Alexandra Menendez '24 Recruiting Profile

There is nothing like the feeling of running on the grass with the ball at my feet just running. The feeling of the wind against my skin, breathing in the fresh cold air. To me, this is the best feeling you can feel and it’s addicting. This journey has not always been an ever lasting love between me and this sport, but it has become one. My name is Alexa Menendez, I am currently a junior attending West Anchorage High School. I have lived in Anchorage, Alaska my whole life surrounded by the wondrous nature around me. Although this sport has created various opportunities for me, it hasn’t always been easy.

Living in Alaska, there aren’t many club teams in my age group. For most of my life I have either been playing with girls older or younger, which can be a challenge either way. I began my journey at Anchorage Youth Soccer Club competing at the competitive level at age 7. I continued on with that club until the age of 11 when they could no longer do more for me. I wanted to improve myself and in that moment needed competition in order to drive myself. I then transferred to Cook Inlet Soccer Club where I improved my ball handling skills and found a new perspective on how to play the game. After some time, I became unhappy with myself and in the way I was playing. I began to put myself down more and lost my love for this incredible game we call soccer. With needing to find myself and the love for the sport I went back to my old club where the people who were coaching helped me find my confidence once again, and help improve my way of thinking. They pushed me to improve, and drive to be a better player both on and off the field. 

Soccer has been my teacher in life, the good and the bad. Communication hasn’t always been easy for me, especially when I was younger. By being involved within this sport it has shown me the importance of finding my voice and voicing my opinions when the time is right. Although the value of communication has its importance, I value my ability to be able to improve. Although the importance of wanting to dive myself to become better, it also benefits my goals within my education and wanting to do all that I can in order to achieve the standards I have set for myself. My future plans consist of being in the medical field and eventually becoming a nurse practitioner working in a hospital. I am currently taking IB and AP classes in order to better myself and prepare for upcoming classes. With my GPA currently standing at a 3.91, I am wishing to improve it in order for me to get a grasp in my education.