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Monday, November 5, 2001
For athlete, classes always come in first
Courtney Van Fleet says playing four sports pushes her to set a good example
By Sara Lee Fernandez
Caller-Times

Paul Iverson/Caller-Times

Courtney Van Fleet runs on the track team and plays volleyball, softball and basketball at Kaufer High School in Riviera, but she says her classes always come first. She is ranked third in her class, and she plans to go to Texas A&M in College Station to study poultry science.

   For Courtney Van Fleet, making good grades is just as important as making the winning shot or crossing the finish line first. Being an athlete gives her more of a reason to work on her grades, not less.
   "You have to set a good example," said the 17-year-old junior at Kaufer High School. "Just because you're an athlete doesn't give you an excuse to sit in the back of the class and not pay attention."
   As well as being a member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, track and softball teams, Courtney is ranked third out of 52 students and has a grade point average of 96.42. With her honors classes factored in she has a 101.206 grade point average.
   That's why she was named a Caller-Times/Channel 6 South Texas Distinguished Scholar in the student athlete category.
   Anita Garcia, a teacher at the school in Riviera, said Courtney's involvement in so many activities doesn't slow her down.
   "She's actively involved but her academics always comes first," Garcia said. "It doesn't affect her quality of work.
   "It's wonderful to have Courtney in my class. She is a hardworking student, a problem solver and conscientious," Garcia said.
   Courtney, the daughter of Annette and Jody Van Fleet of Kingsville, is planning to major in Poultry Science at Texas A&M University at College Station and later become a veterinarian. She is also a member of the National Honors Society, 4-H Club and FFA.
   While Courtney is a self-motivator, she credits her mother for always pushing her to work harder.
   "She's really mature for her age; it makes my job a lot easier," said Annette Van Fleet.
   "But I push her a lot to set her goals up high and do everything that she can. I tell her that if you don't make the grades, you don't get into college; if you don't get a good education, you won't ever get out of town."
   Van Fleet said she was an athlete in school and is glad that her daughter is into sports.
   "It opens doors to opportunities that you may not have had," Van Fleet said.
   "She grew up watching me. I went to school on a volleyball scholarship and maybe that will open up the doors for her."


Contact Sara Lee Fernandez at 886-3767 or fernandezs@caller.com

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