Thanks to her three brothers, sports have been a valuable tool in Shannon Ryan’s arsenal.

“Growing up, I would always, like, tag along as a little sister who wanted to play sports and, like, make them race me around the backyard," Ryan said. "And I just loved playing them. Like, I never liked watching sports because I would be, like, in and playing it because it's fun and exciting.”

It was volleyball that she fell in love with. A part of the Lions' varsity team since 10th grade, she earned high praise from her head coach, Teresa Merihew.

What You Need To Know

  • Cincinnatus senior Shannon Ryan has been named a Spectrum News 1 Scholar Athlete

  • She was a standout on the volleyball court for the Lions, being named a team captain in her junior and senior years

  • Her focus is now on the future, attending St. John Fisher University and becoming a teacher

“She is 100% dedicated to anything she does," Merihew said of Ryan. "She has been my captain for the last two years, rightfully so. The athletes respect her, the school respects her, I respect her. I could trust her to do anything on and off the court. She did not miss a practice. She is the ideal athlete.”

But it’s in the classroom where Ryan truly shines. She’s reached the top of her class, finding a love of mathematics.

“Probably like algebra or calculus," Ryan said of her favorite subject. "Geometry isn't for me, but that could change.”

And when she heads to St. John Fisher University this fall to dive deeper into math, she’ll do so with the intent of teaching future generations in the classroom.

“I love working with kids," Ryan said. "I think it's so fun because like they truly are going to do it, I guess. Sorry to say, because I'm still a kid, like, looking at little kids and like you could be so much in your little, like, that's so exciting. And I do think that I can help people and kids realize what they want to do is exciting.”

“Shannon is going to be make a huge impact on students' lives in her future," Merihew added. "She is going to be just a gem. She's wonderful.”

And while athletics will take a back seat in college, as she plans on playing intramurals, Ryan knows how important they can be.

“Stick with your sport," Ryan said. "Even if there's like a rough season, you don't know if you want to do it, you're going to wish you hadn't missed out on the years of playing sports.”