Caroline VanderVelde is a sophomore student-athlete at Forest Hills Central. She plays basketball and golf for FHC at the varsity level. Caroline exceeds expectations on the course, the court, and in the classroom. One of Caroline’s keys to success is her mindset.
For Caroline, sports are more than just a physical challenge; they create an atmosphere of energy and excitement that fuels her drive to show up and compete. Caroline is often very aware of her surroundings. The energy and excitement of her surroundings fuel her passion. Sports allow her to create new connections with teammates and further enjoy the game.
“I love playing sports because of the atmosphere it creates,” Caroline said. “Sports are filled with so much energy, and they allow me to create new bonds with my teammates.”
A strong role model for Caroline is professional golfer Nelly Korda. Caroline looks up to Korda for not only being one of the best in golf but for remaining humble and graceful under pressure. These are key traits for any athlete to have. Caroline appreciates the balance of confidence and humility that Korda embodies and the approach she strives to replicate in her own game.
“I look up to Nelly Korda because she is the best in her field, yet she remains humble and is so thankful for her supporting fans,” Caroline said. “She also manages to remain calm and graceful in high-stress situations.”
Caroline’s commitment to sports extends off the field as well. She takes pride in mentoring the next generation of athletes, having worked with kids at her school’s sports camps. She also serves as a positive influence for her younger brother, offering him advice and encouragement. Caroline is constantly giving back to her community, providing them with a clear path to success and a look at how she approaches not only athletics but also life. Caroline focuses on the importance of focusing on what can be controlled, whether it’s hustling on defense or pushing through a challenging moment in a game.
As for leadership, Caroline believes that a great coach recognizes and addresses their players’ emotions while being open to change. A coach who has resilience and the know-how. Coaches play a big role for Caroline; success is born from a well-rounded coach who can address, work through, and adapt to hard times.
“A great coach can recognize and address their players’ emotions and admit when they are wrong and work to change the game plan to better suit the team,” Caroline said.
Caroline’s approach to sports is positivity and humility. Whether she’s leading by example on the field, supporting younger athletes, or drawing inspiration from role models like Nelly Korda, Caroline’s passion for the game and her commitment to improving both herself and those around her make her an athlete worth taking note of. A lot of her passion and mindset come from her dad, Marc VanderVelde. Marc is a supportive and loving dad. With a lot of wisdom for life and athletics. He gives advice that is sometimes hard to hear but is extremely useful in the long run.
“When your shots aren’t falling, you can always hustle,” Marc said.