Ashley Retana-Tapia

I've known that I wanted to study medicine since I was in middle school. I've focused my high school curriculum on science-based courses. I have this incredible nursing internship at St.Joseph's Hospital where I get to collaborate with nurses and physicians. I enjoy my time most when I'm observing and learning from the physician assistants. The physicians have been most supportive in my motive to pursue medicine. I was fortunate enough to scrub in on an open-heart surgery! It was an incredible opportunity given to me because the doctors know about my passion to pursue medicine, and so they believed it only right that I got to see more about what it's like to be in the medical field.

I received the Katherine E. Kauffman Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Female Tennis Player (2x)

I was named to the All-Conference First Team (2019,2021,2022)

In 2021, I was the United Ten X Singles Champion

In 2022, my team and I won the PIAA Team Tennis Championship

In 2022, my team and I were named League Champions

In 2022, I placed 2nd in the Girls Berks County Doubles

In 2022, I placed 2nd in District 3 Girls Doubles

In 2022, my teammate and I were names into the top 10 Girls Doubles Teams in the State of Pennsylvania.

In 2022, my team placed 4th in District 3 Girls Team Tennis

In 2022, my teams and I qualified for the first time ever for State Girls Team Tennis

I received a Certificate Of Appreciation for outstanding athletic achievement (2019,2021)

Apart from playing tennis, I also like to coach tennis to younger children. I coach mostly during the summer; this way I can structure a plan for each child in terms of how basic or complex I can coach them. I've always loved helping people, especially those who need it. During the pandemic, I tutored friends in chemistry. It was a difficult course that most people struggled with, so I was happy to share any knowledge i had that could help them get a better understanding.

I've played tennis for ten years. I normally play tennis all year round so I can remain at a competitive level. I would love to continue to play in college, and I am determined to balance out academics with athletics. I know it will be challenging, but I have worked really hard on time management throughout my athletic high school career. Tennis has taught me a lot about responsibility, patience, respect, kindness, and health. It's a fantastic sport, and it's something I can always turn to when I need to relax and have fun. It also really helps me when I need to focus; it's taught me so much and that's why I want to keep playing.