WEST POINT, Ala. — West Point senior Ali Sims was on the Warriors sports medicine team for three years and in this interview, she shares some of her favorite memories from the experience.
“I know that some of my favorite memories when I first started were great, like before one of the games, we all were taking pictures and playing around. One of the girls was upset, so we all laid on top of her and then we all hugged and had a moment of silence for a little bit. During my senior year, it was senior night. We were on the verge of losing, but then, we won, and that’s when we got together and hugged and cried together. It was a beautiful night, but very rough. I have this video of this one game from my sophomore year when I first started on the team. The girls were trying to get me out of my shell. When the band came out with their marching song, we all got into a huddle and danced around. They got me out to dance and told me to just not be afraid. I love them for that,” Sims said. “It was amazing. We had lots of fighting and arguments, and we had sad days and frustrating days, but we all got along, no matter what. I loved all of them.”
She added,
“I learned that it’s going to be very rough, and that it takes practice and time. But you also meet the right people during that experience, and you will have that guidance to learn the passion of what you’re learning. I loved the whole experience, and it was with the people I loved the most. It was an amazing feeling of finally being out of that place that I was stuck in, and those people helped me out a lot. I hope that anyone that wants to learn about sports medicine should try it. It’s awesome.”
Ali soaked up as much as she could from the head athletic trainer at West Point, Donna Chamblee, and will deeply miss being on the sports medicine team next year.
“She was an inspiration, and she was very patient with me. She helped me do the wrapping of the wrists better. She taught me how to do the ankles correctly, and she helped me when I panicked at times. She was my rock in those times, and I cherish the times I had with her. I’m thankful that she helped me learn and had the patience when I was struggling,” she said. “I will remember the help that Donna gave me, and she taught me about what I needed to work on in the process. I will miss the memories, the players, the coaches, and the many more people I met through this experience. I will miss the excitement at every game before and sometimes after.”
She talked about her favorite high school memory, what made West Point a special place to go to school and what she will miss most about being a Warrior.
“My favorite memory is at the end of my senior year. We had a field day for the seniors. We had a water slide, and everyone got along. We didn’t have problems and all we did was have fun, not care, and just hang around with each other one last time. It was a good memory and such a wonderful moment,” she said. “I think that West Point’s special to go to because of some of the teachers, some students, and I do enjoy Dr. Black making it fun the best way he can. I just think that the teachers are your supporters, and some students are there for you. The school will always help you if you are in need of some help.”
She added,
“I think what I will remember the most is the people I grew up with and the people that I bonded so easily with over the years and who I had that connection with. I will miss them the most also. I will miss West Point, and most of all, the memories you make while you are there. It goes by so quickly without you even realizing it. It’s all the laughter and all the tears you make throughout that experience. West Point is a wonderful place to go to.”
Ali got some great advice from one of her teachers and had a lot of help from her friends during a really tough time in her life.
“I think my biggest advice came from one of my teachers, Mrs. Young. She gave me a bunch of advice when I needed it. She gave me some advice about my relationship, on controlling my emotions, on how to be confident, and on cooking in the future when I was in her cooking classes. Her advice was really helpful, and I’m forever grateful for her,” she said. “When I was going through a rough depression, I felt lost, and I didn’t feel like I wanted to be here. I had a lot of friends to help me realize that I do need to be here, and there was no reason not to be. They led me back to God, and they just helped me get out of that spot I was in before it became more drastic.”
She gave advice to those students that will be starting high school in August and talked about her role models that she looked up to.
“My advice to them is to not get into any drama. Don’t do things you will regret, but also do new things and learn from them. Always focus on what you want your dream to be when you get to your senior year. Make new friends the best way you can, and always help out someone in need. Be the smile to someone’s day,” she said. “My role models were the girls when I first started, but most importantly, Ashlyn Shedd, and Donna Chamblee. They were patient with me, and they taught me the correct way to do things. Even after Ashlyn graduated, she still came back and helped me out. She always had a smile on her face. Donna always gave me the look to always try again and to take my time if needed. She always gave us smiles to start out the morning practices and the late-night games.”
Ali shared some advice for anyone who wants to do what she did and wants to be where she is now.
“I want people to remember that I tried and that I always wanted people to have a smile on their face. I wanted them to know that I will always be there for them, and I hope people remember me for really wanting to achieve my goals,” she said. “My advice to them is to try your best. Always be confident in what you’re wanting to do and be. If anything changes or happens, always keep that confidence in yourself. What I will remember the most is remembering the techniques and the skills that we learned, especially from the fire department. It’s good to have that information. It is also good to keep calm in those situations that are very difficult and very stressful, and I will also remember making good memories throughout the years with some great people.”
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