Samantha Drescher has a lot to look back on from her final year at St. Thomas More Collegiate.
Drescher was voted her team MVP at the B.C. AA provincial volleyball championships, where STM placed sixth, tops among all Lower Mainland schools. She also made the Commissioner's XI list at the provincial AA soccer championships, where the STM Knights were among the pre-tournament favourites before placing fourth overall.
"I was real excited and flattered," said Drescher regarding her selection as co-athlete of the year. "I know there's a lot of competition in Burnaby. I felt lifted up and accomplished."
The career honour roll student also got involved on the sidelines, helping manage the Knights' varsity girls' basketball team for the 2012 winter season.
"I'll probably remember just the people, they definitely make the memories," said Drescher. "It was a lot of fun. It got me into a different group of girls. I really enjoyed it."
Drescher, who played a full season of adult women's soccer with the premier division North Shore Renegades of the Metro Women's Soccer League, will be playing for the University of British Columbia varsity team on scholarship in the upcoming fall season.
"It was a real surprise," Drescher said, when she was contacted by UBC women's head soccer coach Mark Rogers at the end of 2011 about playing with the Thunderbirds after high school graduation.
"I was kind of afraid of what to do after high school, so it was kind of a reality check. I just didn't have to worry to see where I would get in. I already had that door open for me."
Prior to her final year of high school, Drescher had already decided to make every day count.
"I figured it's my last year. I would never see most of these people again, and I wanted to make the most of Grade 12," she said.
Drescher did just that. But besides the personal and team achievements, including back-to-back tournament MVPs at the Catholic soccer championships, Drescher got involved in school affairs, helping out with the pep squad, poster and dancing clubs.
She also helped out around the school and in the community at a local soup kitchen.
"I think the most rewarding aspect was getting to know everyone in my grade on a more personal level," she said.
Drescher also trains at a boxing gym and loves it.
"I do, I love it, I think it's a great cross-trainer. I think it's a great way to stay in shape and work out, but it's also a great way to relieve that stress," Drescher added.
She has even sparred a few times with her trainer, but as yet, has no plan to step into the ring with a real opponent, she said.
"Maybe, I might (fight) if I get good enough. I think it would a lot of fun."
She took up the sport as another way to help rehabilitate an ACL injury she suffered in 2010.
"I wanted to push myself a little more and Level 10 Fitness suggested Griffiths gym. I'm not going to quit that gym soon," Drescher added.
Contrastingly, Drescher was also a one-time, youngest-ever contestant in the Miss B.C. pagent in 2010.
While soccer has always been the mainstay for the now 18-year-old Burnaby resident, an overseas experience in Brazil with the People to People sports ambassadorship a year ago, left a lasting impression on her and opened another possibility to her - travel.
"We went to an orphanage and brought the kids toys and they put on a show. I just loved it," Drescher said. "It was everything - the people, my soccer team, the coaches that came to scout us, the leaders, the sightseeing - it was a life-changing experience.
"I definitely want to travel more and see the world."
