Mikayla LaRosa, a seventeen-year-old junior at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, is the winner of the Seattle Storm's National Girls and Women in Sports Day essay contest.

While writing a paper for her AP English class, Mikayla decided to look for a contest in which to enter her paper, saying, "I wanted to write about athletics and I found the contest online, so I guided my essay around that." Mikayla will receive $150, a personalized Seattle Storm jersey and recognition at a Storm game this season.

Part of her essay reads: "I have learned the meaning of sacrifice as my body takes another blow. I have learned the meaning of hard work as I push through the pain of another hurdle. I have learned the meaning of team - the selfless effort as one unit, together. And as we move forward as one team, every women athlete together, we seek to better the world of women's athletics for generations to follow in the hope that they are as fortunate as we were."

Mikayla has been a student leader for the past two years in the International School of Communications at M-PHS. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, she has been the recipient of many awards, including the Top Junior for M-PHS, and she received a scholarship through the Masonic Lodge. Recently, Mikayla won third place in a video contest for a short clip she produced for Hearing and Speech Awareness month in May.

"I am just really active in class and I like to get involved in school," said the honor student.

Not only is she motivated to do well in school, Mikayla has that same drive to do well on the volleyball court.

Mikayla has been playing on the varsity volleyball team at M-PHS for last three years and will co-captain next year's players. She also participates in a club volleyball team that requires practices three days a week and nationwide travel for games. The club team will be traveling to Miami this summer to participate in the Junior Olympics and meet teams from around the world.

With Mikayla's demanding schedule, she still tries to makes time to volunteer at volleyball camps, with her church and at school, where she is currently working on writing a constitution for her smaller learning community. "I like to do lots of things and try and keep myself busy," she commented.

While it's still early for the junior to make a firm decision on a college, Mikayla is visiting schools and talking with recruiters to see where she can find the best fit, incorporating her two passions in life--academics and volleyball.

"I am really motivated because I see the bigger picture. I enjoy having a good time in my education and sports," said Mikayla. "What you learn now is going to pay off in the long run."