Connellsville
Fayette County Student/Athlete Scholarship Program Humble Rulli leads by example
CONNELLSVILLE – Don’t mistake Heather Rulli for a church mouse.
She’s not that quiet.
Humble and soft-spoken paint a more accurate description.
Still, the mild-mannered Rulli served as one of three captains on Connellsville’s WPIAL playoff softball team. Not because of a fiery nature, but because of a willingness to lead by example.
“I feel you shouldn’t tell people how good you are, you should show them,” Rulli said. “I tried to show (my teammates) through my actions, not by talking.”
As it turns out, Rulli’s actions, academically as well as athletically, have made more noise than any scream could.
Rulli was selected as the top female student/athlete at Connellsville Area High School and will receive a $500 scholarship through the Fayette County Student/Athlete Scholarship Program.
The program, sponsored by Davis and Davis Attorneys at Law in conjunction with the Herald-Standard, will provide $7,000 in scholarship money to 14 of Fayette County’s best and brightest student/athletes.
The Scholarship Program will culminate with a banquet, to be held Sunday at Uniontown Country Club. At that time, each honoree will receive $500 towards a college education. The event will be videotaped by HSTV for tape-delayed broadcast.
Along with playing first base for the Lady Falcons’ softball team, Rulli also played basketball and volleyball, where she “played all over the place.”
No matter the sport, Rulli’s mantra remained the same.
“If you’re yelling at somebody, that doesn’t get the point through,” Rulli said. “It’s best to show them that you can do what you want them to do.”
Pretty smart thinking from the soon-to-be high school graduate. But that’s not surprising, considering Rulli, the daughter of Tony and Marygrace Rulli, ranks 19th in a class of 429 and carries a 3.7 grade-point average. Rulli will continue her education at Slippery Rock University, where she will major in Physical Therapy. Being chosen for the Fayette County Student/Athlete Scholarship Program served as a perfect culmination to a successful high school career.
“I was so excited,” she said. “It showed that all the hard work in class and while playing sports paid off. I feel very honored to be able to represent my school.”
When she wasn’t busy earning one of her seven letters between softball, volleyball and basketball, Rulli was taking part in extra-curricular activities. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Interact Club, Who’s Who Among American High School Students, Academic All-Stars and also took part in a blood drive.
Juggling three sports, homework and numerous academic endeavors has never been easy. Throw in spending time with 16-year-old brother Andrew and …
“You don’t have enough time,” Rulli said.
But …
“You always have to give all you have, because in the end, everything will turn out pretty good for you. Sports, schoolwork … it never ended. But it kept me busy and out of trouble. If I didn’t have all the stuff to do, I’d be bored.”
Boredom hasn’t been an option. Nor has losing her cool after a minor setback. Just when she feels like screaming, Rulli remembers what has got her this far.
“I’m a competitor, and I hate losing. It feels like all the hard work that you’ve put in has been lost too. But you can’t get off track. You can’t sulk after you lose one.”
Pretty smart thinking.
Pretty smart thinking indeed.