Monday, December 2, 2024
Victoria Gamarra, a standout soccer player and scholar, is gracefully approaching a significant milestone in her life. Now a junior at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, the 20-year-old 2022 graduate of Oceanside High School, is preparing for her senior year, where she will play her final season of competitive soccer. For Gamarra, soccer is more than a sport—it’s part of her identity, woven deeply into her family’s fabric.
“Soccer has been in my life for years,” she explained, tracing her roots back to when she first picked up a ball at the age of three. “My father played Division I soccer in college, and he was a soccer coach. Both of my brothers played club soccer as well. I’m the only one who stuck with it all the way to the college level.”
But as her junior season comes to a close, Gamarra is preparing to hang up her cleats after her senior year.
“I don’t really know what’s going to happen afterward because next year is my last year of organized soccer at a competitive level,” she said. “I’m trying to cherish every moment now and appreciating the game as much as I can before it’s time to move on.”
With a double major in Psychology and Spanish and a commitment to community service, Gamarra is embracing the transition from athlete to educator. In high school, she was involved in multiple clubs. In college, she volunteers with Vincent’s Table, an outreach program providing food to families in need, which she describes as one of her most impactful experiences. Gamarra has excelled as soccer a player and captain. She was named the Most Outstanding Player after helping her team advance to the Skyline Conference tournament in 2023, an achievement that remains a highlight of her athletic career. She emphasizes the importance of balancing academics and athletics, a lesson she’s learned over years of navigating the dual demands.
“Being a student-athlete is not easy,” Gamarra acknowledges. “It comes with making small sacrifices—like telling friends, ‘I can’t hang out, I need to study,’ or choosing a workout over social activities. It all adds up in the end, and the dedication you put into both your studies and your sport pays off.”
Her advice to young athletes is clear: prioritize education.
“There are many people who want to be great athletes, but in college, you’re here to get an education and a degree. Athletics are important, but school really has to be up there. You need to balance it all with strong time management skills. At the end of the day, no one else can make you succeed. It’s up to you.”
Gamarra is already planning her next steps, with her sights set on graduate school immediately after she earns her bachelor’s degree. Her aspirations are centered on education, with a passion for working with children.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since I was little, but my focus has shifted a bit,” Gamarra explained. “I’m looking into master’s programs that combine elementary education and special education. I’d love to become a special education teacher or even a speech pathologist. The main thing is that I want to work with kids and make a positive impact in their lives.”
Mount Saint Vincent is about an hour away from Oceanside and Gamarra feels fortunate to have her family’s unwavering support at her games.
“My parents come to every single soccer game, so I see them at least once a week,” she said. “I don’t feel too far from home because I’m always seeing them.”
While living on campus has given her a sense of independence, Gamarra still treasures the connection she has with her family.
Despite her packed schedule as a student-athlete, Gamarra makes time to enjoy the social aspects of college life. She describes her favorite moments as the spontaneous, simple times with friends—whether it’s playing card games in someone’s dorm room or organizing movie nights.
“Those moments really help you forget about the stress and just live in the moment,” she said. “And I’ve had the chance to explore New York City a lot more. Even though I’m from Long Island, I hadn’t really spent much time in the city before.”
Gamarra recognizes that her time in college is precious, and she’s making the most of it. As Gamarra enters the final phase of her undergraduate career, her focus remains on finishing strong both academically and athletically. But her passion for education and her desire to work with children will guide her future beyond the soccer field.
With a clear vision for her next steps, Gamarra is ready to take on the next challenge—just as she has with every goal she’s set her mind to.
“Working with kids is really what I’m passionate about, and what my dream is after graduating,” she said. “Hopefully with the degrees that I get, I’m able to into an education field here in New York.”
