Personal Statement
I am McKenna Roden and for the majority of my life I have grown up in Europe, more specifically Germany. The doors that have opened for me here are unique compared to a traditional student in the states. I have competed on coed teams every year since I was four in both German and American leagues. I competed as the only girl selected to the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Europe State boys’ team and won many tournaments all the way up to the U-14 group. From then on I joined a higher league of girls’ soccer and was always in an age group above the usual. I participated in ID camps such as one for ODP that was held at the University of Rhode Island where I was handpicked from a list of the top girls on the ODP Europe State team in the 8th grade. Since then, high school soccer and women club teams have built my talent and pushed me towards a leadership role on teams. I had the honor of being the captain of Kaiserslautern High School for which I have started on since the 9th grade and won 3rd in the European DoDDs Championship for three straight years. My sophomore year I was selected to the DoDDs Europe Region I 1st team. At the end of my junior year I was awarded All-Tournament for Division one, as well as All-Europe 1st team. Along with my accomplishments, I have a special bond with many of my coaches. I am always looking for criticism to help mold me into the player I need to be for a team, because I’m aware every player has a role on each different team. This summer I will be attending two ID camps, one at Boston College and the other at the University of Vermont.
Throughout my life my parents have always greatly enforced that soccer and academics work hand and hand. As of right now I have a 3.8 GPA have received the Academic All conference award, completed three AP classes, three honor classes and have received the Principal’s Honor Role award. I believe it’s important to work hard at being the complete package student-athlete. I am a member of the National Honor Society, German National Honor Society and many other extracurricular groups for which I have volunteered hundreds of hours which has helped me to become a well-rounded student. School is a top priority and that’s why I’m looking for colleges with environmental science that work along with conservation. Those course selections and the search to find a quality educational institution have led me to the doorstep of Southern Vermont College and the women’s soccer team.
Below are a few of my High School achievements:
Starting Varsity Kaiserslautern High School Women's Soccer Team Captain
DoDDS-All-Europe 1st Team
DoDDS-Europe European Soccer Championships 14 All-Tournament Team Division I
DoDDS-Europe Athletic Academic All-Conference
ODP Europe State Team
SG Hütschenhausen Spesbach Haupststuhl U-18 and Women's Captain
Student and Extracurricular:
Presidential Honor Roll 4.0 GPA and Above
AVID Student
National Society of High School Scholars (HSHSS) member
National Honor Society member
German National Honor Society
Environmental science club member
Girl Scouts
Outdoor club member
Varsity/Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Manager
Sophomore Year 2013 Soccer:
Starting Varsity
DoDDS-Europe Region II All Region 1st Team
ODP Europe State Team
DoDDS-Europe Athletic Academic All-Conference
Student and Extracurricular:
Honor Roll ( 3.5-4.0 )
Sophomore Class Vice President
AVID Student
National Society of High School Scholars (HSHSS) member
National Honor Society member
German National Honor Society
Environmental science club member
Girl Scouts – completed two journey projects
Outdoor club member
Varsity/Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Manager
Freshman Year 2012 Soccer:
Starting Varsity
DoDDS-Europe Championship ’12 - 3rd place
DoDDS-Europe Region II, All Region 1st Team
DoDDS-Europe Athletic Academic All-Conference
SG Hütschenhausen Spesbach Haupststuhl U-16 Captain
Student and Extracurricular:
Honor Roll ( 3.5-4.0 )
Student Class Officer
AVID Student
Volleyball JV
Junior High 2010
FBLA member
AVID Student
Military Child of the Year (Top 10)
ODP Europe State Team 2009
ODP Europe State Team 2008
Soccer Teams
German Club
Jägersburg B- Juniorinnen Regionalliga (#2) 2011-Present
Coach Björn Dill
High School Team
Varsity (#19) Kaiserslautern High School 2011-Present
Coach Brian Daly
German Club
SG Hütschenhausen Spesbach Haupststuhl U-16 (#5) 2008-2012
Coach Bernd Englert
Soccer Tournaments, Showcases & Camps
1. Region I Camp Rhode Island 2009
2. Michael Brendal Indoor Tournament 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
If you have any questions at all or information you would like such as coach references please let me know.