Adriana Merriam

Adriana Merriam continues to dominate on and off the field, volunteering to coach and co-captaining this year’s varsity team. She began her career under the encouragement of her uncle, who plays for the Honduras National Team.

“I started playing soccer when I could walk,” she jokes. “My uncle really influenced me to start playing soccer, and I spent a lot of time with him when I was younger. He always kept me outside kicking the ball.”

Merriam leant her skills to Jahbat and Chicago Fire before landing on FC United and the Wildkits, where she currently plays.

Within the team, Merriam demonstrates a strong leadership commitment, with exceptional skill that has distinguished her as a player. She’s also had the ability to create cherished bonds throughout senior year.

“I think [my teammates] would say that I’m very determined, disciplined and hardworking, and I want to bring out the best in myself along with everyone else on the team.” Merriam remarks.

That determination and hard work these past four years at ETHS have gotten Merriam far as an athlete and also as a student. She committed to Baylor University as a D1 soccer commit and plans on majoring in kinesiology.

“I’m so excited to train almost every day and do everything at the next level,” she says. “I’ve worked so hard and to see it finally pay off is rewarding unlike anything else.”

Along with the extensive practices that come with being a varsity athlete, Merriam still has time for soccer volunteering opportunities to do around Evanston.

Girls Play Sports, a non-profit program that offers activities for Evanston girls to learn to play and compete in clinics and camps, employs passionate students like Merriam to help run their programs and mentor young athletes.

“I love to help out with Girls Play Sports, volunteering coaching teams, just activities that relate to soccer,” says Merriam. “I want to inspire others to play the sport that I love.”