She’s Almost as Modest As She Is Talented
Shelby Anderson
• School: Trinity • Grade: 12th • Sport: Volleyball, softball • Academics: Shelby has a 3.742 grade-point average, is a talented artist and avid reader, and won a Presidential Scholarship from Asbury University.
• Parents: Sandy & Ron
Shelby Anderson, a senior at Trinity, is a top student, an all-star on the volleyball and softball teams, an avid reader, a budding musician and a talented artist – but don’t expect her to say any of that.
Modesty and generosity of spirit are also two of her strong points.
When asked to name her proudest academic accomplishment, she deflected attention from herself, saying, “Our senior class really bonded and it was fun to get close to everyone.”
Same thing when asked about her high point in athletics. “We had a young team and I enjoyed helping out the younger players,” she said about the volleyball team.
No wonder teachers and staff at Trinity nominated Shelby for the Scholar-Athlete award.
Shelby has a 3.742 grade-point average with a course load that includes calculus, anatomy, rhetoric and apologetics, a required class at Trinity that empowers students to debate those who challenge Christianity.
“This is a really interesting class,” Shelby said. “I enjoy learning about other world views.”
Shelby has made her views known in rhetoric class, which requires students to write a thesis and defend it to a panel of local experts in that field.
As a junior, she explored Title IX, the 40-year-old education law that mandates equal opportunity in athletics for males and females.
This year, her thesis addresses the media’s influence on the incidence of eating disorders in women. Her bibliography includes “The Lolita Effect,” “The Body Myth” and “When Food’s a Foe.”
Shelby still finds time for recreational reading, whipping through a few John Grisham books during the holidays.
In the arts, she gave piano recitals when she was younger and is now learning guitar. She has been an avid painter for years, working mostly in oils, and is working in sculpture this year at school.
In sports, Shelby was all-state and MVP of the volleyball team and has committed to play at Asbury University.
She led Trinity in seven of nine categories and, amazingly, as a 5-foot-7 setter with 105 service aces, she was the team leader in blocks. No wonder she played every minute of every match.
As a sophomore pitcher, she was all-state and led Trinity to a 9-6 record last year – the first winning season in school history.
“She’s very competitive but loves her relationships with her teammates and being part of a team,” said her father Ron, who coaches her in softball. “Just like in the classroom, she’s a hard worker and puts in the effort.”
Obviously, the effort is paying off.
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