Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools - May/June 2019 | Page 14

Cuthbertson High junior competes on Greece national team at European soccer tournament On March 14, Cuthbertson High junior Toni Tsoukalas boarded a plane to Budapest. She’s been overseas to visit her extended family in Greece several times in previous years, but this trip to Europe would be completely different. That’s because Toni is now competing as part of the Greece WU17 national soccer team at the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) tournament, the second most watched soccer tournament in the world after FIFA World Cup. “To make the World Cup, each area of the world has its tournament. This is Europe’s tournament,” Toni said. “Just to be able to say that I have the opportunity to play these amazing soccer teams from Europe is so cool.” Toni’s road to the UEFA began when her grandfather, an avid soccer fan who lives in Greece, began posting videos and highlights of her Cuthbertson High soccer games. Those videos eventually caught the eye of the Greek national team’s coach, who invited Toni to the team’s training camp and tryouts over the summer. Not too long afterwards, Toni joined the WU17 Greece team and embarked on a series of scrimmages that ultimately led her to the tournament’s qualifying rounds where she’s since competed against teams from Northern Ireland, Kazakhstan, and Switzerland. “My family is really proud because it’s a really big deal. Wherever you’re from, you’re going to feel love for your country, so my family is really excited,” she said. “My grandparents were 103 West South Main St. • Historic Downtown Waxhaw crying because they were so happy. It was great.” Being the only American on her team has been an awesome experience because everyone is genuinely kind and welcoming, Toni said. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s fluent in both Greek and Register Now! French, she added with a laugh. Although she’s not able to participate in all of the team’s Space is limited! practices, as they meet several times in Greece throughout the year, Toni keeps in shape through her participation in sports at her high school as well as a local traveling soccer team. That strict focus also extends to her academics as Toni also works tirelessly maintaining high grades in her honors and Advanced Placement classes. As a junior, Toni has already committed to High Point University, where she plans to be a pre-med major. But right now, she’s focused on joining her teammates to face off against fierce competitors from England, Hungary and Georgia later this month. If her team makes it through this round, they’ll have the opportunity to play in the WU17 EURO finals in May. Soccer is and always has been Toni’s passion since she was Visit our website for camp dates and registration information. four years old, and the fact that this is a once-in-a-lifetime www.thebeanandbelle.com experience is not lost on her. 704-607-6405 • [email protected] “I’m so nervous, but I know it’s going to be fun. I just have to keep reminding myself that they’re 17-year-old girls just like Whether it be painting, drawing, or sculpting, I am,” she said. “Soccer has always been really good for me our uniquely designed summer camps will give your budding because it keeps me focused and is such a positive outlet. At the artist a chance to spread their wings and CREATE! end of the day, I’m going to remember the memories that I’m fortunate to make right now.” The Bean and Belle Art Studio Summer Art Camp 12 • May/June 2019 • Parent Teacher Magazine