REFLECTIONS ON WHEATON ACADEMY
Amy Alexander ’21 had a successful four years as a Wheaton Academy soccer player, helping the program lift a third place trophy in 2021. She now plays at Oral Roberts University, competing in the NCAA at the D1 level.
ON GIRLS SOCCER
During my four years at Wheaton Academy, the most significant way I grew was by being a part of the girls soccer program. As someone who grew up playing soccer their whole life, the Wheaton Academy season was always a breath of fresh air compared to a sometimes harsh club team setting. High school was not the easiest four years for me personally. Being a part of the team at WA gave me the best community to walk with in difficult seasons of life—not just the sports season.
Even more than pursuing excellence on the field, the program highly prioritizes that individuals would come to know Jesus Christ better than when they arrived. During my time on the team, I felt my whole view and approach toward soccer change. Instead of being motivated by individual pressure to perform, this community showed me how to use soccer to worship the Lord. Each day always emphasized the great opportunity we had to be a part of something so much bigger than ourselves through the game of soccer.
EXPERIENCING TEAM CULTURE
Not only did I play with quality soccer players at Wheaton Academy, but I was on a team filled with the best quality people. I played with girls, who to this day, are some of my best friends. They prayed with me, encouraged me, and did life with me. I have sweet memories of team dinners after Friday practices eating good food and laughing so hard with my them till hurt.
I was so thankful for the Christ-centered community that held a Bible study together before school in the off-season, had pre-game devos, weekly prayer groups, and was led by passionate, God-fearing coaches. I had the privilege of being coached by people who invested immensely in me as a player, but even more as an individual. They were available for me in the issues outside of soccer and provided me with wisdom in the decision-making of playing soccer at the next level in college.
Wheaton Academy, and especially the WA soccer program, provides individuals a space to develop into the person God has called them to be. Being a part of this team means being part of a family.