CULLMAN, Ala. – In this interview, I talked to Cullman soccer player Shayley Vogelaar and she shared some of her favorite memories from her Bearcat days. One of her favorite things was the opportunity to play alongside some great seniors.
“Some of my favorite memories were the beach tournament trips that we would take each year to Gulf Shores. As a team, we would have so much fun, being able to bond together and spend time getting to know one another better. We would spend our down time by doing ‘skits’ and playing card games. While going on beach trips and just playing in regular season games were so amazing, I also had some of my favorite memories come from practices,” Vogelaar said. “My coaches always made practice fun. From the conditioning and weight room days to the pre-area game practices, they were always ready to be there for me and help me become the best version of myself. They truly embrace what it means to be dedicated. I don’t think I would have any of these great sports memories if it wasn’t for them.”
She added,
“It was a blast being able to play with these girls. Mimi, Abby, and Anna Beth have been my teammates for many years now, and I am so blessed that they were here for every step of the way with me. Each one of them taught me how to become a better person and friend. Mimi taught me how to be a leader. She was always there for me and was someone I could talk to easily. Abby taught me how to push myself beyond my limits. It has been an honor to play with her and create many memories with her on defense this year. Anna Beth taught me how to be strong. She was always making sure I kept my head up during hard practices or even at school, when I needed a friend. It has been so much fun to play with them. I can’t believe that our time playing together is over, and I’m so thankful that Cullman gave me the opportunity to create friendships with them that will last a lifetime. I will forever cherish our friendships and the team chemistry we have created over the past six years.”
Shayley got the chance to play for some incredible coaches during her time as a Bearcat and learned so much from them.
“They were the absolute best. It is hard to put into words how amazing they really are. They are the most dedicated people. Having spent hours upon hours with them over the years, I know that they have true passion for Cullman soccer. They embody what it means to be trusting, loyal, and dedicated to the team. They are true leaders. They always did what was best for us. From the hot summer runs and weightlifting, to meeting with us on cold mornings to run on the turf, they made sure to be there for us whenever we needed them. I learned so many valuable lessons from them, but the most important was how I can control my attitude and effort. It didn’t matter if you were the best player on the field; they wanted to see good attitude and effort.”
She added,
“Even if the game wasn’t going my way, I knew I couldn’t control the refs or the other team; however, I could control my attitude and effort. I will forever carry around that mentality as it will always be the two things I can always control. I am so thankful for my coaches, and their lessons throughout the years have not only helped me on the field, but they will help me as I begin my new chapter in life.”
She will deeply miss taking the field for Cullman next season and she talked about her favorite high school memories.
“While I will miss the practices and games, I will definitely miss spending time with my friends on the field. If I had a tough day at school, I would be able to escape from reality at practice and have fun with my teammates and coaches,” Vogelaar said. “I’ll miss the opportunity to have that escape. It is something I took for granted. One day, it is there, and the next day, it isn’t. It was always a fun time filled with laughter and jokes. My teammates and coaches hold a special place in my heart, and I’ll miss our team bonding on and off the field. Being able to put in the work and have fun at the same time was so rewarding, and it is something I’ll miss dearly.”
She added,
“One of my favorite high school memories was going to football games on Friday nights. The student section always has such a fun and electric atmosphere. I also loved dressing up to the themes set for each game. I will never forget cheering and dancing along with the cheerleaders. Another favorite memory from high school was being able to compete in the HOSA State Leadership Competition this year. It was so much fun being able to compete with my friends in the medical assisting category. I learned so much. I was honored to have placed first in the state alongside my friend, Ella Chris, who placed third in the state. It was an awesome experience, and it is definitely one of my favorite memories from high school.”
Cullman will hold a very special place in Shayley’s heart and she will remember so much during her time as a Bearcat.
