Daniel Tyler Gooden

Young taking high aim

ST JAMES – St. James High School senior Tondra Young is headed to the Junior Olympics to play some volleyball. Captain of the volleyball team at St. James High, Young has accomplished much since she first began to play the game less than four years ago during her freshman year.

Young, daughter of Nathaniel and Debra Young, had wanted to play volleyball since the eighth grade, and during high school she got that chance and ran with it. She worked hard at the sport, becoming a more and more seasoned and skilled player, averaging around 12 kills per game.

Meanwhile, Young also worked hard at her studies. With an A-plus grade average, Young is a member of the Beta, 4-H, S.A.D.D. and science clubs.

By her senior year Young worked hard enough at volleyball to become captain of the team. The same year she was chosen to enter the ranks of the 2001 Amateur Athletic Union volleyball program. The organization called Young and asked her to join the River Parish Junior Olympic volleyball team. The team will be competing against other river parish schools for the chance to win the Delta Region and play at the Junior Nationals in Salt Lake City.

Though practice hasn’t started yet, Young is excited for the chance to compete on the team.

After the season and school is over, Young will be setting her sights on college. Although she has yet to pick out a school, she does know it will be close to home. She’s looking forward to moving onto college and plans to major in physical therapy.