With an increasingly global outlook, King’s Sixth Form pupils are looking further afield for their university education.

Leading the way this year has been Emily, who has determinedly pursued her goal of studying in the USA. Offering both high academic potential and outstanding hockey skills, we are delighted that Emily has secured a place at St Louis University, Missouri. Indeed, Emily has been awarded an athletic scholarship to play in the university hockey side, known as the Billikens. A Division 1 hockey team, she will be competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Mr Eriksson, Head of Hockey at King’s, commented: “I am delighted for Emily and her scholarship is a huge credit to how hard she has worked and it is thoroughly deserved. She has been a key player in the successful King’s Bruton Hockey Programme during her time at the School and I am excited to see where her hockey will take her in the future.”

Emily’s achievements continued into academic recognition, and she has also been awarded a prestigious Deans’ Scholarship in recognition of her academic potential and hard work to date. Emily, who will major in Health Sciences, has shown real determination in achieving this goal. Supported by Aspire USA, the process started in the L6^th Form and will culminate in Emily heading out to St Louis in August, where she will start the next chapter in her education with some intense pre-season training.  

Emily, who has been to visit St Louis twice and in April flew out to meet her future teammates, can’t wait to get started: “St Louis is a vibrant city on the Mississippi River and I am so excited that I have the opportunity to live and study there for the next four years whilst representing the university playing a high level of field hockey in Division 1. The university is in the heart of the city, the facilities are amazing and everyone I have met has been so welcoming. I would definitely encourage more people to follow this path, although the application process is lengthy it brings many incredible opportunities and a huge sense of achievement!”

Will Daws, Head of Sixth Form remarked: “I am absolutely thrilled for Emily. Throughout her time in the Sixth Form, and indeed before then, Emily’s determination and ambition have been most impressive and I am delighted that her potential, both academic and sporting, has been recognised by the excellent St Louis University. We look forward to following her progress with the team and in her studies. It is a mark of the increasing global awareness and ambition, which we encourage in King’s Sixth Form pupils, that they are looking further afield for university places. Emily’s example will further encourage others to take that step.”

You can follow Emily’s hockey progress through the Billikens website  or @SLUfieldhockey on Twitter. We look forward to hearing how Emily gets on and wish her the very best for the her exciting time ahead in St Louis.

Will Daws - Head of Sixth Form