HUDSONVILLE, Mich. — Our next Meijer Scholar Athlete of the week has a big heart and a resume that stands out more than most.
Unity Christian High School student Karli Velzen is a pro at balancing all of her activities.
The senior Crusader swims, dives, plays basketball and tennis - and those are just the sports she's involved in.
Velzen also plays viola in the orchestra, leads her youth group praise team and umpires little league softball.
If that isn't enough, she is also one of the top students in her class with a 4.0 GPA.
Velzen says being a good student athlete comes down to one thing.
"[It takes] a lot of grit," Velzen said. "It takes a lot of time. I am up late studying, up early to lift for swim. You just put in the effort all of the time. It's kind of difficult but you have to time manage it. Take every opportunity of free time to use it productively so you can have free time to fun things later. Just work hard. Put in the work because it is going to pay off. Put in the work all of the time. Do your best and enjoy the process."
Velzen hopes to attend Hope College or Olivet Nazarene.... she does not know what she will major in yet but her dream job is to become a tennis coach.