AUBURNDALE, FL - Auburndale High volleyball player Renee Donn defines herself through her work ethic.

“Hard work. Nothing is easy. My mom taught me that,” said Donn.

The senior’s drive for success in athletics and in the classroom is a direct result to live out a dream set forth by mom and dad.

My parents are from Haiti,” said Donn. “They don’t have a lot of high school experience. So I take advantage of the opportunities that I have here and I make sure I get good grades.”

One opportunity Renee took advantage of was learning a new sport in middle school: Volleyball.

“I didn’t know volleyball was for me until I actually tried it,” said Donn. “My friend, she told me to try it and I made the team. I wasn’t good but I put the hard work into it.”

Renee’s passion to get better each day on the volleyball court has turned her into one of the best players on her high school team. It’s also become her favorite sport.

“I love the intensity of just smacking the ball,” said Don. “Working with my team; being positive.”

Renee is a coach’s dream – serving as a role model for younger athletes in both athletics and academics.  

“She is person who I would definitely give as an example of ‘hey this player worked at it, it wasn’t easy and it wasn’t given to her,” said Auburndale head coach Kayle Mullenix. “She had to go after it and chase it’ and she is a really good example of that.”

“She is the ideal student-athlete here at A-H-S,” said Auburndale Athletic Director Pam Lancaster. “She’s in the top-20 in her class and she plays three sports: volleyball, basketball, and track.”

Renee will always be an athlete at heart. That’s why she intends to be around athletes in her career.

“I’m planning on doing sports medicine at Howard University - Working in hospitals with athletes all the way around,” said Donn. “I love athletes, I love sports, and if I can work with that field I’ll be happy.”

To help Renee in her pursuit of her future ambitions, Spectrum News has given her a $1,000 scholarship and the title of Polk County Scholar Athlete.

“No one is more deserving of that scholarship than Renee,” said Lancaster, who nominated Renee for the scholarship.

I didn’t expect to get this award but my hard work and dedication didn’t go by - someone noticed it,” said Donn.   

Now everyone is taking notice as Renee Donn’s constant commitment to be the best student-athlete she can be… will allow her to shine in a promising and bright future.