Skoviera and Wheat named Athletes of the Week

TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

Merrill Girls varsity doubles tennis team Amelia Skoviera and Tessa Wheat were named Athletes of the Week. Both ladies are seniors at Merrill High School. Amelia started playing Varsity Tennis as a freshman, and this is her second year in doubles, both seasons with Tessa. “I believe we are such a strong team because we are close friends,” Amelia said. “We always support and communicate with each other to stay positive and never give up the game.” Tessa is in her second year of Varsity Tennis. “The two years I was the No. 1 double with Amelia,” Tessa said. “Amelia and I are best friends on and off the pitch, and no matter what happens on the pitch, win or lose, we support each other. She’s stronger in serve and at the back of the field, where I’m stronger at the net, on the fly, but our energy and positive attitude is what helps us achieve our victories.

Amelia also plays defense for Merrill Girls Varsity Soccer [since Junior year], is a student representative for the MAPS Board of Education and is involved with the National Honor Society, Link Crew, the Nest, the Student Council, Raise Your Voice, Junior Optimists and Bluejay Beat. She enjoys coaching kindergarten and 4K summer football, being outdoors and spending time with her friends.

The daughter of Colleen Skoviera and Aaron Skoviera of Merrill, Amelia has a GPA of 4.0 and plans to attend UW-Eau Claire next year, majoring in elementary education.

Tessa also plays football but was a coach this year due to an injury. She hopes to be back on the pitch soon and occupies several positions, from goaltender to striker. Tessa is a Big Sister at the Washington School for Big Brothers Big Sisters, is Treasurer of the National Honor Society, and is involved with the Junior Optimist Club, Accelerated Art, Bluejay Beat, Raise Your Voice, LEAD and is a Link Leader. She enjoys skiing, art, relaxing watching movies and TV, spending time with friends, and being with family and pets. [a chihauhau named Roo, a schiperkee rat terrier mix named Riley (both were rescues), and a cat named Grizzly that they found in a tree during a snowstorm].

Daughter of Kelly Wheat and John Wheat of Merrill, Tessa has a GPA of 4.0 and plans to attend UW-LaCrosse or UW-Stevens Point after high school to become a hobby therapist, with a minor in art therapy.