Andis earns Academic All-State honors

Kelsey Andis [Order this photo]

Linton-Stockton senior Kelsey Andis was selected to the Academic All-State Volleyball Team by the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association.

Andis was inducted into the National Honor Society and also is a member of the Academic Honors Club and is ranked No. 1 in her senior class with a GPA of 3.985, according to Linton-Stockton volleyball coach Jill Fougerousse.

"I have had the privilege of coaching Kelsey and watch her play a key role for the Lady Miner volleyball program with her tenacious defense," Fougerousse said in her nomination letter to the ICGSA. "More importantly, Kelsey is a team player and always does what is asked of her to the best of her ability.

"She is a disciplined young woman who is dedicated to anything and everything she involves herself. Many times I have seen young women athletes allow the fear of making mistakes to affect their effort. Kelsey is an inspiration to others because she has learned to take her mistakes, ask the appropriate questions and challenge herself to do better."

Fougerousse said she admires Andis' ability to balance many commitments, including being a member of the track team and Miner Dance Team and Choir.

She added that Andis often sang the National Anthem prior to home volleyball matches.

"It is evident that Kelsey is an outstanding student and athlete, but above all she is an honest and caring person. She has been the peace keeper and the voice of reason and wisdom with our young volleyball team," said Fougerousse. "Kelsey, who is very well liked by her peers, has also contributed to her community in a variety of ways. Through her church youth group, Kelsey has made food baskets for Head Start families.

"For four years, she has volunteered as a "bell ringer" to collect money for Toys for Tots and participated in building homes and a shed with Habitat for Humanity. She has worked with the Student Leadership Academy raising money to help purchase bicycles for less fortunate kids. Most recently with the volleyball team, she volunteered preparing and serving meals to youth in the community who otherwise might have not had a warm meal."

She is the daughter of Tom and Lisa Andis.

"They have done an outstanding job of instilling in their daughter self respect, morals and values, and the importance of friends, family and God in her life," Fougerousse said of her parents.

"She stands apart from the crowd in that she doesn't always choose to do the "cool thing." Kelsey makes choices based on what she knows is healthy and will enhance her life. She is a perfect example of why I love coaching volleyball. Coaching young women like Kelsey is a reward in itself."

Fougerousse add that her coaching philosophy states that she believes people are influenced for a lifetime by those they associate with. "I have an 11-year old daughter and I purposefully put her in Kelsey's path each and every day possible."