By Ken Hansard

            Seneca High School senior athlete Makailey Mitchell, like many athletes entering senior year, is just looking to enjoy her final go-round, “I’m looking forward to playing my last season with my favorite group of girls and competing at the highest level that I possibly can. My goal this season is to play like it’s my last, because it is, and just soak everything in and leave it all on the field.”

Mitchell understands that another role she must play is that of a leader.  She realizes that this is a responsibility that naturally comes with the territory, “As a senior, I see myself as someone my teammates can take advice from.  I hope that the others see me that way, as well.”

Mitchell was a part of the Indians’ district champion team her sophomore year.  She and her teammates would obviously like to replicate that success for their final year, but that will not come without some challenges, “We’ll start the season with eight returning girls, and we only anticipate two others joining us.  So with potentially only 10 players, I’m just praying that we’ll all stay injury free. I also hope that we can fight through any adversity and just play for each other.  My goal as a team is to perform to our abilities and compete every inning.”

Besides softball, Mitchell also competes on the hardcourt in basketball for the Indians.  She is a member of Seneca’s FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), the National Honors Society, and the Indians’ Student Council.  She is also a standout in the classroom, boasting a strong GPA of 3.9, and she has been named Academic All-State the last two years.

Makailey has not yet decided where she will attend college following graduation, and she has not yet settled on a career path, but she does plan to continue her education beyond high school.