Due to the current coronavirus situation and all sports being shut down, there are a lot of athletes who have had their senior seasons cut short. ENC Sports Review thought it would be nice to highlight some of these seniors as a small way to celebrate their senior year, since so much has been taken from them already. Today, we will highlight Faith Christian School senior Mary Alaine Mascarenhas. We thank Mary Alaine for taking the time to sit down with ENC Sports Review and answer these questions for us. We had fun learning more about her and hope you will too!
How long have you been playing sports?
I have been playing sports ever since I could walk. I’ve had a soccer ball at my feet since I was young and then started playing volleyball and basketball in middle school.
What teams have you been on? (This can be rec ball, middle school and high school)
I have played rec soccer for the Rocky Mount league and RMAYSA. For school I played JV and Varsity soccer, volleyball, and basketball for Faith Christian School.
Who has been your favorite coach and what did he or she teach you that you carry with you through today?
It’s hard to pick my favorite coach because I have had some really great ones. However, I have to say my dad was one of the best coaches I have ever had. There were many times that it was difficult to have my dad as my coach as I always thought he was harder on me than the rest of my teammates and it was always embarrassing to have him yell at me where the whole gym or field could hear. Through all that, he taught me to work hard, set my standards high, and take constructive criticism, which are skills I will be thankful to have throughout my life.
What is your favorite memory and least favorite memory of playing sports?
One of my favorite memories was when my teammates threw me a surprise birthday party when I spent my birthday at a basketball tournament. I had a great time hanging out with my team and playing with them in the tournament. I was also awarded All-Tournament in that game which made the weekend even better. My least favorite memories of sports are walking off the court or the field for the last time with my team. Sports have been such an amazing experience for me and it’s made it very difficult to say goodbye to them. The worst was this soccer season as I played my last game not realizing I would never get to play again for my high school.
What is one thing or event that if you could do over again you would change?
If I could go back and change something about my sports, I would play harder at all my soccer games or practices and enjoy the moment while I had it.
Who is someone you look up to and why?
I look up to my mom because she has been there for me at every game. She has been my biggest cheerleader and supported me whether I did good or bad. She always encouraged me to do my best and never give up.
If you could go back 5 years and tell yourself something then that you know now what would it be?
If I could go back 5 years, I would tell myself to not be afraid to try something new because sometimes change can be good.
What is something you would tell someone trying to follow in your footsteps?
I would tell someone following in my footsteps to go for it. Try out for the sport you don’t know how to play. If you find out you like it the first year then keep playing and getting better. Have fun and cherish every moment of high school sports that you can before they are over.
If you have played your last high school game, what is something that you will remember for the rest of your life?
I will always remember the fun times I had with my teams and coaches and all the great relationships I made in sports. I will always remember the talks my team had in the locker room after the games, the good and bad ones.
Feel free to add anything that I might not have asked that people would like to know about your time playing sports or your future plans.
Although I’m not playing sports for college, I plan to continue to play the sports that I love. I plan to attend NCSU and play club sports to stay active.
Thank you again, Mary Alaine Mascarenhas , for taking the time to be one of our 2020 senior spotlights. We wish you well on all of your future endeavors.
Attention 2020 Seniors: If you are interested in possibly being our next spotlight, please inbox us with a picture of you (head shot or action shot, or multiple pictures), your name, school, sports/positions played and answers to some or all of the questions above.
Note: All photographs have been contributed to this post from the senior’s family.
ENC Sports Review 