GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Critical thinking in both academics and athletes for one East Gaston High School senior has been the key to success, and she has big plans both on and off the field.

What You Need To Know

  • Lydia Walls is a Gaston County senior with big dreams on and off the soccer field

  • She enjoys the "puzzle" of both sports play and academics 

  • She was presented with a $1,000 scholarship award that was given to her by state Sen. Brad Overcash

"For me, soccer and athletics, they're more than just a sport to me. It's somewhere where I can show my passion and my love,” Lydia Walls said.

She gave a cerebral answer when asked about what drives her passion for soccer: "It's like chess. You always have to be one step ahead. You got to know where your next pass is. And I think for me, it's like a puzzle. And in academics and sports, I just love puzzles. I love figuring out critical problems and all that."

This bend toward mental strategy has led her to be part of the school’s science research program, because like soccer, it’s all about figuring out a puzzle.

Last year, she was the overall high school winner at the Gaston Regional Science and Engineering Fair for her study on lung functionality in student athletes.

"Research just involves a lot of critical thinking, problem solving. Thinking one step ahead. A lot of questions are asked then that just really shows me as an individual and it just really resonated with me," she said.

Walls will study biomedical engineering this coming fall season at N.C. State. She spoke candidly about what the Spectrum News 1 High School Scholar recognition meant to her.

"I was just like honestly shocked. That week was a really stressful week for me,” she said. “And I felt very unnoticed of what I was doing. Just unrecognized. But this [award] showed me that it's going to be OK. You get recognized even if you're not meant to be, you're going to get recognized in things that you don't think that people are watching, but they are."

Walls was presented with a $1,000 scholarship award by state Sen. Brad Overcash, who represents Gaston County.

"Your school, your community are immeasurably proud of what you've done. Your achievements both academically and in this community are second to none. Congratulations," Overcash said.

Walls plans to use the money toward her tuition at N.C. State this fall.