Jun 15, 2009 3 min read

While it may have been a disappointing experience, Geibel Catholic’s Emily Solan recognizes that the Lady Gators’ close loss to Beaver County Christian in the WPIAL volleyball championship match last November was a classic experience. “(The loss) still feels anguishing, but it was a really great match. I wish that I could be back in that moment again,” she said. While Solan was a key member of the Geibel volleyball team in the role of right outside hitter, she also has been very active in school and fulfilled the honor of being the valedictorian of the class of 2009 as the top ranked student. She is the daughter of Ceil and Jerry Solan of Acme, and has been chosen as Geibel’s female scholar/athlete for this year. Solan and her fellow scholar/athletes will be honored at the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame banquet, to be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at Anthony’s Lakeside Party Center. For more information about the banquet, call 724-430-4100, extension 4886.

Solan said the achievements of the Lady Gators volleyball team extended much deeper than wins and losses. “I liked all four of the teams that I played with, but this was the closest team of all.”

She even enjoyed the long bus rides to road games. “There were times that it was hard to work at my studies, but it helped to be involved in a sport. We’d sit on the bus and do our homework together with friends, our study buddies and we challenged each other in the classes we shared,” she said.

Among her most loyal supporters were her parents, older sister Caitlin, and younger siblings Neil and Haley. She said Caitlin, Neil and Haley sometimes complained about having to travel to matches, but became deeply involved in cheering her on once the matches began.

When asked about her most influential faculty members, Solan said it was difficult to single out any one person. “I’ve had a lot of good teachers and all of my coaches have helped through the years.”

In addition to being the top speaker for graduation in May, she served as vice president of the National Honor Society, was a member of the Spanish Honor Society, participated in several of the school’s annual spring musicals, Peer Ministry and was on Student Council her junior year. Additionally, she serves as a lector at St. Raymond’s of the Mountain Parish in Donegal.

As she looks ahead to attending Westminster College to major in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, Solan said she has mixed feelings. “I’m excited to move on. While I’m going to miss high school, I’m ready to go beyond to the next level.”

Her words of advice to fellow students: “Never give up and always persevere. Don’t become stressed out over the little things. Just keep working on what you are doing.” Emily Solan and Mick Betler are Geibel Catholic High School’s Scholar Athletes for 2009. Herald_Standard Photo by John F. Brothers