By Andrea Swayne
Dana Hills High School senior Elenna “Lulu” Erkeneff was one of 27 surfers under the age of 18 from 19 different countries chosen to receive a 2012 International Surfing Association (ISA) Individual Scholarship.
Elenna “Lulu” Erkeneff of Dana Point is this year’s only USA-based recipient of the annual International Surfing Association scholarship. Surfing America Executive Director Greg Cruse presented her with the $1,000 award, on behalf of the ISA, at the Surfing America Prime contest in San Clemente on December 9.
Photo by Andrea Swayne
The ISA Scholarship Selection Committee each year recognizes a group of student athletes, it refers to as community role models and ISA ambassadors and presents them with a $1,000 scholarship for use in furthering their education and surfing careers.
Erkeneff is the only U.S. recipient and was chosen for her impressive list of academic, volunteer and surfing accomplishments including her hard work and dedication to co-founding and leading the Surfrider Foundation Club at Dana Hills.
She has an impressive competitive surfing record that includes being named Most Valuable Player on her high school surf team for shortboarding as a freshman and sophomore, and again this year for longboarding. She also won the 2012 WSA National Championship in Girls U18 Longboard.
Erkeneff will graduate with honors after successfully managing a full schedule of Advanced Placement classes throughout high school. She is also a National Honor Society inductee for 2012.
The ISA is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for Surfing. Membership includes the national governing bodies for surfing in 67 countries on five continents.
For more information about ISA, the scholarship program and a full list of this year’s scholarship recipients, log on to www.isasurf.org
