Student Spotlight: Achieving Balance to Reach New Heights

Here at Lutheran North, we recognize and encourage the students to succeed both in the classroom and beyond. This week we interviewed a senior student here at Lutheran North, named Emily Mathews, that competes across the nation as part of the U18 Women’s National Team for soccer.

While competing for this team, Emily frequently travels to the west side of the country to play in exhibition games and tournaments against other U18 teams from around the globe. She often has to miss multiple days of school throughout the year to travel with her team.

When asked how she is able to balance her load of schoolwork and playing for a prestigious soccer team, she shared that “being willing to put in the extra work in advance” is the key for her ability to succeed in school during the season.

As many incoming high school students worry about the stress and time consumption playing a sport may have, Emily advises to

“Always be in communication with your teachers and find those extra minutes of downtime to study and complete the work you missed in school.”

Despite the time-consuming schedule Emily has, she cherishes the people at Lutheran North and all of her friends she has made since freshman year. From her friends to her teachers, Emily has felt a special connection within Lutheran North and says that people are “always willing to help her out inside the classroom and out.” When asked if she could go back to 8th grade and choose what high school she would want to attend, Emily said,