By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Alexis Berger is ranked 104th out of 387 in Thompson High School’s senior class and is one of this year’s salutatorians.

Her GPA is a solid 3.80. Berger was a soccer player until the middle of seventh grade when she switched to golf.

Her favorite golf clubs include her driver, seven iron and putter with the vast majority being Titlelist.

She has taken lessons at Greystone and Timberline country clubs.

Lead instructor Scott Hassee and high school coach Marc Rice have played a large part in Berger’s success.

Berger carries an 8.0 handicap.

Berger has visited several campuses and had a number of scholarship offers. Among them are Oglethorpe in Georgia, Huntingdon in Montgomery and the University of South Carolina at Beaufort.

Asked by her coach to go down to the University of Montevallo and “look,” Berger didn’t feel like that was “leaving home.”

However, she did go and like so many “locals” before her she loved what she saw.  Berger said, “I loved the campus and atmosphere. The college is close enough that I don’t worry about traveling to visit or get Mom’s food. The golf team seems to bond well, the campus is beautiful and I like Peck Hall where I’ll board. Justin Pratt is the UM golf coach.”

Born on March 26, 1997 in Pompano Beach, Fla., Berger has relatives in Florida and upstate New York.

Visiting family and “hanging out with friends” is a favorite activity.

In 2010 Berger was part of a P2P (People to People) European trip covering England, France, Germany and Switzerland.

Her dream trip would be to Italy and Greece.

At Thompson, Berger has served this year on the founding group for the Leo Club, which is very similar to the Lions Club.

The organization participates in civic involvement such as Toys for Tots, food and clothing for the homeless and a canned food drive to name a few.

Berger serves as secretary for this club.

Berger gives credit to former coaches, teachers and her parents and extended family for where she is today.

“There are several people who have made a positive impact on my life. Family, coaches and even complete strangers have encouraged me to follow my dreams and passions.”