Aiming High
Girls Basketball Captain Receives Scholarship
January 27, 2020
When the buzzer rang, Nixon shooting drills occurring in the competition gym stopped. Coach Ott entered and less than two minutes later, an ambush of people flooded the gym on Jan. 23.
One of them was Jeff Jones, sports anchor for KVUE. Following him was lead lawyer at Lorenz & Lorenz, Ted Lorenz, holding a giant check granting senior varsity basketball captain, Takara Holst, a $1,000 scholarship as part of the KVUE Scholar Athlete of the Month program.
“I was in complete shock,” Takara said. “The fact that not only KVUE, but also Ted Lorenz himself came to grant me the scholarship was just amazing.”
Teammates surrounded her and began to cheer as Lorenz handed Holst the check. Smiles were present in the gym as Jones began to interview her.
“I was so surprised when they started asking me questions,” Takara said. “I just said the first thing on my mind. Jokingly, I asked my dad once it was all over if what I said made sense in the interview because it took a minute to calm down.”
Takara’s parents were notified of the scholarship only a few days prior of the reveal, but her father, Joel Holst, said that it was very difficult to keep it a secret.
“My wife accidentally forwarded an email to Takara from one of the scout leaders who congratulated her for the award,” Holst said. “We quickly had to snatch her phone and delete the email before she read it.”
To have a chance at becoming the Scholar Athlete of the Month, candidates must be a senior in high school playing a varsity sport, have at least a 3.0 GPA, partake in an activity that gives back to their community and be nominated through KVUE’s website.
Past recipients have been nominated by one or two people, but Takara had several nominations, according to Jones, including multiple family friends, teachers, coaches and Scout leaders.
“I have nothing but thanks and appreciation for everyone who took the time to nominate me for this scholarship,” Takara said. “It truly feels amazing.”
Holst and the varsity girls basketball team are currently ranked tenth in the state and with a record of 25-3.