast.
Who is your favorite tennis professional and why? Roger Federer. He’s an amazing tennis player and a great guy.
What is your favorite type of music, and do you have a favorite band or singer? Fleetwood Mac and Taylor Swift
Michael Thomas, Suwanee, GA
ALTA Facility: Grand Cascades
Graduate of: Blessed Trinity Catholic High School
Attending: Georgia Institute of Technology
What was the best vacation you ever had? Going to Kanab, Utah and visiting the national parks in southern Utah and Arizona.
What talent do you have that most people don’t know about you? I have a really good memory.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, working as an engineer on a project that can change the world.
If you could pick a superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation. I could go anywhere anytime. I’d get to skip Atlanta traffic.
Is there a celebrity you would like to hang out with and what would you do? I’d hang out with the Rock (Dwayne Johnson). We’d go to a pro tennis match and then go to the gym.
Do you live by any piece of advice or motto? Losers quit when they get tired. Winners quit when they win.
