Kelly Capone, a senior on the Fox Chapel High School girls’ tennis team, has been selected as the winner of the Western Pennsylvania Hines Ward Positive Athlete Award for girls’ tennis.
The Positive Athlete Award is issued to high character athletes who are role models and promote a positive spirit. Some of the attributes the Positive Athlete review committee looks for are student athletes with optimistic attitudes, those who admit their imperfections, young athletes who encourage their teammates, players who always put their team first, and individuals who give 100% effort no matter what the scoreboard says.
“Even though Kelly has faced some difficult challenges, she always has maintained an attitude that has inspired the team and coaches,” says Alex Slezak, Fox Chapel High School’s varsity tennis coach. “Her passion for the sport and her positive outlook on everything, not just tennis, make her really special.”
Kelly, along with representatives from 26 different sports, will be honored at an awards ceremony Saturday, April 20 at the Heinz History Center-Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. More than 450 nominations were received from over 100 high schools throughout the area.