Mya Norman’s strength and determination throughout life have yielded success, even during a pandemic. Weighing a mere 2.5 pounds at birth, Mya had to work harder than other children to maintain her physical health. Participation in gymnastics, competitive dance, and sports strengthened her physically and sharpened her leadership skills. Now, as a senior at Rochester Area School District (in Rochester, PA), Mya’s success reaches from the court and field into the classroom and the community as she evolved into a role model worthy of emulation.
After cheering for 11 years, Mya made cheer captain this year and became the volleyball team’s libero, having played for the past six years. She lettered in both volleyball and cheer during sophomore year. The popular bubbly teen with an infectious smile maintained perfect attendance throughout high school and has been a mentor to Linda Buckenheimer through Big Brothers Big Sisters organization for the past four years. Mya is a proud member of the National Honor Society, having maintained a 4.0 GPA since junior year while working as a hostess at a local restaurant.
The insightful young woman shared how the pandemic impacted her life. “Covid has dramatically affected my senior year. When the school first started, it was weird because you could tell that students were missing. The friends you waited to see for so long weren’t there. People were scared of the Coronavirus, so they turned to online learning. Everybody had to wear masks, and we had to stay 6-feet apart at the gym, lunch, in classes, and during pep assemblies. Nothing was the same. That’s when it hit me that my senior year would be like, unlike anything anyone had ever seen or experienced before. Many high school milestones were finished before they even had the chance to begin. We missed out on our homecoming dance, but fortunately, we had a homecoming court, which I was on. Missing out on sports was heartbreaking. We couldn’t have spectators during volleyball season, which made me sad because my mom [Michele Norman] couldn’t come and support me as she has always done. I feel like I missed out on so much. Although most of my senior year was ruined, I know that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Things are getting better. My teachers are getting vaccinated, there are fewer restrictions, and students are switching back to in-person learning. I didn’t think we were going to have a prom this year, which is probably the thing that upset me the most. I’m proud to say we will have prom this year on the Gateway Clipper! I can’t wait to graduate and start the next amazing chapter in my life at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where I will major in nursing this fall. I long to continue making myself and others proud. Hopefully, this demonstrates that after every storm, there is a rainbow. I have a feeling there will be many rainbows in the future.
The Soul Pitt family congratulates Mya on her accomplishments and wishes her much success in her bright future.
Marcia Liggett, CEO of Marcia Liggett Enterprises is a highly skilled freelance writer, special assignment and advertorial writer for Soul Pitt Quarterly Magazine, an award-winning balloon artist(ambersballoons.com), and certified Family Group Decision Making co-facilitator. She is the proud “momager” of Meteorologist Amber Liggett, CEO of Amber’s Amazing Animal Balloons(amberliggett.com) and Rob Liggett (photographer FB: Robert Liggett). Specializing in event planning, social media and community relations, Marcia can be reached at 724-728-5134, mhliggett@gmail.com, or www.mliggett.weebly.com.
