Jennifer Pepper is a 1994 graduate of Sterling High School. She earned nine varsity letters while competing in volleyball, basketball, and softball. As a junior, Jennifer was a member of the Golden Spikers that finished with a 6-22 overall record. Jennifer was named to the 1992 Daily Gazette All-Tri Cities second team and Sterling's MVP. She also received the Callie Lee '80 Stuff Blocks and Karna Abram '83 Kill Spikes award. As a co-captain in her senior season, the team finished 11-18, including a third place finish at the Dixon Tournament. The Golden Spikers defeated Rock Island 15-6, 15-5, before seeing their season come to an end against United Township in the regional semifinals. Jennifer recorded three kills and two blocks in the game. Jennifer led the team with 47 digs and a serve reception percentage of 82%. She also led the team in serving percentage, spiking percentage, and blocking percentage. For her exceptional season, Jennifer was awarded First Team All-Tri Cities and Second Team All-NCIC honors. She was named the team's MVP for the second consecutive year and earned the Jolene Leseman '79 Saves Award. On the court, Jennifer's impact on the Golden Girls basketball team began as a sophomore. Her impressive three point shooting made her an offensive threat as she scored 20 points in a 44-58 loss to Freeport. Sterling's season came to a close with a 34-33 loss to Moline in the first round of the Class AA tournament, ending with a final record of 9-14. Jennifer returned in her junior season as a main component of the Golden Girls team that finished 5-19. She averaged 13.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and was selected to the New-Mor-Roc-Ster All-Tournament Team, where Sterling placed second, the Dixon Telegraph All-Star Team, First Team All-NCIC and First Team All-Tri Cities. Jennifer was also named the team?s MVP and received the Karna Abram Offensive Award. Jennifer was captain of the Golden Girls her senior year. She was named to the New-Mor-Roc-Ster All-Tournament Team, Dixon Telegraph All-Star Team, First Team All-NCIC and First Team All-Tri Cities. Jennifer repeated as the team?s MVP, while again earning the Karna Abram Offensive Award, Pat McKenzie '75 Free Throw Award and Jolene Leseman Recoveries Award. She missed a state berth in the Country Companies three-point shooting contest by one basket and was chosen to play in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association basketball game. Jennifer earned four varsity letters on the softball diamond. After playing her freshman season at third base, she transitioned to more familiar territory at shortstop her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Jennifer was named to the First Team All-Daily Gazette Team and First Team All-NCIC as a junior and senior. She was also the RBI leader of the team during those same years. Jennifer was named the Jolene Leseman Batting Average Award recipient as well the team?s MVP as a sophomore, junior, and senior. In addition to her list of high school accomplishments, Jennifer was named the Roscoe Eades Award winner and received the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Presidential Academic Award. After graduation, Jennifer attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and competed in tennis, basketball, and softball. She was awarded 12 letters. On the tennis court, Jennifer was a valuable player for the Statesmen. She served as the team?s number one singles player her sophomore through senior year, and number one doubles all four years. In all four years, Jennifer placed in the top ten in singles and doubles at the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Jennifer was a four-year starter for the Statesmen and completed her basketball career with 1,234 points, which is 17th in the record book, and 600 rebounds. In her sophomore season, Jennifer averaged an impressive 16.8 points per game in addition to 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists. She was named to the Penn Classic All-Tournament Team and the Washington University All-Tournament Team. She continues to hold seventh in the record books for three pointers made with 92. As a four-time letter winner in softball, Jennifer helped her team to winning records as a centerfielder in 1996 and 1997, and shortstop in 1998. She was named to the IIAC First Team in 1996 and Second Team in 1997. She was also awarded Third Team All-Region in 1996 and Second Team All-Region in 1997. In her senior season, Jennifer helped the Statesmen finish the season with a record of 24-16. To add to her athletic accomplishments, Jennifer was named Academic All-Conference all four years in all three sports. She received the Keith Christianson Award for Outstanding Athlete in 1996 and the Dana M. Atkins Academic Athlete Award at the William Penn senior banquet. Jennifer graduated from William Penn College in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation as well as a minor in Physical Education and Art. She graduated from Ashford University in 2007 with a Master of Arts in Teaching with an endorsement in science. She graduated from Walden University in 2011 with a Masters in Education; Incorporating Technology in the Classroom. She has coached for 15 years at the junior high, high school, and collegiate levels in basketball and softball. She currently lives in Clinton, Iowa and teaches in the science department at Fulton High School.