One thing that seems to be on all high-school minds is summer. The long, relaxing vacations on the beach somewhere with one of those fruity little drinks and an umbrella. This would be an ideal summer to pretty much any teen at Southwest, but for sophomore Alexis Mills, vacation isn’t on this summer’s list. Mills must begin yet another competitive softball season that will be all that her summer has to offer this year.

Mills has been playing softball since her kindergarten days and has sacrificed the loss of friends and the high school experience to continue her love for softball.

“I have definitely missed out on a lot. I don’t regret it, but if I could hangout more with friends and have a social life I would,” Mills said. “Sometimes I just wish there was more time to balance out everything.”

Mills will have practice every day over the summer and will be traveling around the United Sates. Her first stop will be Texas for a long and intense training camp. Mills must prepare not only for the season, but for her college career. Mills feels the need to use softball as an opportunity to get a scholarship for college. Mills’s love for softball is something she cannot even describe.

“Softball just changes my perspective on things.” Mills said. “When I am playing everything else just doesn’t seem to matter and college softball is my goal and my only option to keep softball in my life.”

Mills has an incredibly large amount of support from her family to last a lifetime. Her parents have pushed her through all the slumps and struggles Mills has faced throughout the years. Mother MaryLou Mills explains just why she keeps her daughter so motivated.

“We want her to be the best because we know she is the best,” Mills said. “We keep her in check because we know how talented she is and just how much love she has for the sport.”

Not only does Mills get support from her parents, but also her friends as well. Junior Megan Rowe tells just how she plans to support Mills this summer.

“Our whole group will miss her over the summer and we plan to come out to watch a couple games,” Rowe said. “We will do anything to support our friend because even though we won’t see her much, she still is one of our best friends.”

Mills plans to get a scholarship in the future to play college softball and her life is dedicated to it already. Mills knows that she has the support, the determination, and the skills to make this dream happen and college softball is what she strives for.

“I may be missing out on a lot in my high school experience, but I know it’s worth it,” Mills said. “All my sacrifices will soon pay off in the end.”