She scores goals, hits high notes, aces her classes, and still makes time for coffee breaks—Skylar Denyes isn’t just busy, she’s unstoppable.
For Senior Skylar Denyes, life never really slows down. Between school, soccer, singing in From The Top, and working a part-time job, her days are filled from morning to night. Even with such a crazy schedule, Denyes manages to keep a positive attitude and give her all to everything she does. Whether she’s leading her soccer team, hitting high notes on stage, or squeezing in homework at a coffee shop. Her story is one of balance, drive, and the kind of dedication that leaves a lasting impression on everyone around her.
Balancing everything isn’t easy, and for Denyes, time management has become an everyday challenge.
“Honestly, it’s really hard and stressful, but it’s okay,” Denyes said. “I do a lot of late-night homework, like until 10 or 11. I also take work-based learning and have a free fourth hour, so I can get homework done during the day. I just squeeze it in whenever I can—even if it’s just 15 or 30 minutes here and there. It all adds up.”
That kind of time management takes discipline and serious motivation. But for Denyes, the rewards of doing what she loves are worth every stressful moment.
“The feeling of making a good pass, scoring, or winning a game is amazing. It’s like all your hard work is worth it,” Denyes said. “And for a cappella, it’s the same. Being on stage and performing just makes me want to keep doing it.”
Denyes’s love for her activities shows in her attitude. Whether she’s singing harmonies or running drills, she brings passion and purpose to every moment. But even she admits that the pressure can get overwhelming. Last year, she found herself juggling soccer, a cappella, a brand-new job, and some family challenges all at once.
“It got to a point where I was just completely overwhelmed,” Denyes said. “So, I took one day off. I didn’t go to school or anything. I just needed that one day to get everything done and breathe. That mental health day helped me push through the rest of the soccer season.”
That’s something more students could probably learn from is knowing when to power through and when to pause. Denyes has found ways to stay grounded, even with everything going on. Her go-to reset is coffee shops.
“The setting of a coffee shop is so calming to me,” Denyes said. “It helps me recharge. I’ll go to Biggby or a local shop and just hang out or do homework. It’s my little mental break that keeps me going.”
On the soccer field, Denyes is just as impressive. Varsity assistant coach Sami Ulstad has seen plenty of athletes come through the program, but Denyes stands out not just for her talent, but for her attitude and effort. After spending most of her high school career as a varsity goalkeeper, Skylar made a big shift this season, playing on the field and quickly becoming the team’s leading goal scorer.
“She’s our top scorer right now, which is amazing,” Ulstad said. “Going from goalie to forward is not easy, but Skylar’s attitude, work ethic, and leadership have made a huge impact on the team.”
Denyes never stops working, even when the team is losing.
“She’s that player who keeps sprinting until the very last second,” Ulstad said. “She sets the tone with her effort. She’s competitive, positive, and always encouraging her teammates.”
Senior teammate Hannah Hoover agrees. Skylar brings the perfect mix of fun and focus.
“She’s a great leader because she knows the game so well, she’s been playing for over eight years,” Hoover said. “She can be serious when we need to be focused, but she’s also funny and helps keep the team relaxed.”
One of Hoover’s favorite memories of Skylar is watching her play as a forward after years as a goalie, and still crushing it.
“She was scoring goals even though she hadn’t played on the field much before,” Hoover said. “It was so cool to see her dominate in a different position.”
Off the field, Denyes is just as respected. Skylar is humble, honest, and never afraid to admit when she makes a mistake.
“She’ll apologize if she messes up or if her emotions get the best of her,” Hoover said. “That takes a lot of maturity, especially from someone as talented as her.”
Denyes’s impact isn’t just in her performance, it’s how she leads. Whether it’s helping a teammate through a rough practice or skipping a team dinner to get her life in order, she knows how to prioritize what matters.
“She has good grades, she’s in choir and a cappella, she shows up for games, and still makes time for friends and family,” Hoover said. “She just knows what’s important and how to handle it.”
Looking back at her high school years, Denyes has a simple message for younger students trying to balance it all.
“Don’t be so scared of overdoing it that you don’t try new things,” Denyes said. “But also, don’t push yourself so hard that you can’t breathe. Finding the right balance is all about trial and error.”
In her freshman and sophomore years, Denyes wasn’t involved enough. Then junior year, she took on too much. Now, in her senior year, she’s found that sweet spot, and it’s paid off in every area of her life.
As she gets ready to graduate, Denyes will 100% be missed. Her coaches, teammates, and friends all agree that she isn’t just a great athlete or performer; she’s someone who brings energy, heart, and leadership to everything she does.
“She’ll be remembered,” Ulstad said. “Not just for her skills, but for her attitude and how hard she works. She sets a great example for everyone.”
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