It seems that every time a group of high-schoolers does something notable, Kellyanne Hurst’s name pops up. Really, there isn’t much that the Plant City High School senior doesn’t do — and do well. And with the U.S. Naval Academy awaiting her arrival, she’s about to take her talents to a much bigger stage.
How many high schoolers have a three-page résumé ready at will?
Count Plant City High School senior Kellyanne Hurst in that group.
It doesn’t take long to figure out why. Hurst has self-confidence in spades and a burning desire to prove to herself that she can do anything.
Her résumé is about as diverse as possible for a one-sport athlete, with numerous clubs, charities and academic achievements represented, but an entire page is devoted to golf.
“I always wanted to do something bigger than myself,” Hurst said. “I wanted to use golf to get myself the best education that I could.”
That plan has been successful. The Plant City native has made a verbal commitment to the U.S. Naval Academy’s golf team. For Hurst, the commitment represents two things: the start of a new chapter in her life, and the end result of her many labors of love.
CAREER YEAR
Obviously, it wasn’t just Hurst’s golf prowess that caught the Naval Academy’s attention. She’s also on track to graduate fifth in her class, with a 4.0 grade-point average, and represented Plant City High School — and, in some cases, Hillsborough County — at several out-of-state events in 2013. Much of it had to do with a newfound interest in politics.
In September, Hurst was chosen as one of U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross’ Congressional Classroom participants, which sent her on a trip to Washington, D.C., to watch politicians work.
The trip, also hosted by the Randy Roberts Foundation, included a tour of the nation’s capital. Twenty-five of Hurst’s classmates signed a petition to get her a nomination. She was voted into an interview and ended up being the only student from Hillsborough to make the cut.
Later, Ross gave Hurst the official nomination she needed to gain acceptance to the Naval Academy.
She also participated in the Auburn University World Affairs Youth Seminar, a weeklong, United Nations-style seminar that had high school sophomores, juniors and seniors covering international politics.
Hurst was one of 10 Athena Society Young Women of Promise Award winners from Hillsborough. She also won a West Point Society General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Leadership Award, a Wendy’s High School Heisman award and a Plant City Optimist Youth Appreciation Award this year, and has stayed on the school’s Honor Roll since 2010.
As a Plant City High School Civinette, Hurst helped organize a number of food drives, fundraisers and other charity events to help Plant City residents in need. She’s also been involved with the Youth Alive Leadership Council, the Student Advisory Committee and the Athletic Booster Club. She’s also the Cover Girl for the 2014 Plant City High Calendar.
“Seventeen years just go flying through your mind,” Karen Hurst, her mother, said. “My favorite thing was seeing her achieve the goals she set out for. Winning the district, and Cover Girl. … It’s not just that she won those things, but that she put her mind to it and made it happen.”
But, despite getting so much satisfaction out of her studies and charity work, her biggest passion lies on the links.
THE INDIVIDUAL SPORT
Golf, without question, is the perfect sport for someone like Hurst. Any golfer will call the sport an individual effort, with only the course to compete against, and that’s right in line with her mindset.
“I do not like to lose,” Hurst said. “I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. And, if I don’t, I know I tried my best.”
Talent will get a golfer far, but confidence brings home the bacon. Hurst was named MVP of every Lady Raiders squad she played on, minus her sophomore year, and helped take the team to the next level in her four years. That includes the undefeated regular season and trip to states in 2010 and 2011 and the 2013 district title.
Her favorite moment was winning the district last season, when she sank a six-foot putt on the 18th hole to win.
“It’s been an honor to be with her for four years,” coach Meg Jordan said. “She’s just a true diplomat of golf and, ultimately, what I’d like my daughter to be when she grows up.”
Hurst picked up the sport from a young age, learning to play with her father, Michael, while her mother was teaching at St. Clement. Wednesday nights were “Daddy-Daughter Date Nights.” The Hursts went out to eat and then hit the golf course. Like her brother, Connor, before her, Kellyanne turned out to be pretty good.
“I love playing golf, but my kids are significantly better than I am,” Michael Hurst said.
She had a solid junior golf career, highlighted by a Tournament of Champions win and Player of the Year award in 2012, and has played on the Lady Raiders’ varsity squad since arriving at PCHS.
After her golf career at the Naval Academy is over, though, that will be all she wrote. As much as she loves the game, she decided long ago that college would be as far as she uses it to take herself.
“Kellyanne decided, seven years ago, not to go pro,” Karen Hurst said. “She just wanted to use golf to get into a good school. We’re very proud of what she’s been able to accomplish.”
THE OFFSEASON
One of her goals for this summer, before going to Maryland, is to “not break any bones.” She also plans to win a golf tournament, work on her swing and run a half-marathon.
“It’s a motivating factor to get in shape for the Naval Academy,” she said.
The focus of the Naval Academy is to train young people “to become officers of competence, character and compassion” in the U.S. Navy and Marines. This is exactly what drew Kellyanne Hurst’s interests to Maryland: This will enhance her leadership qualities.
Should everything go according to plan, she’ll officially sign with the Naval Academy in the spring, and her parents already are preparing themselves for Hurst’s departure.
As the Hurst family originally came here from Maryland — moving here when Karen was six months pregnant with Kellyanne — the parents plan on making the trek up north as often as they can to catch her golf matches. Still, they already know they’re going to miss having their daughter around.
“It’s going to be tough,” Michael Hurst said.
But, knowing that their daughter is going to do exactly what she’s always dreamed of doing, they’ll be just fine.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.