Senior Julia Best called being named Female Student-Athlete of the Month for December "an honor."

She paused and added, "When you get off the elevators in Bellmont Hall, right in front of you in the glass case on the wall near the counseling office are the pictures of the Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Month. The recognition makes you feel as though all of the hard work you are doing is worthwhile."

Since arriving from Smithson Valley High School, Best has done many things worthwhile as a member of the Women's Golf team, as well as in her studies and her extracurricular activities.

"Julia is intense and supercharged," said Dr. Tina Kien, who is Best's academic counselor.

An education major, Best has been the recipient of the 2005 and 2006 Harvey Penick Endowed Scholarships. In 2004, she received the Whitworth/Holloway Endowed Scholarship.

"Neither of my parents have college degrees," Best began. "They encouraged all of us (Julia has two siblings) to make certain we did get one.

"And for me to be at Texas is something so great. From when you walk in as a freshman, the academic counselors make sure you have success. From learning how to manage your time, to mandatory study halls, to having tutors available for you."

Kien singled out Best as one of the most dedicated and determined students in women's athletics.

"Julia is highly motivated," Kien continued. "She follows through meticulously on school, golf and Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) responsibilities. She also makes time to volunteer at Marbridge Ranch and at local elementary schools.

"Julia is a role model for her teammates and other student-athletes alike. She is a natural working with children and plans to be an elementary school teacher."

Best said she enjoyed helping the students (at Marbridge Ranch) -- grades 3 through 6 -- with their work, but indicated she particularly loves working with the kindergarten students.

"I feed off their energy," she said.

No doubt, they, likewise, feed off Best's.

"Teaching is my Plan B right now because I would like to try golf," said Best, who has three semesters of student teaching remaining. "It is a great Plan B and one I would be comfortable with."

Thus, her performance off the course is on par with her performance on the course.

Individually, she recorded a tie for 26th place in the 2005 Big 12 Championships. Last season, she had a scoring average of 76.52.

"There is a parallel between your school work and golf," she said. "The preparation is never ending. (Best punctuated that comment with a laugh.) To stay on top, you can't neglect anything in either for one day."

Best, who says she doesn't think about this being her final year at Texas because she knows she is going to miss it, reported that the focus for her and her teammates this season is on the mental side of the game.

"Our coach (Susan Watkins) is doing practices as though they are tournament rounds," Best said. "We're practicing in a tournament-like setting, so when we're in tournament play we will focus on what makes golf fun and just enjoy playing."

Best said the theme for the women's golf team is: "Get it done."

She embodies such, both on and off the course.