“Cullman is such a special place because of the people. From the teachers to the students, Cullman is filled with opportunities for friendship and success. They have opened so many doors for me, and I’m forever grateful for that. The dedication that the teachers have truly made being at CHS so much more fun and enjoyable. Cullman will be my home away from home. I will always be so thankful for the CHS teachers, principals, and staff for helping me grow into the person I am today,” she said. “Looking back, I will remember all the fun school activities. The annual Key Club dance was always such a great time. My favorite part was being able to dress up and hang out with my friends.”
She will really miss being a Bearcat next year and she gave the upcoming freshmen some advice.
“I will definitely miss the fun activities that the clubs would have. I will also miss seeing the teachers every day. Over the years, I have created strong bonds with a few of the teachers. Mrs. Tankersley, Mrs. Lunsford, and Coach Avery have all been my teachers for multiple years out of my high school career, and they have done so much to get me to where I am today. They made such a big impact on my life, and I thank them for that. I will forever miss my days at Cullman High School, and I am so happy to have had the opportunity to be a Bearcat,”
She added,
“My advice to them would be to just enjoy every second. You always hear, ‘High school goes by so fast’, or ‘Don’t blink, because it will be over before you know it’. As a freshman, I didn’t take it so seriously. I remember just wishing time would go by faster and waiting for summer break. Now, I’m never going back to the same routine in August like I did the past four years. I will never play soccer again. I will never walk down the history hallway as a student to wave at the teachers standing outside their classrooms. I remember being at soccer practice and hearing my coach say, ‘This is it. The last half of the season. It’s going to be over before you know it’. That’s when I realized how my time was almost up. All the memories and routines were about to end. It’s so hard to grasp the concept, until it’s time to say goodbye and graduate. So, for the Class of 2027, try to take in every moment, because time is going to go by so fast when you have fun.”
Shayley had some incredible role models during her time playing soccer and in high school.
“One of my role models in soccer is Julie Ertz from the US Women’s National Team. She has such passion for the game, along with amazing skills. Throughout my soccer career, I would watch her play and see her defensive skills. We both play the same position: defensive middle, and she was an amazing player to look up to. She works so hard on and off the field, and I aspire to have her determination and loving character,” Shayley said. “Another role model that I have is Mrs. Michelle Greenlee. She was my AP Chemistry teacher for my senior year, and she was amazing. She was so kind and helped me gain passion for chemistry. Not only was she my teacher, she is my sister’s cross-country coach. I can see her helping and always cheering for every runner. She is kindhearted and supportive of everyone. I look up to her, not only to be as smart as she is, but to have the same loving heart as her. She helped me so much this past year, and I am grateful to have been her student.”
She was given some great advice by her mom and she received a scholarship from Wallace State.
“Throughout high school, I would be really hard on myself for getting a bad grade or for not doing the best on an assignment. My mom would always tell me, ‘One bad grade doesn’t define you’. That is so true. My mom helped me realize that I am worth more than my grade on a test or an assignment. This advice really opened my mind and built my character for the better,” she said. “I received the Leadership Scholarship from Wallace State Community College. I’m blessed to be able to receive this scholarship, and I am excited for my new adventure with Wallace State. I’m going to be majoring on the Pre-Med track.”
Shayley was in a couple of great clubs and learned so much during that experience. She was around so many great people during this experience.
“I was in the National Honors Society and HOSA. In HOSA, I learned many skills related to emergency medicine and medical assisting. I was able to learn CPR, and I became certified my sophomore year. It was really awesome being able to learn CPR, because it is such a valuable skill. It is easy to learn and could save someone’s life. My senior year, I learned the skills of a medical assistant and completed them in the HOSA State Leadership Conference. From sterile gloving to helping them with a routine physical exam, I was able to learn these valuable skills that will help me in the future. I earned my medical assisting certification this April, and HOSA has helped give me the confidence to perform these skills in the real world.”
She added,
“It was incredible. The people in these clubs are what make them so amazing. It’s really fun to see each other’s growth throughout the years. From freshman year to graduating, it was an awesome experience being around people who have the same interests as you. It made learning so rewarding when I could accomplish tasks and skills alongside my friends.”
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