By Mallory Burdette, '13, women's tennis
My name is Mallory Burdette, and I am the recipient of the Curly Neal Athletic Scholarship. I am currently a junior majoring in psychology and a proud member of the Stanford women’s tennis team. I am very thankful for my scholarship, which has allowed me to fulfill my dreams athletically and academically by attending Stanford University.
As the youngest of four children, I grew up in the small town of Jackson, Georgia. All three of my older siblings played tennis, and I continued on in the family tradition as soon as I was strong enough to wield a tennis racket. My older brother Andy played tennis at West Point and both of my older sisters, Erin Burdette, ’05, and Lindsay Burdette, '10, had the privilege of attending Stanford University and playing on the women’s tennis team. As a wide-eyed 10-year-old, I watched my sister Erin clinch the 2002 national championship here at the Taube Tennis Stadium, and from then on, I was drawn to Stanford’s amazing tennis program. It was not until I came on my official visit several years later in September 2008 that I realized this great university had so much more to offer than just great sports programs. After getting to know other Stanford students, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the very unique and highly intelligent group of people that attend this great university. Most importantly, I knew that if I came to Stanford I would be pushed to excel by my peers, both in the classroom and on the court.
I have always been drawn to the field of psychology, and I automatically gravitated towards the major when I came to Stanford. Ultimately, I want to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist. Throughout my time here at Stanford I have enjoyed learning about the development of children, and I hope to work with children and teenagers as a psychiatrist. I am also planning to minor in sociology, as I have really enjoyed classes in that department as well. Even though I am now in my junior year, I have not lost my excitement for attending classes and learning in this amazing environment. From the top-notch professors to my exceptional classmates, I feel very fortunate to attend this great university!
As a co-captain on the tennis team this year, I am very excited about our season and hope we can keep building to contend for an NCAA title. It has been a lot of work, but truly an honor to be able to step up and take a leadership role on the team this year. Over the past two years, as an underclassman, I have learned how to be an effective leader from my older teammates. The opportunity to play on the team with my older sister Lindsay, who was a captain during my freshman year, was when I learned the most about how to be a great captain. I am proud to continue the family tradition of attending Stanford University, and I am grateful to the individuals who funded my scholarship for allowing me to make the most of the amazing experience that is Stanford.
By Mallory Burdette, '13, women's tennis May 4, 2012, 2:11 pm
Photo credit: Don Feria
My name is Mallory Burdette, and I am the recipient of the Curly Neal Athletic Scholarship. I am currently a junior majoring in psychology and a proud member of the Stanford women’s tennis team. I am very thankful for my scholarship, which has allowed me to fulfill my dreams athletically and academically by attending Stanford University.
As the youngest of four children, I grew up in the small town of Jackson, Georgia. All three of my older siblings played tennis, and I continued on in the family tradition as soon as I was strong enough to wield a tennis racket. My older brother Andy played tennis at West Point and both of my older sisters, Erin Burdette, ’05, and Lindsay Burdette, '10, had the privilege of attending Stanford University and playing on the women’s tennis team. As a wide-eyed 10-year-old, I watched my sister Erin clinch the 2002 national championship here at the Taube Tennis Stadium, and from then on, I was drawn to Stanford’s amazing tennis program. It was not until I came on my official visit several years later in September 2008 that I realized this great university had so much more to offer than just great sports programs. After getting to know other Stanford students, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the very unique and highly intelligent group of people that attend this great university. Most importantly, I knew that if I came to Stanford I would be pushed to excel by my peers, both in the classroom and on the court.
I have always been drawn to the field of psychology, and I automatically gravitated towards the major when I came to Stanford. Ultimately, I want to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist. Throughout my time here at Stanford I have enjoyed learning about the development of children, and I hope to work with children and teenagers as a psychiatrist. I am also planning to minor in sociology, as I have really enjoyed classes in that department as well. Even though I am now in my junior year, I have not lost my excitement for attending classes and learning in this amazing environment. From the top-notch professors to my exceptional classmates, I feel very fortunate to attend this great university!
As a co-captain on the tennis team this year, I am very excited about our season and hope we can keep building to contend for an NCAA title. It has been a lot of work, but truly an honor to be able to step up and take a leadership role on the team this year. Over the past two years, as an underclassman, I have learned how to be an effective leader from my older teammates. The opportunity to play on the team with my older sister Lindsay, who was a captain during my freshman year, was when I learned the most about how to be a great captain. I am proud to continue the family tradition of attending Stanford University, and I am grateful to the individuals who funded my scholarship for allowing me to make the most of the amazing experience that is Stanford.