Skylar Pemberton '21 Recruiting Profile

Being a competitive swimmer since I was 7, I’ve evolved as an athlete, student, and person.  Sitting on the sidelines of the pool after swim lessons when I was 4 years old at the local YMCA watching the swim team kids begin their rigorous workout was the highlight of my week.  I would look up at my mom and say “I want to be like them someday.”  Swimming has always been an outlet for me, a place to put my passion and hard work.  It has taught me to become more self-reliant in times of stress while also being able to ask for help when I need it.  Asking for help had always seemed like a sign of vulnerability and a showcase of weakness before I began to understand that only the strongest people have the knowledge and wisdom to accept other people’s support and advice.  The beginning of high school was a rough time for me.  Being apart of a private school that wasn’t in my town, I didn’t have many friends, and it was a strange and unusual environment.  My grades were suffering my first two years of high school.  No matter how organized and detailed my notes were, no matter how hard or long I studied for, I just couldn’t seem to retain my A’s from middle school.  During sophomore year, me and my family had a realization.  When I was at home going over my material, I was prepared for tests and quizzes and had a good understanding of the information.  But whenever I would begin a test, it would leave my brain, and my mind would wander.  We eventually reached out to a therapist, and I was diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD.  Along with those, I had depression from the strain of knowing all of my efforts never showed up in the classroom.  It was a rollercoaster ride of finding the right medications to treat my mental restrictions, but having gone through numerous sets of pills we have come across a combination that has helped me to regain control of my life and my high school career.  Even though I use these medications to help me be as successful as possible, I no longer see my anxiety and ADHD as restrictions, but rather as something that makes me stronger as well as a more dedicated and motivated athlete.