Editor’s note: In this fifth article of a multipart series, the Post shares the story of Shieh Su Ying Scholar Athlete Award finalist Sophia Fernandez - captain of Guam High’s basketball and volleyball teams and class valedictorian. Over the next several weeks, the stories of the 12 other Shieh finalists will be shared to inspire the next generation of scholar-athletes.
As most student-athletes enrolled in the Department of Defense Education Activity can attest, forging meaningful, lifelong friendships and creating team chemistry is no easy task - transfer orders often uproot students and families, leaving teams stripped of talent and squashing blossoming relationships.
But for Sophia Fernandez, a 17-year-old senior at Guam High School and a Shieh Su Ying Scholar Athlete Award finalist, it became her mission to build deep friendships within both the Panthers’ volleyball and basketball teams.
“As an athlete, I feel that my greatest achievement was gaining meaningful relationships with my teammates. Coming from a DoDEA school, it is often that you see people come and go within a short period of time, so creating genuine friendships with my teammates was important so that we could effectively work as a team and build lifelong friendships, despite the time we had together before,” said Sophia Fernandez, Guam High School girls basketball team’s most valuable player.
She also told the Post that her faith in God - in an ever-changing world - provided her with stability.
“As a Catholic, I have always been rooted in my faith, with the reassurance that I will always be able to turn to God, who is unchanging, especially when the path is unclear,” she said.
As one of 16 finalists islandwide, Sophia Fernandez said she is honored by Dr. Thomas Shieh’s recognition and understands its importance for personal growth and future achievement.
“Being chosen as a Shieh Su Ying scholar means reaching another milestone, helping me grow on my own individual path,” she said. “This achievement has not only instilled a new sense of confidence, but also gratitude for all the help and support I have gained from those around me. Along the way, I have given up a lot of time spent with my friends and family in order to focus on both my athletics and academics. A lot of people that know me would say that I am very reserved because I spent a lot of time with myself, focusing on my goals.”
Whether she is singing or playing the piano - two of her favorite pastimes, which she said provide “a safe space for me to express myself” - or continuing to level up in sports or academics, Sophia Fernandez is committed to excellence, a trait she inherited from her parents, Chris and Azurdee Fernandez.
“My biggest inspiration is my dad and my coach, Chris Fernandez. Having made a name for himself on the island years ago, I was inspired to become like him in a way. My dad has always encouraged me to give my all no matter what. He has taught me that while talent is important, being coachable and working hard will get you farther. These lessons have taught me how to be the best version of myself on and off the court,” she said. “My mom, who is also my teacher, has been one of my most influential role models in school. I have always been inspired by the abundance of knowledge she has, but also the confidence she carries with her wherever she goes.”
Sophia Fernandez said she was also inspired and motivated by Laura Sablan, her digital design and communication teacher.
“Her teaching style for my digital design and communications classes has taught me how to be open minded and creative in more ways that I had known before,” she said.
With high school behind her and her next move calculated, Sophia will matriculate into the University of Guam, where she plans to study mathematics.
“I decided to stay on Guam because I was offered the merit scholarship and wanted to go into their mathematics program,” said Sophia Fernandez, National Honor Society vice president, former student body class president and valedictorian. “Academically, I would like to eventually receive my doctorate degree, like my tåta (grandfather Juan Fernandez), in mathematics or science.”