News 3 Sports would like to congratulate our latest Classroom Champion, Ashley Atkins. The Rudder High School senior has a 4.5 GPA and is currently the salutatorian of her class.

Avery is the captain of the volleyball and soccer team. She was also a four-year letterman and the Most Valuable Player in both sports. Ashley was selected 1st Team All District, Newcomer of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year in soccer. She also received Academic All-District and Academic All Brazos Valley awards. Ashley is also a member of the National Honor Society, FCA, her church youth group, and the Brazos Valley Juniors Volleyball Club as well. In school, Ashley was the Most Outstanding Student in Biology, Spanish, Chemistry, and Restaurant Management.

'You would actually never know that Ashley has late nights, when it comes to playing sports and being gone out of town and things like that. She has everything done that she needs to be done. If she knows she's going to be gone ahead of time, she'll come to you and plan out what it is she's going to miss, and makeup work and things like that. She just handles it very smoothly to the point that you wouldn't even know she was as busy as she is.'

'It's been just a joy having her on the team. This is year four that she's been her. And just from her freshman year from the moment she got here you could tell she was special. What's so unique about Ashley, she's so gifted, she so blessed with athletic ability. But she also has the work ethic like no one else I know. So that fact that you're that gifted an willing to work that hard…That's a great combination to have on your team.'

'Sometimes I can be pretty loud in my leadership. I'm pretty vocal, but I try to lead by example too. I try to do the right thing; like pick up the balls, help with not just the practice but show everybody else what you should be doing. Not just in soccer, in volleyball, but around school...Just being a positive person, good morals, and being a good example.
After high school, Ashley plans on going to college to one day become a physical therapist.'

Congratulations to Ashley Atkins of Rudder High School. This week's News 3 Sports Classroom Champion!