Johnston, SC - If you should ever tune in for a future evening episode of SportsCenter and find Elise Fallaw behind the anchor desk, do not be surprised. Strom Thurmond High School's Class of 2023 Valedictorian is taking her love of sports and going places.
That will begin at Clemson University in the fall, where Elise will major in sports communication.
She has played volleyball at STHS and worked with the baseball team on social media, but she has also expanded her sports interests outside of the normal regional viewing parameters to include professional hockey.
If you plan to take over the world of sports communication someday, it only makes sense to diversify your sporting palate.
Elise has been just as passionate in the classroom, as her class-leading 5.315 grade point average would indicate. She is a student leader who has shown future classes of Rebel graduates what can be accomplished in their own lives, with plenty of hard work and determination.
Parents: Mark and Helen Fallaw.
Accolades and Achievements: Strom Thurmond High School Class of 2023 Valedictorian; Class Rank (1); Grade Point Average (5.315); Head Junior Marshall (2022 Graduation); College board AP Scholar Award (2022); 2022-23 STHS Scholar Athlete Award; 2022-23 Outstanding Scholastic Graduate Award; Piedmont Technical College Merit List (2021-22); Piedmont Technical College University Studies Certificate & Cum Laude (awarded in 2023); Palmetto Fellows Scholar; 2022-23 STHS Achievement in English; Piedmont Technical College Merit List (2021-22); Piedmont Technical College University Studies Certificate & Cum Laude (awarded in 2023); Member of National Technical Honor Society, National Beta Club, FCA, Varsity Volleyball Team.
College/Career Plans: Elise will attend Clemson University and Major in Sports Communication.
Summer Plans: Relaxing at the beach before leaving for Clemson in the fall.
Memorable Moment(s) at STHS: “I believe it was my sophomore year and my brother (Robert) was a senior on the baseball team, and they played Gilbert in a one-game playoff for the region title and that was very memorable. Going to all of the football games and sitting in the student section. Those are always memorable. This year it was on another level. It was so much fun. Seeing all of my closest friends and I succeed academically has been really great. During my freshman year it became a goal to be Valedictorian and I worked hard, but I didn’t put too much extra pressure on myself. I gave it my best, but I really wanted to enjoy my time here at Strom Thurmond High School.”
Advice to Rising Seniors: “Continue to work hard because it still matters, but enjoy your senior year because it goes by really fast. People told me that, but I really didn’t appreciate how fast it does go by. Also, go ahead and start finding colleges you are interested in and start finding scholarships because that can become stressful.”
What or Who Has Inspired you? “I grew up watching more and more women have leading roles in sports communication and broadcasting. People like Sam Ponder, who was on College Gameday for a while. Also, I’ve seen how hard my dad has worked and how he’s led me and my brother. Mom is definitely a hard worker as well and she has inspired me, and her advice has definitely shaped who I am.”
If you were allowed to anchor and produce an episode of SportsCenter, what story are you leading with and what else would you feature? “I’m a huge Braves fan and probably something to do with Ronald Acuna, Jr. because he’s trying to become the fifth player to reach forty stolen bases and forty home runs. My dad and I have spent the last couple of months watching the Stanley Cup playoffs, so I would have to throw in something about that. It was really random that we started watching it, but I've enjoyed it. I don’t have a favorite hockey team yet, but I guess I’m in the market for a team. I would also have to get my Clemson Tigers in there as well. It's just such a great school for athletics. You can just really take your pick from the sports. I would really love to interview Clemson softball’s Valerie Cagle.”
