Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
Thirza van der Weijda
NAME: Thirza van der Weijde
PARENTS: Pieter van der Weijde and Hermine van der Weijde
SIBLINGS: Brothers Niels, 29, and Pieter, 21; sisters Eefje, 28, and Willianne, 26.
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Right now in American high school, probably my choir class.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Hang out with my friends and horseback riding.
FAVORITE FOOD: Sushi
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Actually, everything. I like all kinds of music.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Gossip Girl
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A KID? Probably my bicycle.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? Attending the acting academy in Rotterdam, the city where I live. That’s my plan right now.
OTHER THAN YOUR PARENTS, WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE? My siblings. We have a really good connection and they kind of raised me when my parents weren’t there.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT SOCCER: Being part of a team and really feel the team spirit; to just be part of something.
POSITION: I’m an outside defender.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE IS YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY ON THE FIELD? Make sure the ball will not enter our goal.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? I love it. I have really love being a part of this team, that I’ve had a chance to experience something like this, an American team. It’s definitely one of the best highlights of my high school year in America.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SEASON SO FAR? Personally, how I’ve improved. At the beginning of the season, I couldn’t really play soccer but right now I know how to play soccer.
WHEN THE TEAM’S PLAYING WELL, WHAT GOING ON? We’re passing and moving, our intensity is high and we communicate. I think that’s the most important.
WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THE TEAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL THE REST OF THE SEASON? Keep doing what we’re doing, especially keep the intensity high and keep willing to work for it. Don’t think something will just happen. We have to work for it.
INDIVIDUALLY, WHAT ABOUT YOUR GAME ARE YOU MOST CONFIDENT ABOUT? Probably, step to the ball, go to the ball. I’m not afraid to step in front of somebody.
WHAT DO YOU WORK HARDEST TO IMPROVE? Doing more tricks with the ball and keeping my head up more.
AFTER YOU’RE THROUGH PLAYING SOCCER AT BHS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT IT? Definitely all the people I’ve met on my team. I have a really good relationship with my team and I’m going to miss them. Like I said before, it’s definitely the highlight of my whole experience. My soccer team, I wouldn’t trade them for anybody else.
