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Shalena Prakash lives for the excitement of hockey. As a center on her team, she loves the fast pace of the game and the adrenaline that comes with every shift.  From taking important faceoffs to proving herself in coed hockey, Shalena’s hockey journey shows her dedication and passion for the sport. 

Q: What do you love the most about playing hockey?

A: I love the adrenaline rush and the fast-paced energy of hockey. 

Even if you’re down with two minutes to go, you can still win in the final seconds; it’s always exciting.

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Q:  Can you explain a time when you faced a setback in hockey and how you overcame it?

A: Since I’ve always played coed hockey, I’ve often been on teams with boys.  During my first season, some teammates believed hockey should only be for males.  I overcame this with the support of my sisters, who were also on my team, and together we proved our skill and earned our place on the ice.  Once I integrated into the team, gender no longer became an issue.

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Q: How do you manage your time and energy between dressing up, hockey, animal care, and show choir?

A: I have to try to master time management.  This requires extreme focus for my work as soon as I get back from school.  Some school nights, the first time I get back from extracurriculars can be as late as 10 pm, which causes me to sacrifice sleep in order to keep up with my school work and other commitments.

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Q: What are your future goals, and how do you see various interests playing a role in achieving them?

A: In the future, I hope to pursue a career in the science field.  My experience caring for animals has sparked a deep interest in understanding living organisms and how to help them.  Hockey has given me skills in determination/teamwork, and show choir has helped me build confidence and creativity.

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Q:  How do your extracurricular activities reflect your personal values and passions?

A: My extracurricular activities reflect my personal values of compassion, dedication, and perseverance.  Show choir allows me to bring joy to others through performing, hockey shows my dedication and drive to constantly improve, and animal care reflects my responsibility.  Each of my activities gives a glimpse of who I am as a person and makes up part of my character.

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1 in 2164 Interview for Tartan Media's Morning Announcements

Selah Gonzales, Assistant Sport Editor