Stacy Mendes Sanches '21 Recruiting Profile

My introduction to sports was kind of accidental. I went my whole middle school career not taking part in any after school activities until, one day I was waiting to meet up with a friend to walk home with as she told me that she had forgotten that volleyball tryouts were today and that she was sorry that I had to walk alone. Not feeling like walking by myself for 30 minutes, I stuck around to see what the fuss was. As I walked into our gym I saw hundreds of girls passing balls around, across the courts, and  over their heads. I then felt a tap on my shoulder, it was Mrs. Martin, my gym teacher. She scolded me for being late and unprepared, giving me a number and placed me in a serving line. I stayed through the tryouts doing drills and games. I had so much fun that day that I had to finish tryouts. Of Course I made the team and met a bunch of amazing girls whom I consider, till this day, some of my closest friends. 

Volleyball has changed my perspective on hard work and perseverance. Before I played a sport I was a good student, had good enough grades and never got into trouble. I never thought that I had to go out of my way to make an effort to learn the knowledge if I just had a B or above. Once I started playing though, I understood that the game wasn’t only about “ how was my pass”, “ that was a good set on my part”, “ I got an ace”, but more about making sure to help those on my team to better the ball play by play. It made me realize that even if I were to be the best player on the court it's my job as a team member to assist my team mates with the best of my ability even if it seems to be no effort at all. 

My academic goals for high school at the moment would probably be graduating with honors and hopefully gain an internship in a veterinary clinic. My goals in college would be to graduate with a BS degree or graduate from a pre veterinary program but along the way I wish to embrace culture and community with the school by joining clubs and activities in hopes to make a new family. I also intend to further my education to veterinary medicine. 

My family was never  the wealthiest but we do get by. My mother has always taught me to treasure the things I have and work hard for the things I want. I was raised to be responsible and independent. When we moved to the United States it was hard at first. France and America are very different but I was able to adjust within six months. I wasn’t bullied but many did try to take advantage of me for not speaking English, which only made me more motivated to learn the language to catch up with my comrades. As I got older my responsibility was to raise my little brother and sister while my parents were at work, I also had to take on a job as my mother wasn't always able to buy me the things I wanted while raising 4 kids, so I decided to take some of that responsibility off her hands.