Knee Injury Won't Keep This Berkeley Star Student Athlete Down

BERKELEY, NJ — We all know student athletes who also bring their A-game to other parts of their lives.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know the individual stories behind the leaderboard.

This submission comes from Jennifer Lozada who nominated Thalia, her daughter, of Berkeley.

Star student athlete’s name

Thalia 12th grade

Star student athlete’s home state

New Jersey

Star student athlete’s Patch town

Berkeley

How do you know the star student athlete?

daughter

What sport does the star student athlete play?

Soccer & Bowling

Why do you believe the star student athlete should be recognized?

Thalia has been involved in sports while maintaining excellent grades throughout her educational career. She has been on the high honor roll and recently won awards in Art, Calculus and Technical Drawing. Thalia is a member of the National Honor Society and the Art National Honor Society. She currently is earning college credit for some of her high school classes and has been awarded the Stars Program - for being in the top 15% of her class. Thalia also gives back to her school and community. She has been a volunteer for the Challenger league since her freshman year, as well as a coach for the Berkeley Township Soccer Association in-house program for little kids just starting out in the sport. In April, Thalia severely injured her knee (ruptured ACL, torn meniscus & PCL & MCL). After surgery in June- She was determined to get back to her norm. As soon as she got the clearance from her doctor, she was back on the field this fall, coaching. Although she can't play soccer until at least January, she didn't let this ruin her attitude. Instead of missing her senior year on the CRHS girls soccer team, she decided to keep her feet wet and be a team manager. Thalia also works a few days a week on top of all the other activities and keeping up with physical therapy. She is striving toward a degree in Architecture. She will do great things because she is determined, intelligent and has a kind soul.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star student athlete?

She is a creative & artistic

Keep up the great work, Thalia!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.

Know an outstanding student athlete?

Nominate them here.