Growing up, we always have our minds set on different things. Such as what we want to eat for dinner or what we want to be when we grow up. Nonetheless, it always changes. London McCue experienced this change in the form of sports. When she was younger, she was enrolled in sports such as tennis, all the way to gymnastics. However, she finally found her true passion for soccer.
As a sophomore, McCue has been playing for the Junior Varsity (JV) girls’ soccer team for the past two years. Last year, she played a main role in the success of the team going undefeated, serving as their starting goalkeeper. This season, she continues to be the JV starting goalkeeper and has only had under ten goals scored on her this season. At first, she did not even want to be goalkeeper, but settled as it was what her team needed and it required less than the other positions offered. However, she has been in this position ever since she started and found the passion for it.
“The position itself stood out,” McCue (10) said. “I felt better choosing it because it was more individualized. I feel like I can count on myself.”
Not only is McCue seen on the field, but she is also seen on the sidelines giving medical care to Ayala’s sports teams. This year, McCue joined the athletic training program at Ayala where she practices sports medicine through supervising games on campus and treating injuries as well as keeping the teams safe. After being inspired by a friend in the program, she decided that it would be the right fit for her and could possibly lead into what she wants to do in the future, which is becoming a zoologist.
“I heard about it from one of the seniors; that was in it who recommended it to my mom,” McCue (10) said. “I found it was interesting because I like watching sports and the thrill of being out, watching a sport at night, helps the high school experience.”
Whilst managing both of these commitments, McCue manages to stay on top of her schoolwork and maintains an excellent GPA in rigorous courses. She puts work into everything she does and the results are nothing short of her hard work and effort. She preaches the importance of hard work to her peers and friends and assures them that it is all it takes.
“She is very optimistic and a hard worker,” Emma Arballo (10) said. “She doesn’t like to give up and she tries her best at everything. Even if she complains, it doesn’t stop her from achieving her goals.”
Despite being heavily concentrated on her school priorities, McCue still is able to have a regular teenage lifestyle. Which involves hanging out with her friends and worrying less about school which she feels that others focus too much on. With her friends, McCue is a different person as she is able to release the pressure of school and sports and relax.
“London [is] kind, positive, and smart,” Georgina Hernandez (10) said. “She always sees the bright side and makes others feel valued.”
The high school experience can be overshadowed by a lot of negative elements and they occasionally get in the way of all the good things high school has to offer. McCue, who always tries to see the best in things, had learned a lot from her experiences in high school extracurriculars, which have shaped who she is today.
“My high school coaches have [made me] more disciplined,” McCue said. “And I feel like I have learned how to take accountability, and work hard.”
