Devyn Diolazo '16 Recruiting Profile

     My main collegiate goal is to attend a reputable college that can provide me with rigorous academics, as well as an enriched and varied college experience. I plan to focus on three main goals: to excel in my academics, pay attention to my health, and learn to be an efficient self-advocate.
     In regards to my academics, I have always been a 4.0 student, and I am committed to achieving quality and excellence in all classes I attend. I will set goals for each class and work out plans as to how I will achieve those goals and earn the best grades possible. Academics are very important to me, and it is essential that I not just learn what I'm taught, but synthesize ideas across broad areas of knowledge to enable me to use what I learn in various future situations. 
     Focusing on my health, by eating right and getting proper rest and exercise, will not only contribute to my overall health, but it will also help me concentrate and excel in my classes. I plan to be involved in lacrosse during college. Not only will it motivate me to remain at my ultimate level of fitness, but it will provide me with friends with common interests and fill me with pride while representing my school with passion.
     Learning to be a proactive and efficient self-advocate is important to me. My teachers and parents have taught me the importance of fighting my own battles and speaking up for myself. As I become more proficient with this, it will make me more independent and ready to face the world.
     I believe I am a good candidate for a college team for many reasons. First of all, just as I'm a fast learner in school and able to take what I learn and apply it to solve problems, I am also a fast learner in sports. I have attended many camps and trainings over the past few years and have been told that I am a very a "coachable" player, as I am able to quickly process what I'm told and immediately apply it on the field to improve my skills as a team player. I'm naturally competitive and have been involved in team sports my whole life. I've been told I have strong leadership qualities, on and off the field, and I have embodied captain roles on each team I've played for. I bring an encouraging and positive energy to the team that creates good team chemistry, which is reflected on the field during games. I was chosen the school ATHLETE OF THE MONTH during both my freshman and sophomore seasons on the Varsity lacrosse team. As a freshman, I made ALL-LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION (2013), and made FIRST TEAM ALL LEAGUE (2014) my sophomore year. One of my proudest moments was when I was chosen as the MVP, as a sophomore, by my 2014 varsity lacrosse team.
     I believe what might make me different from other recruits is that I am able to balance the lifestyle of a student athlete, realizing that the "student" aspect comes first, as it is important to perform well both in the classroom and on the field. Also, I have many interests besides playing sports. I've enjoyed being part of the drama program at my school, I'm a talented vocalist and hope to land a role in this year's musical. I've also enjoyed volunteering my time to assist special needs students during the summer. I'm currently working on creating my own non-profit club at my high school called "Back of the Net". Through this club, sponsors donate a chosen amount of money for each goal made during the lacrosse season to raise enough money to purchase malaria nets for the underprivileged in the Philippines, my father's place of birth. I hope to expand the club to include goals made by all the sports teams at my high school!
     I hope this snapshot of me gives you some insight as to who I am and why I would be an asset to your college lacrosse team!