Youth Spotlight: Elissa Allen
photo by Jason Mechlen, copyright 2009
Elissa Allen, a high school junior, plays Ultimate for LBJ High School in the LASA program. Elissa started playing at Kealing, in the Magnet Program, when her then favorite teacher, Ms. Jenna Martin, invited her to play.
Her first game ever, against St. Francis, was a very grueling ultimate experience. Our team lost…a lot to a little. Maybe 15-0, who remembers the score? Elissa does remember her parents talking after watching Ultimate for the first time. "We never even knew you could run", stated her father in a casual tone. Although pretty offended by the comment, as Elissa had played soccer and other field sports through her youth; it was that day she was hooked on Ultimate. "I can't get enough! I’m addicted to the culture, the constant action, strategy, and the physical workout. Whenever I see a Frisbee@ in flight, I feel a physical urge to run it down."
For her entire freshmen year, Elissa was the only girl on her High School ultimate team. Elissa plays ultimate because it is the one sport where no matter what size you are or gender you are considered an equal. She shares her words with all girls who find themselves on the Ultimate field. “Don't be afraid of the disc or any guy you are marking.” In general what she has found is that it is not about being a girl, it is about being a player. “I am not a girl on the field. I am an ultimate player, defined by my skills and my spirit - not my gender . Which is what the spirit of the game is all about - accepting others and making unbiased calls.”
At only 16, Elissa boasts four years of playing experience. She participated in the Kealing middle school spring season in 2006. She has played for LASA for the past three years in the Lone Star High School State Tournament in College Station (see the results of these tournaments at UltimateSpirit.org). Elissa has also participated in the Austin High School Winter League, and led her team as a captain of this year’s Live Logic Showcase. She has attended the UT Rec Sports Ultimate Camp for the past three years, and was voted “most spirited player” this summer.
Elissa has returned to help coach the Kealing team and has earned community service hours serving as a Mentor in the UltimateSpirit Summer Camps. She enjoys working with players who are just learning the sport. Elissa strives to instill a love of ultimate and a feeling of equality and courage, especially in young girls, on the Ultimate field.
Ultimate Spirit.org is a volunteer Organization that is devoted to teaching the Spirit and Skills of Ultimate to players who are under 19 years of age in the Lone Star State. As a volunteer organization, we depend upon players showing character and commitment to develop our programs. This month, we spotlight two invaluable high school volunteers who are making a difference in our community by teaching ultimate to younger players, and by providing support and leadership to their high school teams. Hats off to these two young players who are truly “Playing the Game, and Living the Spirit”.
