Sophia Calica was born in Glendale, California. She is currently a junior at Glendale High School, and she is the captain of the girls’ varsity golf team and the ASB Director of Rallies. Some of her other hobbies include playing lacrosse and being a member of the Girl Scouts. She has been a Girl Scout since she was little, but then she abruptly stopped once COVID hit. 

Sophia decided to rejoin the Girl Scouts again last year. She talked about how it is a bit stressful since she is competing for a Gold Award, where scouts have to show that they have made an impactful change in their community. To achieve this award, there are several requirements, and it involves a team of people to accomplish a meaningful project. 

“Being in ASB as well as in the Girl Scouts has allowed me to be a better leader,” Sophia said. She has also become very good at dealing with people’s different perspectives and listening to those people. Although it is tough, she has learned to be a role model for many, which allows for there to be a sense of community with her peers.

Sophia believes that, at times, it can be difficult to manage her schoolwork, her sports, and her personal life, but she manages her time wisely to get everything done. Most of the time, she completes her homework during class time, and since golf practices are usually long, it allows her to be stress-free and not have to worry about her schoolwork. 

The thing that initially made Sophia interested in playing golf was actually because she was pushed to try and do it by her father. “During COVID, my father would wake up both me and my three siblings at six a.m. to go and play golf before school started,” she explained. Although this was tiring for her, it allowed Sophia to be able to spend time with her father and her siblings. It also pushed her to do better in her life, while also playing golf. 

Sophia started playing golf when she was in sixth grade, but she didn’t start playing competitively until her freshman year. One of her proudest moments while playing for the GHS golf team was when she hit a two-under-par, which is also called an “eagle”. That is when a person scores two strokes less than the amount designated for that hole, which is a truly exceptional achievement. 

Sophia’s favorite course that she has ever played is the Scholl Canyon Golf Course. She said, “I enjoyed it because it is easy to get through, so it does not take a great amount of time.” Before a game, Sophia usually tries not to waste any of her energy, since she spends a lot of time in the sun when playing a course, which can tire her out very quickly.

Sophia believes that the reason she became captain of the varsity golf team is because she consistently practices. This has made her a motivated team member, which is exactly what every team needs in a leader. Her consistency has made her both a proficient and accomplished player. Although it is not easy being a captain, Sophia enjoys playing golf, and she would love to spread that love to others who are unfamiliar with the sport.  

Sophia motivates her teammates by telling them to keep their heads up and focus on the next hit, as she does not want their previous mistakes to define the rest of their match. The biggest challenge she has faced as a captain is encouraging her teammates to perform well when she is not playing at her best. It makes her feel like she can work to be a better role model. 

Sophia has high hopes for this current golf season. “I plan for the team to become closer and for the teammates to give their best effort in games as well as practices so that they can become better,” she said. After high school, she is not planning to play golf in college, unless she receives a scholarship, and she plans to major in biology.

Sophia is an inspiring role model to her peers, and she is a dedicated student as well as a team member. Every day, she is trying to make an impact on her community, and it has absolutely made a difference. Sophia’s passion for golf has led her to be an amazing leader. 

If you are interested in joining the girls’ golf team, contact Coach Anthony Mohr at [email protected]. Keep on swinging, Nitros!