Perseverance and Going Pro: Sonoma Kasica ’24

Sonoma Kasica’s earliest sports-related win at Shorecrest was a Booster Club-sponsored “Punt, Pass and Kick” competition when she arrived at the School in fifth grade, a victory that wouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone who had known her. “Sports have always been a big part of her life, she loves to watch sports, and she was super athletic and super competitive.” says her mother, Amy Maynard.

Since demonstrating her football prowess as a new member of Shorecrest community, she has racked up an impressive list of achievements as a soccer goalkeeper and a javelin thrower. Having played soccer since the age of three, Sonoma says, “My parents always reminded me to be coachable, to take advice, and to be humble.” She has taken those parental teachings to heart, becoming a well-liked, focused high achiever without a whiff of self-importance.

Despite her unwavering commitment to soccer, Coach Mark Brown convinced her to add javelin to her athletic pursuits after seeing her throw a 40-yard touchdown pass in a ninth grade powderpuff football game. “She has very high coachability; and I think she has impressive selfdiscipline and an incredible desire to compete and improve. I find her ability to process information and apply it second to none,” he says. “She’s a four-time state champion in girls’ javelin; and in Shorecrest’s history there’s never been a three-time state champion in any sport, male or female. Her overwhelming success has been truly remarkable; and having a front row seat to school and state history being made has been amazing.”

With many great sports memories to choose from, Sonoma cites two recent favorites. “In soccer, it had to be representing at the Pan Am Games and getting to wear my last name on my jersey.” As part of the U.S. Under-19 Women’s Youth National Team in those games in Chile last fall, she got to celebrate their win over Argentina for the bronze medal. In javelin, she chooses last summer’s participation at the Nike Nationals Track and Field Meet in Oregon. “Being an All-American and being with all those girls and being able to place fourth and PR-ing at the competition at Hayward Field was so cool!”

Her soccer skills were recognized on an international level last year when she was invited to compete with the U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Soccer Team in England, which included an international training camp. According to the United States Soccer Federation, “These camps are an important step toward identifying a pool of players who will compete for future places on our Women’s National Teams, and maybe one day, in the FIFA World Cup and/or Olympic Games.”

Sonoma’s interests and talents aren’t limited to sports, however. History is her favorite subject, and she says, “I’m definitely a nerd. I love to watch documentaries because I think it’s really interesting to learn where we came from.” An avid artist, she finds that painting, especially when she’s listening to music (any genre except country!) is very relaxing and calming. Also, she has been on Student Council for four years, and served as vice president her senior year.

“I wanted to be that person that people could come to because I think it’s important for students to have a voice. I like to be able to communicate to teachers what students are thinking and being a representative for the student body.”

She counts visual arts teacher Charla Gaglio among her favorite teachers because she can talk to her about anything. Gaglio, who has also been her advisor for the past three years, says, “She’s the whole package – academically, artistically, and athletically very strong. Sonoma’s a leader on and off the field, but she’s also a genuinely nice person. I have truly never seen her act out in any kind of negative way. She has a very tight, close circle of friends who have all different kinds of strengths. They’re so supportive of each other, and I get the impression that they keep each other grounded.”

Sonoma says the opportunity to develop close bonds with people at Shorecrest actually helped her search for a college that would be a good fit. “Shorecrest has helped me in so many ways. I’ve made really strong friendships. You’re able to develop relationships with teachers here, and I think I’ve had a maximum of 14 kids in a class. You’re able to contribute, talk and debate. I wanted a smaller school where I could have the same kind of relationships and that same dynamic.”

She found what she wanted at Notre Dame, which she’ll be attending in the fall as a psychology major, with a specific interest in criminal psychology. She will also continue to play soccer at the collegiate level for the Fighting Irish.

“I knew as soon as I stepped on that campus that I wanted to go there. On the way home I said, ‘This is my dream.’”

Although she’ll miss friends and family, she says, “I’m looking forward to getting on campus and experiencing life outside of Florida, where I can be independent and an individual.”

A career as a criminal psychologist will have to wait, however. “I want to play pro soccer – either here or overseas — for as long as I can,” Sonoma says with a characteristic combination of focus and certainty. And those who know her know that any goal she sets is definitely within reach.