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Presenting the Mikayla Anderson Wild Leadership Award

By WWFHA Staff Writer, 03/18/16, 1:00PM PDT

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WWFHA proudly establishes the Wild Leadership award in the name of graduating senior and 19U Rep team captain, Mikayla Anderson


Mikayla Anderson

The Mikayla Anderson Wild Leadership award will be given annually to the Washington Wild player who exemplifies Mikayla’s character and leadership on the ice, in the classroom, and in the community.

Character

Mikayla illustrated fearless courage, tenacity, and patience, as well as a combination of humility and presence while with the Washington Wild. She took responsibility and ownership to challenging situations during her tenure in the organization, resulting in a stronger, connected and collaborative team that was more successful on and off the ice. Her strength of character has led her to be a successful leader in everything she does.

Leadership

Mikayla’s character traits allow her to be a phenomenal leader. She effectively and efficiently helps herself and those around her reach their goals. She serves as a role model to others as she demonstrates courage and leads by example, tackling challenging situations and overcoming obstacles. Her leadership presence attracts others and inspires them to be the best they can be.

Mikayla robustly evaluates her own strengths and weakness and those of people around her, enabling her to have a good perspective of most any situation. She has learned to manage and turn around troublesome people with poor attitudes that can quickly destroy any type of productive environment or enjoyable experience. She already proficiently redirects people constructively, in a pleasant and inclusive way. These learned and innate skills enable her to help build a resilient, positive culture within any type of group – whether it be in sport, the classroom, or in her community.


The Washington Wild teams celebrate with Mikayla while she is presented the award in her name

Senior captain Mikayla Anderson

Senior captain Mikayla Anderson

On The Ice

Mikayla has played hockey for eight years--five as a member of WWFHA. She just completed her third season as the captain of the WWFHA Midget 19U Rep Tier 2 team, the premiere team of the association.  She played two seasons with WWFHA’s 19U travel team prior to leading the 19U Rep team through three seasons of success, which included the Canadian 2014-15 PCAHA Midget Female President Series Championship Title and two second place finishes at the USA Hockey Tier II Girls’ 19U National Championships and many tournament championship titles.

Her coach, Shaun Miller, speaks highly of Mikayla and says, “She's the most loyal, hardworking player that I have ever seen. She's a big reason why WWFHA is such a close family, as she goes way out of her way to talk with every player, no matter what team they are on, to make them feel welcome. Mikayla can probably name every person that plays in the association!”

“As a player, Mikayla never quits on the ice, and the pace of the game is always based on her. She is the fastest player on the team and makes it tough for competitors to cross the red-line because of her amazing back-checking ability and heart. She is one of the most focused, passionate, genuine and supportive young persons I have ever had to pleasure to work with – truly a one-of-a-kind.”

Mikayla recently committed to Salve Regina University in Rhode Island where she will play hockey for the Seahawks NCAA D3 women’s ice hockey team and pursue a nursing degree.


Mikayla scores at the USA Hockey Pacific District Championship Tournament


Mikayla's High School

In the Classroom

Mikayla’s success stretches beyond the ice. As a student-athlete, Mikayla makes academics her first priority, as demonstrated by her success in the classroom. She continuously challenges herself by taking AP and honors courses. She has successfully balanced academics and her demanding sport which requires her to be on the ice four to five days a week while driving 2 to 4 hours for each ice session, either practices or games. Her work ethic in the classroom equals her work ethic on the ice.

She eagerly awaits applying what she learns on and off the ice to a career. Mikayla’s passion for community has driven her to pursue a degree in nursing, a profession that requires competent students, honesty, engagement, commitment, care and compassion.


Operation Keep 'Em Warm and Fed

In the Community

Mikayla commitment to her WWFHA Family and her community shines through service projects. She volunteers in hockey, coaching beginners and mentoring the younger players; she is a natural role model. Outside of hockey she volunteers for several organizations, such as Faith in Formation, which helps underclassmen transition to high school; her school’s Home Team, which takes new students on tours; Operation Keep 'Em Warm and Fed, where she serves food to the homeless before school; and with the Nativity House where she prepares gifts and food for low income families in the Tacoma area.

Mikayla searches out these opportunities to enrich her life while serving her community. These experiences have all contributed to making her humble, respectful, passionate, self-aware and genuine – qualities of her stellar character.

Conclusion

Mikayla is an outstanding student, athlete, leader and community member with the highest character. WWFHA is proud to have her as a WWFHA alumna and to declare her the inaugural recipient of the Mikayla Anderson Wild Leadership award.


Mikayla Anderson commits to Salve Regina University