Joseline Tlapaya '21 Recruiting Profile

I'm a senior at Central High School of Philadelphia. I've pushed myself academically when I didn't get accepted into this high school because it's known for its academics and as well as its soccer team. I transferred my sophomore year and was a starter in their girls soccer varsity team. We won public league and district XII that year. Unfortunately, we lost public league in my junior year. This loss has taught me to push myself and prepare myself for when my school starts its season again. As of right now, we can't play because of COVID but there's hope for us to play this spring. Even though we aren't guaranteed a season, I am preparing for it everyday. 

I am learning to become optimistic in order to better myself in every possible way. My Martial Arts class live by "winners never quit and quitters never win" because it's true. Many people get into karate but quit because it becomes overwhelming. I stopped going to karate for about 2 years but I didn't want to be a quitter so I came back and am committed to reach black belt no matter how long it takes. One of my masters constantly told us that fast and sloppy never works and to perfect it slow first. This relates to soccer because in order to master a technique, you must perfect it slow and before you know it you'll find your rhythm and soon be able to do it on the field. Before the world was hit with a pandemic, I started boxing. Both Karate and boxing have taught me so much and helped me improve my skills in soccer and vice versa.