When Alyssa Ramos first stepped onto the Black Lions soccer field as a child, she never thought her passion for soccer would expand. Back then, she barely knew how to kick a ball. Now, she is the youngest captain of the Jones College Prep Varsity soccer team. 

Ramos’ story goes beyond the soccer field; she highlights the power of youth leadership and the importance of pursuing greatness. Early experiences shaped values regarding her character and determination. The journey she took illustrates the way her background has fueled her drive to work even harder, while empowering others – including teammates and peers. 

“I really had to show the coaches that I wanted it and give it 100 percent,” said Ramos ‘27.

Ramos began playing soccer at a young age, as her dad inspired her through his own playing style. Her first opportunity to play at a real club began at Black Lions Football Club, where she soon realized she wanted to become a leader, not a follower. 

“I started playing soccer when I was four,” said Ramos. “What drew me to it was I was always watching soccer games with my dad and I thought it was really cool.”

A study conducted by Women in Sport showed that 57 percent of girls as young as five years old feel excluded from sports, and 26 percent hear comments saying sports are not for them. When Ramos first started playing, she experienced some of this exclusion herself when facing older players. 

“I played on a [born in] ‘05 team when I was ‘09 that was all boys, they didn’t think I would play as good as them,” said Ramos. “They wouldn’t pass the ball and then they did, and they saw I actually had potential.” 

Young girls are heavily influenced by the environment they surround themselves with including family, teammates, and even social media. Over 75 percent of girls are influenced by negative remarks that further provide them with a sense that they do not belong or that sports only belong to a certain group. The moment Ramos stepped up to take on the role of captain, she held her fears. 

“I was too scared to talk because I was a freshman,” said Ramos. “I thought if I talked they wouldn’t listen because I was younger and not as respected.”

When in need of a boost, reminiscing on old memories and soccer games allowed Ramos to push forward and fight for her spot.

“I remember me and my childhood friend playing soccer when we were little,” said Ramos. “We have grown a lot together and that gave me the motivation to keep going.”

One of her soccer coaches, Derek Bylsma, spotted the qualities of a leader almost immediately within Ramos. 

“Alyssa came to our camp when she was in seventh grade, the first year she stepped on the field you could tell she was a future leader,” said Bylsma. “It was every bit as true as we thought it would be.”

Ramos’s impact inspires other players. Fellow Jones student Paloma Casillas felt motivated after seeing the achievements of Ramos and pushed herself to work harder to get to the next step.

“I’m able to see someone her age in that leadership position, it’s very admirable,” said Casillas ‘27. “She’s a very good leader and it inspires me to have that leadership for my own team especially since I have moved up in the soccer level.” 

Coach Derek Bylsma has recognized the ways Ramos has impacted the team dynamic. 

“She knows the right plays to make and where people need to be on the field,” said Bylsma. “She communicates with her teammates in a way that is constructive and helpful.”

With the soccer season right around the corner, she aims to continue to influence encouragement and motivation for peers and her teammates. 

“I have a lot of ideas that I think will be better for us,” said Ramos. “It was rewarding to see them still continue to consider me for captain.”