Simone Bart-Plange Shines Bright as CIF LA City Section's Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Simone Bart-Plange has been honored with the prestigious CIF Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award for the CIF LA City Section. This remarkable achievement not only recognizes Simone's athletic prowess but also her commitment to academic excellence. A heartfelt congratulations to Simone for this well-deserved recognition.

Bart-Plange's journey to becoming the recipient of the CIF Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award has been nothing short of inspiring. