Student athletes like sixth grader Samantha (Sami) Evans prove that with a lot of work and dedication, even middle schoolers can follow their dreams to be successful athletes.
Sami is an ice hockey goalie who is already racking up impressive stats on the ice thanks to her confidence and a lot of hard work. She started playing hockey when she was 5 years old. She got interested in the sport watching her father play and became a hockey fan. Sami played forward for a year in a house league and then moved to goalie because she loved the challenge of stopping the puck.
She describes herself as creative and always staying busy. She plays the piano, crafts almost every day, enjoys watching sports and hangs out with her friends. But her dedication on the ice is what sets her apart.
This summer, she played for the Western Selects, an elite AAA youth girls’ hockey league. Despite being one of the youngest players on the team, she received MVP/Player of the Game awards when she played in Connecticut, Minnesota, Las Vegas and Colorado. She even earned two shutouts (when the goalie prevents the other team from scoring any goals the entire game).
Sami also plays hockey with two Valley teams: the Arizona Kachinas (girls AAA in Gilbert) and the Arizona Titans (boys AA in Phoenix).
“I love playing against new teams and traveling across the country,” she said. “I love being there with my teammates, having fun going to tournaments and spending time with each other.”
Although Sami spends a lot of time improving her hockey skills, she knows the student part of being a “student-athlete” requires dedication. Attending online middle school at ASU Prep Digital gives her the flexibility to manage her time and balance both school and sports.
“It teaches me how to manage my school day and be responsible,” she said. “It can be hard to manage school while I’m traveling for hockey all the time. My teachers, parents and learning success coach help me stay organized and support me so I feel confident to do both.”
Sami has three tips to help other student athletes to succeed in online school:
- Set a daily routine.
- Create a dedicated learning space without distractions.
- Focus on encouragement rather than perfection.
Looking ahead, Sami aspires to goaltend for ASU’s women’s hockey team or another Division 1 team. After that, she hopes to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.
At ASU Prep Digital, students like Sami are preparing for what’s next, whether that’s high school, college or competing at the highest levels of their sport. Learn more at asuprepdigital.org.
