Spectrum News 1's latest scholar-athlete is a student from the Rochester area who shined, not only on the field of play, but in the classroom as well.

"I’ve always just tried to push myself," said Emily Ihnatiuk.

It’s the extra effort, consistently striving to reach her potential, that has led Inhatiuk, of Eastridge High School, to stand out among her peers.

"Always be the best that I can be," she said. "It’s possible. Just if you want it, you can get it."

On the lacrosse field, Emily worked hard to develop her skills, but perhaps more importantly, become a leader on her team.

"Going from multiple practices a week, weekend practices, definitely sometimes it can be draining, but I think it’s all worth it," Ihnatiuk said. "I think it helps us find that chemistry on the field and connect during games."

It’s a similar story on the soccer pitch where she was named second-team all-county for the Lancers, but more than individual honors, it’s about being part of something bigger.

"I think just honestly the relationships that we get along with competing with each other, pushing each other to be better, I think that is definitely one of the highlights of my soccer career," she said.

A drive to succeed propelled Emily in the classroom as well, where she was the 2023 valedictorian, a member of the National Honor Society and took part in a host of extra-curricular and volunteer activities while also holding down a job. Managing it all isn’t easy, but she set a goal for herself and achieved it.

"Keeping up with my grades and my academics has helped me become just a stronger person and better balanced in my life," said Ihnatiuk.

"She’s somebody who doesn’t need all the accolades or people to tell her how awesome she is," said Kyle Vacanti, athletic director at Eastridge. "She does her job. She’s somebody that the younger girls can rely on, they go to for advice or help in any way that they need."

Ihnatiuk will embark on her next chapter at SUNY Geneseo.

"There’s always people who have gone through the same challenges, similar challenges and other people are able to rise above that, and I think that if other people can do that, then I can do it too," Ihnatiuk said.