Malaika Bigirindavyi, a freshman at Park, finds a way to express herself in her free time through sports and being active.

Her favorite sport she participates in is soccer, which she started doing at a very young age.

“Everyone in my family has played soccer at some point, so it sort of runs in the family,” Bigirindavyi said.

The exposure to soccer at such a young age because her whole family has, at some point in their lives, been involved in the sport, brought early interest and love for the game, according to Bigirindavyi.

Malaika holds one member of her family as the most important role model in her soccer career because of the passion he has for the game. This role model is her father, Jean-Paul, who according to Bigirindavyi, had high aspirations for the sport in his youth as well.

Jean-Paul, who grew up in Burundi, a small country in Africa, had a tragic event that altered his life and involvement in the sport at a young age.

“My dad grew up in Africa and would play street soccer everyday. He was hoping to grow up and play professional, but at age 24 he lost his left knee down when he stepped on a land mine and now he can’t play anymore,” Bigirindavyi said.

This event was hard on Jean-Paul because he lost something he loved to do, according to Malaika. Although, he still finds ways to involve himself in the game through coaching and having his children play the sport.

Although Jean-Paul lost a game he found joy in, he passes an appreciation for it through Malaika by supporting her and providing positive feedback.

“He never gives up on me and always tells me something I can improve on,” Bigirindavyi said.

Soccer has played a large role in her life, and through it, shows the athletic and active minded attitude she has.

Malaika is also a member of the 2014 girls varsity soccer team.