Audrey Smith is a senior at Parkersburg South High School who is making the most of her high school career by embracing new opportunities and getting involved in a wide range of activities that includes tennis, choir, key club, student council, and more. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Audrey Smith, a 17-year-old senior at Parkersburg South High School, is a student who lives by the mantra “live in the moment” by embracing new opportunities and getting involved in a wide range of activities.

She has a passion for tennis, a love of science and a deep commitment to helping others.

Smith began her student career at Parkersburg Catholic, where she attended from pre-K through ninth grade. She transferred to South her freshman year and said the decision to switch from private to public school was driven by her desire for more opportunities.

“I do tennis, and I wanted a bigger tennis team environment. I wanted the opportunity to take dual enrollment classes–it was way easier to get college credit at South than it was at Catholic,” Smith said.

For Smith, tennis is more than just a sport–it’s a source of personal growth and a driving force behind her high school journey. She said she began playing tennis in early elementary school where it started as a family tradition but grew into something of her own.

Audrey Smith, right,is a volunteer at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center where she helps patients and supports staff. Also pictured from left, Gracie Vass, Pallavi Sundaram, Payton Waters and Mylee Brown. (Photo Provided)

“My mom used to play, and more of her side of the family plays a lot, so it’s almost a family tradition,” Smith said. “I think I’m into it more than my mom was, really.”

On the court, Smith plays both singles and doubles, but said she has a clear preference.

“I like singles more just because I’m in control,” Smith said. “I feel like I’m less in control in doubles.”

She said competition can be fierce and that her preparation for matches is both mental and physical.

“I listen to music before, to try to get in the competitive mindset,” Smith said. “Once you’re out there, you really just have to control your thoughts and think clearly.”

Audrey Smith, a senior at Parkersburg South High School, plays in a tennis match at City Park in April. Smith also coaches children ages 4 to 10, sharing her love and knowledge of the game. (Photo Provided)

Competing at a high level, Smith said she has participated in tournaments every year of her tennis career.

“Every year, I compete in the regionals, but it’s really hard to get out of our region to go to states,” she said.

She’s also played in major tournaments like OVACs in Wheeling and is preparing for new challenges as South transitions to a different conference.

“We’ll be playing new schools now, just to prepare for MSACs (Mountain State Athletic Conference),” she said.

She said she’s been preparing for this new challenge the same way she always does.

Audrey Smith was inducted into the National Honor Society at Parkersburg South High School in April 2024. (Photo Provided)

“I think it’s just mental and physical preparation,” Smith said. “I train in the off season, and I think that’s helped a lot through the years.”

Smith’s commitment to tennis extends beyond playing as she also coaches children ages 4 to 10, giving back her love and knowledge of the game to the next generation of players. She said it has also helped her own game as coaching has taught her patience and leadership which transitions onto the court.

“I like helping them because it also helps me. I give them something to work on, but it also gives me something to think about whenever I play,” she said. “I never thought it would be so difficult to try to keep kids under control until I did that.”

Smith quickly became an active member of the school community at South where her interest extends beyond athletics.

“Last year in NHS (National Honor Society), I was just a regular member, but this year I’m vice president,” she said.

Audrey Smith, right, and her family, Alexandra Smith, Amy Smith, and Rich Smith, on a family vacation at the beach in June. (Photo Provided)

She is also a member of the student council and participates in Key Club and choir.

She said she enjoyed participating in Student Council’s legislative day at the Capitol and singing in the school’s concert, chamber and madrigal choirs.

Community service has been a major part of Smith’s high school experience where through NHS and Key Club, she’s helped with food drives, cards for nursing homes and local festivals. She also volunteers at WVU Medicine Camden Clark hospital, assisting patients and supporting staff. She said volunteering has opened the world up to her.

“It’s a lot of fun because I’ve met a lot of people,” Smith said. “Without those connections, I wouldn’t have the friends I have today.”

Her passion for science has been a constant throughout high school.

Audrey Smith, center, giving a speech about Health & Wellbeing in West Virginia at the West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy in July 2025. (Photo Provided)

“I like biology a lot and chemistry,” she said, adding that she enjoys “learning what’s super tiny and what’s really out there.”

Thinking of her future, Smith said she was inspired by her love of science and her experiences volunteering at Camden Clark and is considering a future in biomedical sciences or biochemistry. She credits her volunteer work at the hospital for helping shape her career goals. “I think it was a factor of volunteering at the hospital and just wanting to help people and discover new things like medicines and treatment ways,” Smith said. “I’m also thinking about going to medical school to do medical research.”

She said she has been actively touring colleges to find the right fit and has toured Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, Ohio State and Notre Dame.

While she said she hasn’t made a final decision, she admits, “I think I like the Virginia schools the most, but I’m not sure yet. I’m still touring.”

For Smith, the search is about more than academics. She said it’s also about the things she loves in life.

“Right now, what I’m searching for is more like an academic and student life type thing, but I think once I get there, I’ll definitely want to do more volunteer work, and I’ll probably play tennis too, just for fun,” Smith said.

As she enters her senior year, Smith said she is both excited and reflective.

“I’m excited to get it going, definitely, but it’s kind of sad to know I have to leave, but I’m excited to leave at the same time,” she said.

Her advice to younger students entering their high school careers is to get involved with everything they can.

“Join clubs, student council, and volunteer,” Smith said. “There’ll be a lot of people who want to do the same things you’re doing, and you won’t know unless you go talk to them and put yourself out there.”

Audrey Smith, center, and Parkersburg High School tennis teammates Samantha McKinney and Hannah Raper during the 2025 tennis season. (Photo Provided)

Audrey Smith, third from the top right, with the 2025 Alto section from the Parkersburg South High School Chamber Ensemble. (Photo Provided)

Audrey Smith, front left, at the Governor’s Honors Academy in July. Also pictured are other students who participated from around the state. Front, from left, Smith, Lavaughn Lamar, Laura Brannon, Lydia Peterson and Janie Kay Worley. Back from left: Smit Babariya, Isaac Lanigan, James Hadjis, Max Warner and Vincent Zegrea. (Photo Provided)

Audrey Smith, second row third from the right, with the Parkersburg South High School Key Club assisting with Lubeck Elementary School’s Color Run in May. (Photo Provided)