Student-Athlete Of The Month: Rachel Reed, Severna Park Girls Soccer

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In partnership with the Matt Wyble Team of Century 21 New Millennium, the Severna Park Voice’s Student-Athlete of the Month series seeks to recognize the many student-athletes in our area who make an impact not necessarily by way of statistics or stardom, but by their unique contributions. The quiet leader, the solid role player, the glue guy or gal, the community voice on or off the field — those are the kids we seek to recognize. Do you know a young person in our community making a positive impact through or alongside sports? Nominate them by contacting Colin Murphy at colin@severnaparkvoice.com.

The Severna Park girls soccer team had many talented players that powered the Falcons to a 15-3-2 season and an appearance in the state final this fall.

One of the valued contributors to the Falcons’ culture of excellence and positivity was senior Rachel Reed.

A reserve forward for the Falcons, Reed was not the team’s superstar, but she made an impact with her game minutes and by her approach to being a teammate.

“Rachel is the kind of player every coach wants on the team,” said Severna Park assistant coach Johan de Vicq. “Even though she didn’t get as much playing time as she would have liked, she worked hard every day, supported her teammates and did what was asked of her with a smile on her face. Over the last four years, she has grown to be a very impressive young woman, whose contagious laugh, attitude and dedication have made her one of the most loved and respected members of the SPHS team.”

Reed’s positive nature was something all her teammates gravitated toward and fed off of.

“Rachel Reed is the happiest person I know, but also the happiest soccer player I know,” said Severna Park senior teammate Chase Campbell. “Her laughter is infectious, and there’s a running joke on the team that whenever she has the ball at her feet, a huge smile is on her face. She brings positivity to everyone, no matter the playing time, age or skill level. She truly inspires people on and off the field.”

As Campbell noted, Reed’s positive contributions are not limited to the soccer field. With a 4.02 GPA, Reed is a mainstay on the honor roll, and this year she also joined with friends Alex Jones and Caroline Smith in August to start a local chapter of 100 Teens Who Care modeled after the Annapolis group. The local chapter continued the work of the school community in de-stigmatizing mental health issues by raising funds and awareness. In their first event, the chapter raised $1,000 for Ellie’s Bus.

“It is our goal to encourage teens to donate to nonprofit charities,” said Reed. “We wanted to inspire people our age to help others and show how small donations make huge impacts. We were ecstatic about what we did the first few months and are excited to hold future meetings and impact the community more.”

Prior to Reed’s efforts with 100 Teens Who Care, her volunteer pursuits have been numerous throughout high school. She works with the Maryland Animal Sanctuary in fundraising, events and dog fostering. She went on the popular WoodsWork mission trip this past summer to build a home for a needy family, and the Reed family makes food for My Sister’s Place homeless shelter. Around the holidays, Reed and her family volunteer for Backpack Buddies, and every Christmas her family wraps presents for homeless people in Baltimore.

Reed currently is an intern at NASA in the communications and outreach department, and for now she plans to pursue communications when she goes to college, possibly at the University of Maryland, her top choice.

As a longtime soccer player who also played lacrosse growing up and continues to play club soccer and scrub basketball, she said the experience of playing as been formative in how she views all aspects of her life.

“Being a teammate and playing sports so many years has definitely made me the person I am today,” Reed said.” It has showed me the importance of teamwork and leadership on and off the field, no matter your position on the team. And definitely — a little cliché but very true — having fun and just enjoying the opportunity. Also to be grateful for the amazing people I get to play with and be coached by. All of that has helped me be a better student, friend, sister and member of my community, by teaching me to always think of others and important leadership qualities like dedication, positivity and hard work.”

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