BY EMILEE MAE STRUSS
Photo by Emilee Mae Struss
Samantha Soares, Wood River High School senior, has played the violin for eight years, but wants to be a sports broadcaster.
In elementary school, Soares struggled with reading and talking in front of groups. Playing the violin, especially during solos, has helped her learn how to slow down and gain confidence in her ability to speak with grace.
“When I first started playing the violin, I wasn’t sure I enjoyed it,” Soares said. “And now, I love it.”
Soares says that she is now at the top of her class in reading. This semester, Soares is enrolled in astronomy, government, English, Spanish, applied math and, lastly, her favorite class, orchestra.
Soares now helps tutor younger violinists through the Sun Valley Summer Symphony Sinfonia Honor Program, an accelerated after-school program that prepares younger students for high school orchestra.
“It’s really fun to help younger students read sheet music or tune their instruments,” Soares said. “It also helps me learn more as well.”
Soares attributes a lot of her musical success to the encouragement of her violin teacher, Rebecca Martin, whom she trained under since fourth grade.
She is also inspired by the professional surfer, Bethany Hamilton. Hamilton lost her arm in a shark attack in 2003 and was afraid she’d never be able to surf again. However, with much patience and perseverance, Hamilton is now competing again.
“Hamilton’s story is inspiring to me because so many times when I struggled with reading, I wanted to give up,” Soares said. “In moments like that, you cannot be afraid and you just have to conquer it.”
When Soares graduates with the Class of 2019, she hopes to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. Soares plans to major in communications and minor in music.
“Another person that is inspiring to me is my brother,” Soares said. “He chose not to go to college right away and has traveled to almost every continent. He tells me that I only need to be myself and people will like me.”
For her last year at WRHS, Soares wants to attend many sports games and take notes on the announcers’ techniques—all in preparation for her dream job to be a broadcaster.