“Sports have never changed my life. They are my life,” freshman Edita Mackic said.

Mackic’s parents have pushed each one of her siblings to do a sport. Mackic chose to play soccer.

“I started playing soccer when I was nine years-old. Currently, I play for a Montenegrin soccer team and for the Illinois Sting team,” Mackic said.

Soccer isn’t the only thing that keeps Mackic busy. She is also in orchestra, track, and plans on trying out for the volleyball team next year.

“I’m really excited to try out. Joining a sport is really cool at Niles West because you get to meet other people and befriend them.”

Mackic was nervous when she started Niles West, but having an older sibling helped.

“My sister, Merima Mackic, is a sophomore. She introduced me to upperclassmen and pushed me to get involved in school,” Mackic said.

Mackic pushes herself to excel in everything she does. She looks forward to her high school years and is excited for the various opportunities she could get through the years.

“I like it here at Niles West. I get be someone completely different and really put myself out there. The only thing that sucks is that it’s so huge. I probably will continue to get lost until senior year because I’m bad at directions,” Mackic said, laughing.