The Power of Intentionality (Part II)

We’re working with a high school volleyball player who’s as passionate about marine biology and ocean conservation as she is about her sport. She volunteers at beach cleanups, is learning to scuba dive, and intentionally selects science courses that fuel her long-term goal of studying marine ecosystems in college. Today’s blog is an example of intentionality and how to take the next step towards connecting the dots.

Intentionality is about making choices that reflect your values and your vision for the future. For this student athlete, every decision connects back to her love for the ocean, and that connection shows up in every part of her story.

Academic Alignment

As a junior this year, she’s taking AP Environmental Science and Marine Biology, not just to check boxes, but to understand the ecosystems she hopes to protect. Her coursework gives her context for the real-world challenges she’s already seeing in her volunteer work. Since she will have already maxed out her course offerings, we’ve been exploring some online courses as well as dual enrollment options for her senior year. This January she will be registering for Eckerd College Marine Science Summer Program (a school that she also has athletic interest in).

Athletic Focus

On the volleyball court, she’s developing teamwork, discipline, and focus, the same traits she’ll need when conducting field research or collaborating with a conservation team. Her drive in practice mirrors the persistence it takes to study complex marine environments. You’ve heard it thousands of times because it’s true: there’s really no substitute for the lessons learned as a student athlete.

Community Engagement

Her weekend beach cleanups aren’t just about service; they’re about leadership and advocacy. She rallies teammates to join her, turning a local effort into a community movement. By sharing thoughtful reflections on social media, she’s raising awareness for sustainability and showing colleges that her leadership extends well beyond athletics. We’re working together to establish a club at her high school. This will organically demonstrate everything that she’s already doing, but in a manner that will also promote a long-term vision that she has. Through her inclusive approach to growing her club, she will create a community that’ll carry out her vision long after she graduates.

Personal Growth

Learning to scuba dive isn’t just for fun. It’s a step into her future. Each dive deepens her curiosity and gives her hands-on experience in the underwater ecosystems she dreams of studying. She’s literally immersing herself in her purpose. This is another example of how everything can be tied together in pursuit of one goal: a life built around passion, curiosity, and learning by doing. What begins as an adventure becomes a pathway toward discovery, as every skill, class, and experience connects back to her larger vision. She’s not just exploring the ocean; she’s building skills and confidence in pursuit of her goals.

Digital Presence

Currently, her digital presence is reflective of a typical high school student with aspirations of playing college athletics. Her X account is more geared towards recruitment, while Instagram is more socially aligned with her friends. She hasn’t taken this next step in “building out” her social media yet, but that’s where we’ll work together. We’ll get that started together and soon enough, she will be documenting her journey by posting photos from volunteer events, sharing gratitude for mentors, and reflecting on what she’s learning via LinkedIn. Her online presence will demonstrate a clear, authentic story about who she is and what she values.

Why This Matters

This student athlete’s path shows what happens when your academics, athletics, community work, and personal interests all connect around one theme. She’s not just stacking achievements; she’s building a story of purpose.

When a college coach, admissions officer, or future NIL partner sees her profile, they see authenticity, alignment, and direction from a student-athlete who knows who she is and where she’s going.

Intentionality isn’t about doing more. It’s about connecting what you already do to the person you’re becoming.

Every class, every post, every practice, and every choice can contribute to your larger story when you act with purpose. It’s also okay if you have no idea where to start. That’s where we can help you take the next step!