WOODBURY — For many high school students, balancing sports and academics is a challenge, but for sophomore Greta Addeo, it’s all about passion. 

Whether it’s in the art studio or on the soccer field, Addeo finds inspiration in the things that fuel her creativity and devotion to all that she does.

“They are the reason I wake up in the morning,” Addeo said. “They are the things that keep me going.” 

Her dedication to both soccer and art has propelled her success in both arenas.

As an out-of-district student from Watertown, Addeo didn’t feel confident about her soccer abilities entering her freshman year in 2023.

“I genuinely didn’t even think I was gonna make the team,” said Addeo, now a sophomore.

Prior to freshman year, Addeo didn’t take her preparations lightly.

“Before freshman year, I was really committed to trying to be the best soccer player I could be,” Addeo said. “I met with a personal trainer the summer of freshman year specifically for soccer to help me build endurance and muscle in areas that I needed it most.”

Through these constant efforts, she succeeded in her first year and entered the starting lineup.

“Her toughness both physically and mentally showed that she was going to be gritty,” former girls soccer coach Nick Sheikh said. “Most importantly, she had the fitness, which gave her the ability to go toe to toe with most attackers.”

For senior goalie Savannah Czerepacha, it was Addeo’s soccer intelligence that’s stood out over the past two seasons.

“When Greta first started, I knew she would fit great with the defense,” Czerepacha said. “She has that knowledge on positioning and where to cut off passing lanes, she’s calm when passing, and creates great opportunities.”

The same motive and dedication that Addeo has inspired other teammates to be a person to look up to, not just on the soccer field.

“She’s always been a hard worker,” freshman midfielder Rosie Makarewicz said. “She has always taken practices and games really seriously. She was the person I looked up to when I was a little seventh-grader and the person I look up to now.”

Soccer isn’t Addeo’s only love. Ever since Addeo was a little girl, art has always been her passion.

“I have always loved to [make art] since I was a little kid,” Addeo said. “I knew I loved it from the start. It was something that none of my siblings were good at, so it was special to me.”

From then on, her devotion to her art has only grown.

“I think that I love art so much more now because I’m not held to a certain standard of how I should draw,” said Addeo. 

In Addeo’s art, she familiarizes all of her pieces with the same retro theme.  

“I like to use vibrant colors everywhere,” Addeo said, “most importantly in places where you wouldn’t necessarily need color.”

Art teacher Leeza Desjardins has had an opportunity to see Addeo’s development firsthand.

“Greta is an amazing artist,” Desjardins said. “I definitely see her going far with her skills and motive to always work hard.”

Extracurriculars for any high school student can be difficult to manage. However, Addeo has found a happy medium with both.  

“I have a lot of emotions from my sports,” Addeo said. “Art really helps me express that.” 

Upon expressing her emotions through soccer and art, Makarewicz finds it notable for Addeo’s effort. 

“It’s always fun to just see [her artwork],” Makarewicz said. “To see how different she can be from when she’s drawing compared to when she’s on a field is always something to be fond of.” 

The creativity that Addeo has shown in the classroom and on the field has sparked future interest in her artistic abilities. 

“I want to be a tattoo artist someday,” said Addeo, “so I’m really trying to work towards that goal.”