This Brookland Middle School 8th grader discovered soccer by watching her sister play, and over the past three years, the sport has become a cornerstone of her growth — on and off the field. What draws her most is the leadership aspect of the game, something she has stepped into fully as a team captain. Her ability to relate to the 6th and 7th graders she plays alongside gives her a unique edge: she understands their struggles, and that empathy helps keep the team composed and decisive when the pressure is on. But soccer is only part of her story. She has also expressed a strong interest in JROTC and the social sciences, reflecting a young woman who isn't waiting to figure out how she wants to make an impact — she's already exploring it from every angle. Whether she's leading her teammates on the field or pursuing her next passion in the classroom, she embodies exactly why access to school extracurriculars matters. Giving students like her a place to lead, connect, and grow changes everything.