Montverde Academy’s Soar to Success initiative, led by Student-Athlete Development Coordinator Taneka Rubin, continues to inspire student-athletes to grow not only in their sport but also as individuals, teammates, and leaders within the community.
Through a series of motivational and character-building sessions, Coach Rubin meets with each athletic team to discuss what it means to be a student-athlete in the fullest sense, emphasizing values such as integrity, balance, accountability, and personal growth. These interactive discussions encourage students to reflect on their goals, habits, and mindset, helping them develop the life skills necessary for success both in and beyond athletics.
“Soar Sessions give our athletes the tools to respond in big moments,” shared Coach Rubin. “We use this time to develop the person behind the player, because when they know who they are, they lead differently, communicate differently, and perform with consistency. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support our teams as we prepare our athletes for success in and out of sports.”
“The sessions have been extremely effective and something my team has definitely taken and ran with,” said softball team member Elena Friedman. “We’ve started using the championship mindset to hold each other accountable while also being vulnerable with each other. All in all, Coach Taneka’s sessions have helped our leadership skills and developed our team chemistry.”
One of the initiative’s standout components is the Adopt- a- Classroom Program, where Montverde Academy’s national boys basketball team “adopted” a Lower School classroom for a semester of fun, connection, and mentorship. The players spent time reading with students, answering questions, and joining in games and activities, building bridges between the Academy’s younger and older Eagles and highlighting the impact of leadership through service and the importance of giving back within one’s own community.
“I had a great time connecting with the younger students,” said national basketball team member Malachi Booker. “Seeing them so excited to see me and having conversations with them made it an unforgettable experience.”
Another event run under the Soar to Success program is Lunch with the ADs, where student-athletes from different teams sit at a roundtable discussion with our athletic directors. The objective is simple: connect student-athletes with our athletic leadership to ask questions and hear insights, and contribute to building a strong, supportive, and unified athletic community at Montverde Academy. The event will be held twice a year with a new selection of student-athletes each time.
The Soar to Success program also emphasizes community engagement through volunteerism. Student-athletes have participated in events such as the Diversity Fest,
helping set up booths and raising their country’s flags during the flag procession. At the beginning of the school year, the volleyball team organized an event for the Lower School, called Love4Volley, where the varsity and JV players volunteered to create a fun activity day for Lower School students. The volleyball team also regularly volunteers with the Group Life Foundation, whose mission is to empower individuals with special needs and provide them with the tools they need to succeed. Recently, the girls soccer team participated in Operation Christmas Child, an initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, working together to send gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world.
Each service experience reinforces Coach Rubin’s message that success is not defined by trophies or stats, but by the character one displays in everyday actions.
By fostering teamwork, service, and self-awareness, Soar to Success continues to strengthen the Montverde Academy athletic community, reminding every student-athlete that true success takes flight when they learn to soar in mind, body, and spirit.
