Micah Smith, a Union Pines High School senior, is featured as February’s student-athlete spotlight.
Unions Pines girls lacrosse is only in its third season, becoming a team sport from a club sport in 2020. COVID-19 affected its inaugural season, and Union Pines won one of three games.
Micah, 17, started playing lacrosse last year. Looking for a sport to play, her friends convinced her to try out. Micah is a defensive player; she plays high and low.
“Since it’s my senior year, I’m looking forward to it being a fun season and to go out with a good bang,” said Micah.
When Micah isn’t playing lacrosse, she is busy giving back to her school and community and is a part of other clubs and church activities.
Micah is a member of Serve our School, the LEO-Lion Program (LEO) and Best Buddies. In LEO, Micah has assisted with decorating nursing homes, running local elementary school festivals, participating in packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child, sending thank-you cards to veterans, and is active in other events after school.
Micah is a part of the Best Buddies program, volunteering her time and offering support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has been paired with Wallace for three years, and they have become best friends.
“During the week, I go see him, and sometimes I go eat lunch with him, and sometimes I just take him a gift or candy,” said Micah. “We also have club day, so I will spend my club period with him.” With Best Buddies, Micah also helps assist with the Special Olympics.
Micah is on the leadership team at church, teaching and assisting with the middle school experience program. She also runs the lighting during Sunday morning worship.
Micah was nominated for the student-athlete spotlight by her assistant lacrosse coach, Tabitha Moses.
“This is only her second year with our team, but through hard work and determination, she finds herself on our starting lineup most games,” said Moses. “Micah maintains a positive attitude and is fun to be around. She is well-liked and respected by both her teammates and coaches. She is definitely a star in our eyes. We will miss her greatly when she graduates.”
“I love all my coaches; coach Todd is always good at constructive criticism,” said Micah. “If I do something wrong when I’m out there, the first thing I do when I get called off is come ask what I did wrong, so I can fix it. He is always good at instructing me and has a great coaching ability. We have coach T, who is like the mom coach. She makes sure we are all good and safe.”
Striving to get good grades and be a great student, Micah is on the A/B honor roll. She plans to attend Daytona State College in Florida after graduation, majoring in hospitality.
“I plan to be a flight attendant and continue my modeling career,” said Micah.
“I am grateful for this award [February’s student-athlete spotlight] because it has a lot to do with sentimental things, and I’m a sentimental person,” added Micah. “I value school, but I value the world, being kind, and doing good. I’m grateful for the award because it has to do with more than grades and school. I feel that is most important and matters more; it doesn’t always matter how smart you are.”
To nominate a student-athlete to be featured in this series, please email [email protected].
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Curtis Self.
