Duncan High School junior Alyssa Harvey learned “patience, persistence and positivity” while sidelined with an ACL and meniscus tear in her right knee.

Harvey, who started playing soccer when she was only 4 years old, missed her sophomore year with the injury.

“Sitting out was really hard for me to do, but I continued to work hard and grow stronger with a positive mindset,” Harvey said. “This helped me continue through the season and physical therapy. I had to be patient in my growth physically knowing it would take time to recover.”

Duncan girls soccer coach Dillon Southerland called Harvey a “very hard-working, selfless player that knows how to get her teammates involved.” The Demons thrived from her leadership as she returned to the pitch for her junior year.

“Leadership, to me, means to have passion and a purpose. Being a leader, you may have a purpose to accomplish, but you will never accomplish it without passion to do so,” Harvey said. “Passion is what gives you the drive to keep going even when things aren’t going your way.”

Harvey displays her talent for leadership in the Lucky Circle Club, a female-led club which provides community volunteer work during the summer. She is also a lifelong member of Faith Church and is part of both the Oklahoma and National Honor Society.

“Having the opportunity to volunteer and serve others has impacted me greatly. Getting to volunteer and serve gives you the opportunity to reach out to my very own community and make connections with people I never knew,” Harvey said. “I now know more people in my community which has impacted my social communication skills. This has also built my confidence as a leader. Before you can become a leader, you have to learn to serve first.”