Noelia Cruz came to KCKCC mainly for the opportunity to continue playing the sport she loves. However, it turned out to be so much more than that.
“There is such a family-orientated community at KCKCC,” she said. “One of my favorite things about being a student athlete at this college is how easy our academic advisors make it for us when it comes to scheduling classes.”
Soccer has always played a significant part of her life since childhood. It was a way to
bond with her dad, providing solace from life's challenges.
“It makes my problems go away.” she said. “I’m also lucky to have gained friends for life along my journey here at KCKCC.”
Despite feeling burnt out at one point, she realized during her last club game that she couldn't imagine not continuing to play. The camaraderie and friendships she developed through soccer, particularly during that last game, were deeply meaningful to her.
“I didn’t know I wanted to play in college. I was burnt out,” she said. “But then I played my last club soccer game, and it made me realize that I couldn’t stop. I had to find a way to keep playing.”
She said KCKCC is a place where both the coaches and teammates contribute to a welcoming environment. Cruz said she appreciates the support she receives not only on the field but also in the classroom, crediting the counselors for their guidance in preparing her for the future. The smaller community, she said, is one of the college’s biggest strengths, noting the personalized help students receive.
On the field, Cruz is proud of her team's performance, especially against tough opponents in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC). Looking ahead, she sees the responsibility of leadership shifting to the sophomores as they mentor incoming freshmen, and she believes in the team's potential to succeed in the upcoming season.
“The sophomores next year are going to have to become leaders to the incoming freshman,” she said. “We have a lot of good returners, and we know what we're going to need to do to win those tough conference games.”
