D1 University Scholarship Kicks in for TTU K‑12 Soccer Player

By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

Samantha Meza was frequenting soccer fields well before she could even walk. Her mother, Alma Santos, played soccer as a child and into adulthood, even after Samantha was born. Now she has signed to play Division 1 college soccer for the University of North Carolina, with TTU K-12 playing an important part in her story.

"Soccer has literally been my life! I started to play on a co-ed team when I was three years old," Sam said. "I was terrible. My feet were too big for my body and I was very shy, especially since I was playing mostly with boys."

Sam says the only thing she had going to her advantage was that she understood the game. Her "soccer IQ" was advanced compared to others, at least that's what her mom told her.

"I played with boys until I was seven years old when I joined the first all-girls team, but then had to play with boys again for a year because I was too young to advance to the classic league with my team," she explained. "Once I turned 10, I was back with the all-girls team playing in second division of the classic league."

A year later, Sam was recruited to play for a division one team and a short time later was recruited by the US Soccer Federation to play with the U15 US Girl's National Team.

"I was 13 and traveling the world," Sam said. "I have been a mainstay with the US Soccer Federation National pool since, and currently I play with the U20 US Women's National Team."

Living in the Dallas area with her parents and little brother Luis, who is now seven years old, Sam was in the public school system until high school. She was traveling so much that her absences were becoming a problem, so her parents enrolled her in a private school, which she attended her freshman and sophomore years of high school.

"Then the amount of travel increased even more because it was a World Cup year for the U17 US Women's National Team," Sam explained. "It was then my parents decided that TTU K-12 would be the best thing for me. I have been with Texas Tech High School for my junior and now senior years of high school."

Alma says making the change to the self-paced program was not an easy choice but has turned out to be an effective arrangement for Samantha.

"Making the decision to switch to TTU K-12 was difficult, especially since we were already stressed about time constraints affecting Sam's progress academically and as an athlete," Alma said. "I was very nervous because she would basically be on her own as far as getting work done, but I am so happy we made the switch!"

Sam agreed that the move to TTU K-12 has been a positive change.

"The private school setting was difficult and even more so because I was never there," she explained. "I like being challenged, but could only do so much. The Texas Tech program has been challenging as well, but I love it because I can manage my schedule and pace. When I have questions, I simply send an email to my teacher."

Since TTU K-12 classes are portable, Sam's training and traveling are no longer an obstacle to her education.

"I don't worry if my training days are long and I can't do schoolwork for a couple of days, because I can work all day for seven days a week if necessary. Texas Tech High School is perfect because I can do work while traveling in the airport, on the plane, in my hotel room while in Spain, China or any other part of the world!"

Sam says she is working hard to finish her senior year a little early. She plans to take the SAT and ACT soon and is writing essays for her college application.

"I plan to study dentistry at UNC and aspire to play pro ball as well as one day play for the US Women's National Team," Sam said. "TTU K-12's high school curriculum has forced me to work harder than I sometimes want to and to figure things out for myself. This transfers to other things in life currently and will help me when I am a college student."

As a parent, Alma is pleased with the skills her daughter has acquired while working through her last two years of high school.

"Sam has been compelled to learn effective time managing skills and has learned to prioritize accordingly," Alma said. "Having the freedom to create a custom schedule has been crucial! Sam is able to get through her schoolwork, training sessions and is able to travel with minimal stress. In short, I am very satisfied with TTU K-12!"

For other students in a situation like hers, Samantha would have them consider pursuing their education through TTU K-12.

"I would highly recommend TTU K-12 because the curriculum is challenging, and the way classes are structured is similar to how things are done in college. It is definitely the best thing for students who are obsessively committed to their sport, instrument or anything else that may take up most of their time."