Ruby Kollar knew she was always meant to be on the softball team.
She joined as a freshman but quit soon after, not feeling confident in her abilities. Unwilling to give up, she tried out again her junior year.
What You Need To Know
Ruby Kollar is a starting pitcher and team captain for the varsity softball team at the Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria
She also plays soccer in the fall, enjoys documentary filmmaking, and volunteers with a local little league
Kollar plans to attend Ithaca College next year to study television, photography and digital media
“I came back, and I was really confident in myself, and I knew that softball was something I was really passionate about. So, I decided to join, and it worked out again. I made the team,” Kollar said.
“I love being part of the team. I love being a captain. And just every part of the game is just so collaborative. And I know that everyone has my back,” she said.
The senior at the Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria takes pride in her role as a starting pitcher and team captain.
“I’m very much a team mom. I want everyone to be on time, to be changed, and to be out of the school at like a good time so that we can get there on time,” Kollar said.
Kollar’s leadership skills and kindness extend beyond the field.
“Teaching Ruby has been a pleasure. She’s definitely one of the most athletic in our school and she’s just a pleasure to teach because she’s always there for you,” athletic director James Franco said.
“Even when you don’t ask, she’s the type of student that will do anything you ask her to, or you didn’t ask her to. So, she’s always there to volunteer and she’s always there to help out in any way that she can,” Franco said.
Even with a schedule that also includes several advanced placement courses, soccer in the fall, documentary filmmaking and volunteer work with the local little league, Kollar still manages a near perfect G.P.A. She credits softball with helping her to balance it all.
“I think collaboration is one of the most important things that softball has taught me. I’m collaborative on the softball team and then I’m also collaborative working in school and I think like collaboration is really important when it comes to school but like also the rest of my life,” Kollar said.
Kollar will combine her love of sports and media at Ithaca College next year. She plans to study television, photography and digital media, carrying with her the lessons softball taught her both on and off the field.