Renee Harper is now a tennis player at Oak Hills High School, but before her time here at Oak Hills, her experience in tennis was already extensive. To balance academics, a social life, and her impressive tennis career, she had to change her lifestyle and learn to develop unique skills. Taking some of her advice and following her lead can help other student-athletes to succeed in their sport.

Renee Harper has been playing tennis for about 9 years, so she isn’t nearly new to the sport. Her favorite experience that she’s been able to be a part of in her tennis career is “going to Orlando for Nationals the past three years.” Harper got there from her hard work and dedication, but tennis has given her more than talent. Harper also reports that she’s met “a lot of friends” and developed useful “problem-solving skills” while playing her sport. These are some important aspects of life that non-athletes may miss out on. However, tennis hasn’t always been the sport for her. Before tennis, she “tried soccer, basketball, and all that,” but tennis was the only sport she ever felt comfortable with. Within the population of student non-athletes at Oak Hills, some of those students may have just had trouble finding the sport that they connect with.

When asked if Harper has considered dropping out of tennis, she swiftly answered, “Many times.” Her answer was followed by a bit of a giggle, because seeing where she is now, it’s hard to believe she ever wanted to leave the sport. Harper says that right now she’s “in a good spot,” but there have been times that she’s had to work through it with her coach to get to this point. Harper was asked to give some advice to students who have the same mindset as she used to when it comes to leaving their sport. She wants them to know that “there are tough times but there’s also brighter times ahead of you.” Junior tennis player Brooke Lint has played tennis with Harper for their “whole lives.” She admits that she has similar experiences to Harper regarding the difficulty of keeping a sport. She has had “many late nights” trying to complete schoolwork after practices, but to her, it’s all worth it. Even after the stress that tennis has put her under during certain circumstances, “tennis is her freedom,” which continues to be one of her top priorities. 

Students considering starting a new sport in high school or continuing their old sport can learn from Harper and Lint. As long as the effort is put into maintaining a good academic standing and active social life, sports can be a happy place. Finding a sport that interests you and sticking with it, as Lint and Harper have done since elementary school, can give you a passion for it and even allow you to continue your success in the future. Taking inspiration from students like Lint and Harper can come as encouragement to help students achieve their dreams in sports.