Every year, the All Sports Association honors one local high school senior of each gender who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
- This year’s Female Scholastic Award winner is Izzy Douglas, a senior pitcher for the Fort Walton Beach High School softball team.
Douglas has been a four-year member of the Lady Vikings and played a major role in last spring’s 4A state championship run. As a true two-way player, she hit seven home runs with 35 RBIs and a .347 batting average while posting a 2.91 ERA and 107 strikeouts on the mound.
“It’s an honor to represent my school,” Douglas said. “There were a lot of people that played into it, and I’m really grateful for all the support that I have.”
Off the field, Douglas carries a 4.0-plus GPA as an AP and dual enrollment student. She is on track to graduate with her associate degree from Northwest Florida State College and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Fort Walton Beach High student leadership. She also volunteers as a coach with Destin Little League.
Vikings head softball coach Taryn Gray said Douglas consistently puts others first and holds herself and her teammates to a high standard.
- “Izzy does a great job of taking care of her teammates both physically and mentally,” Gray said. “She’ll have a broken wrist and play through the game and do all that, she’s also going to give her teammates rides home after school. She’s going to show up to workouts. She’s going to show up to optional practices. She’s going to do the work and she’s going to push with her senior friends to hold the standard to the whole team.”
Gray recalled a moment from Douglas’ freshman year when the two watched state sendoffs for cross country and track together. Douglas told Gray that Fort Walton Beach softball would have a sendoff of its own someday — and she delivered on that promise.
“She’s got the physical, the mental, the relationships, and her faith, so I feel like she was a shoe-in,” Gray said. “This award was made for her.”
Fort Walton Beach High Principal Lindsey Smith echoed those sentiments.
“Izzy is the ideal candidate for this award because she exemplifies excellence in every area it represents: athletics, leadership, and perseverance,” Smith said. “Her dedication to the sport of softball is unmatched, as she continued to compete and lead through injury, demonstrating resilience, mental toughness, and an unwavering commitment to her team. Beyond athletics, Izzy is an impressive scholar who takes her responsibilities in the classroom seriously as she does on the field. She carries herself with integrity and leadership through the hallways, earning the respect of faculty and peers alike. Izzy represents the very best of student athletes, making her exceptionally deserving of this award.”
Faith plays a central role in Douglas’ life. As an FCA leader, she has helped lead many of her softball teammates to know Jesus Christ.
“Me and my team have been very active in our school’s FCA, and we’re getting to lead a lot of people through that, and me and a couple of the other girls really use softball as our ministry,” Douglas said.
After graduation, Douglas plans to attend Southeastern University in Lakeland to study missional leadership.
She will be honored at the Annual All Sports Banquet on Feb. 20.
The All Sports Association is a volunteer organization that raises money for local youth-oriented nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on sports programs. Each February at the Annual Awards Banquet, the association honors the area’s top high school, collegiate, amateur, professional and Special Olympics athletes, as well as individuals who have fostered youth activities.
