Sierra Charles, Centenary College, Women's Soccer - SCAC Character & Community Honoree

Lawrenceville, Ga. - SIERRA CHARLES OF CENTENARY COLLEGE, a junior defender/midfielder on the women's soccer team from Baton Rouge, La., has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Female Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning November 8.

The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.

Charles makes time for everything. When she is not on the field as a member of the Centenary women's soccer team, you can find her in the library studying, volunteering off campus, or somewhere on campus actively engaging in an activity or project. 

The junior from Baton Rouge, La. is a political science major and two-time member of the SCAC Academic Honor Roll. Charles has played in 44 career matches and made 10 starts, including eight this past season. 

She has volunteered at local nursing homes in the Shreveport-Bossier area with her Ladies' teammates and volunteered in Centenary's Garden on campus. 

She has helped transcribe documents for the Library of Congress as a virtual volunteer and says that her favorite community service project is promoting Breast Cancer education and awareness through her sorority.  

"Being able to be involved with the many creative and engaging ways to raise money for those fighting breast cancer has been a very amazing experience," said Charles.  

Charles said that balancing athletics and academics can be very difficult but she uses her trusty planners and a schedule to stay on track and be organized. The other thing she does which she said is the most important though is taking time for herself.  

"I am very involved on campus, but I always try to have time for myself whether it is a day or fifteen minutes," said Charles. "Having that time to reset and relax helps me from feeling burnt out and over loaded." 

Charles chose to attend Centenary because of the strong sense of community that she felt on campus. "I really like how Centenary promoted this idea that you could be really involved on campus and still be very successful," said Charles. "I loved how involved the student body was and how much professors worked with students, so they did not fall behind." 

"Soccer has helped me off the field in my ability to work with others and to be more outgoing," said Charles. "Soccer is a team sport that relies heavily on each member working together for a common goal and communication plays a huge role in a team's ability to work towards that goal." 

"Through soccer I have developed a stronger ability to work in a group and a stronger ability to communicate effectively. My student life has helped with my soccer career with developing a strong work ethic. If you want a good grade on a test, you must study outside of the classroom, like how in soccer you need to work outside of practice to see improvements."  

"Being featured for the SCAC Character & Community Award means a lot to me because being recognized for this award proves to me, and hopefully others, how possible and important it is to not only be involved but to also volunteer. I hope to continue being a positive example on campus." 

Sierra Charles is a positive example on and off the field and Centenary College is proud to feature her for her accomplishments.