Q&A: Violet Donahue

by Cameron Colabella

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Violet Donahue is a tri-season athlete at Nottingham High School. She has played soccer since middle school and has been a varsity athlete since her freshman year. As well as a soccer superstar she has also joined track and excelled. Over the course of her athletic career she has won multiple awards including the Women in Sports Award. During the course of her career she has had to overcome surgery and recovery to make it back onto the field.

CAMERON COLABELLA: How long have you been playing soccer? 
VIOLET DONAHUE: I have been playing soccer since I was in middle school.

CAMERON COLABELLA: Would you say that soccer and or sports is a big part of your identity?
VIOLET DONAHUE: Yes, I would say playing soccer has played a huge part in my life and contributed to my identity. The experiences I had in this sport and the friends I’ve made from it has truly shaped me into the person I am today. 

CAMERON COLABELLA: I understand you made the varsity soccer team as freshmen. What did that feel like? 
VIOLET DONAHUE: Making varsity my freshman year was extremely exciting and also extremely nerve-wracking…Believe it or not, I was actually ridiculously shy and almost completely mute. Even though I was pushed out of my comfort zone, I am so grateful I had that experience because I wouldn’t be who I am today.

CAMERON COLABELLA: I also know you had to get surgery during your first season. What did it feel like having your season cut short?
VIOLET DONAHUE: Yes, my stupid appendix blew up my freshman year and I was out half the season. 

CAMERON COLABELLA: What was recovering like?
VIOLET DONAHUE: Recovering was fine, it was really just the first couple of days I felt sore. I kinda just sat on my couch and ate cereal for 3 days straight. 

CAMERON COLABELLA: Were you upset or relieved when your last season ended?
VIOLET DONAHUE: Last season was very challenging for us. We barley had any girls, which meant we had to work extra hard, so I guess in that respect, I am relieved the season is over. We didn’t win many, but at our last game, we played West, (who we lost to in the beginning of the season), and we ended up winning! It was definitely the best way to end our season because we worked so hard and proved that even with a small team we could still come together and beat our rivals. Although we had a rough season, I’ve met some of the best people and I am going to miss them so much. 

CAMERON COLABELLA: How do you manage school, friends, work and sports all at once?
VIOLET DONAHUE: I manage sports and my social life pretty well because they kind of correlate with each other. When I do sports, for the most part, I do them with my friends which makes them 10 times more fun. 

​CAMERON COLABELLA: What are your post school plans? Will you continue to play soccer? Or any other sports?
VIOLET DONAHUE: I am not entirely sure of what I want to do, but I do know I want to go to college. The track coach is giving me a tour of TCNJ next week, so I might do track, but I also might also go to Mercer for two years. Everything is all up in the air right now, but I know I will figure it out.