
From left are John Dupree (father), Lily Kate Dupree (sister), Ashley Dupree (mother), Ella John Dupree, tennis coach Page Jackson and doubles partner Karson Hamilton. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)
Ella John Dupree, a senior at Cape Fear Christian Academy, received the WRAL Extra Effort Award on Tuesday.
The versatile Dupree is student body president and is an outstanding student. She has played tennis, volleyball, basketball, soccer and competed in track and field. She also is a cheerleader and has sung the national anthem before games.
The daughter of John and Ashley Dupree has performed in numerous productions at school and for Harnett Regional Theater. She was taped playing the keyboard and singing in her mother’s classroom on Tuesday.
She has played No. 1 in singles in girls tennis at CFCA for six years, helping the Eagles to runner-up finishes in the NCISAA 1-A tournament in 2022 and 2023. She was recently named all-state in tennis, along with doubles partner Karson Hamilton.
“Her drive is what makes her successful,” said CFCA tennis coach Page Jackson.
The segment featurung Dupree as the Extra Effort recipient is scheduked to air on Friday at 6:20 p.m.

The WRAL reporter shot from numerous angles as ‘EJ’ played tennis Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Al Myatt)