ORLANDO, Fla---
A crowd is starting to form inside the Timber Creek High School Performing Arts Center. Senior Alana Wolfberg is already in her seat on stage.
“I think going with the flow is always the way,” Alana says to her fellow Validectorian’s.
It’s Senior Awards night at Timber Creek.
“Smile and wave baby smile and wave,” Alana jokes about how she plans to walk across the stage.
You can see a big gold medal hanging around her neck. All of these students are decorated, Alana Wolfberg more than most. She’s speaking tonight. Her legacy hard to put into words.
Earlier that day she practiced her speech on the tennis court.
“Another day another warm up, it’s been this way for twelve years and I don’t think I’d change it,” Alana says as she starts to loosen up.
Why would you. Alana’s one of the best high school athletes in the history of Florida.
“It’s been absolutely bitter sweet to play for Timber Creek for the last 4 years,” she says. “For it to end as it did I couldn’t ask for a better ending.”
Alana just won her 4th consecutive FHSAA singles state championship, breaking a Florida record held by tennis legend Chris Evert.
“To be able to break it and be in the same realm as her is I can’t really describe it, it’s everything I could have hoped for and more.”
Zach Higgins returns one of Alana’s shots. He’s a coach and trainer at East Orange Tennis.
“It’s unheard of, we don’t know anyone else that’s done this,” Zach says.
Zach has taken over as Alana’s swing partner. A position that used to be held by her coach.
“Good that’s solid,” Jeff Wolfberg says as he feeds a ball to Zach.
Jeff is the Director at East Orange Tennis. He’s also Alana’s dad.
“I’m not sure words can accurately describe just how proud I am of Alana, but it’s not just the record.”
It’s the classroom and school activities too. Alana is involved in just about everything at Timber Creek.
“National honor society, social studies national honors society, helping the homeless,” she starts to list.
And that’s just to name a few. She also has an unweighted 4.0 GPA. With these kind of high school ambitions. Imagine what she’ll accomplish when she leaves Florida and starts her college career at Oklahoma State.
“I just felt like it was the best situation for me. I had the support on all ends.”
Alana had over 50 offers from colleges around the country. In the end Oklahoma State felt like family. As she joins her new one, she’ll have to leave her dad Jeff and mom Monique behind.
“I’m able to correct myself on court now because of him and how many times he’s put it in my head even though I didn’t want to listen,” Alana says
“The resources that they have at Oklahoma State and the coaching is so far beyond my ability I’m beyond excited to see where they take her,” Jeff says.
Alana steps off the court for a water break. She pulls out her phone to rehearse that night’s speech.
“I challenge all of you who are here tonight to do the same with whatever brings you happiness,” she reads to her dad.”
That night she finished it to applause at Timber Creek.
“Congratulations class of 2019 let’s go do big things.”
When it comes to Alana Wolfberg, the legacy speaks for itself.