By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A star on Thompson High School’s golf team will be continuing her athletic and academic career at one of the fastest-rising collegiate golf programs in the state, after she signed a scholarship offer with Jefferson State Community College.

Elly Truxal signed the scholarship while surrounded by family members, friends, coaches, teammates and school administrators during a Jan. 24 ceremony in the school’s cafeteria.

“This is a wonderful day for Elly and her family and for (her teammates) too, because this is something very special to celebrate,” said THS Principal Dr. Wesley Hester. “I just want to congratulate Elly for a job well done and for all this hard work and talent she has, and for the type of student she is and the type of person she is. She has her priorities straight, and she handles herself so very well. She has a great attitude, is a great leader and a great student. We’re very excited for her and very happy for her.”

THS head girls’ golf coach Beverly Musial said Truxal is an example of what can be accomplished through hard work on and off the golf course.

“This is what hard work looks like. She gets to go to college and study what she wants to study and do what she loves to do,” Musial said while Truxal’s teammates looked on. “We’re very proud of her and the work she’s put in and the way she handles herself. This is the first year I’ve had the privilege of having her in the classroom, and she works just as hard or harder in the classroom. That’s what we want here at Thompson, and that’s what we want in the world today. We congratulate Elly.”

Jeff State women’s golf coach Wendy Shuffett said the program began a few years ago, and has quickly developed into one of the top teams in its division.

“I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity, Mrs. Shuffett for this opportunity to play golf and Coach Musial for coaching me these past three years,” Truxal said.