Semoball Awards: Kennett's Sophie Boone named The Bank of Missouri Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Kennett High School graduate and three-sport athlete Sophie Boone was named The Bank of Missouri Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the 2023 Semoball Awards presented by SoutheastHEALTH on Friday, July 14, at LaCroix Church in Cape Girardeau.

While Boone spent her fair share of time on the volleyball and basketball court, and on the sidelines as a cheerleader throughout high school, she was just as accomplished in the classroom as she was in a black and gold uniform.

“I've done volleyball, basketball and cheer all four years of high school,” Boone said. “But I also participated in a bunch of extracurricular clubs and always went out for the leadership positions. I did a lot of upper level classes like AP and dual credits, and I also managed to work a job.”

She graduated with a 3.99 out of 4.0 GPA and held several leadership roles throughout her time in high school. Boone served as Student Body President her senior year, Class President all four years, National Honor Society President, Key Club Public Relations, and FBLA Secretary.

Boone was also a member of the Kennett Swim Team from freshman to senior year. She was the senior Courtwarming Queen, a Girls State delegate and senator, and an FBLA state and nationals qualifier. This year, she was the recipient of the inaugural Bloomfield Christmas Tournament Scholarship.

She said that her favorite sport in high school was volleyball, but one of the best memories of her high school career was beating Dexter in girls basketball her senior year – a milestone game resulting in a 55-45 win during which she scored a personal record number of points.

“The chemistry of our basketball team, I wouldn't trade it for the world,” Boone said. “You put 15 girls together for four months, six out of seven days of the week, and there was no drama. We didn't have a single problem, and a lot of that goes to the coaches. They're great, and our team got along really well. I was sad to see it come to an end.”

Kennett's Sophie Boone contends with Dexter's defense during a game on January 9, 2023. Kennett won the game 55-45.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

She said that it was sometimes tricky to balance the heavy workload of sports, extracurriculars and academics, but she was always able to make it work.

“Just through the support of my parents and teachers and just good time management, I've been able to make everything work and I wouldn't trade it for the world,” Boone said. “I like staying busy and working hard. I managed to find a way to make it work, whether it's doing homework on the bus or getting up early.”

In the fall, Boone will begin the next chapter as she takes a trip three hours down I-55 to Oxford, Mississippi. She will be enrolling in the University of Mississippi, where she plans to study accounting.

“I'll still be close to home,” Boone said. “I'll be close to my big brother who lives in Birmingham, and my aunt and uncle just moved there. Distance was a big thing, but their accounting and business school is really good. I'm really looking forward to meeting a lot of new people and making good friends.”

The end of Boone's high school career will lead to open starting spots on team rosters and numerous leadership positions that will need to be filled, but she is excited to continue her academic pursuit at Ole Miss.

“Hotty Toddy,” she concluded.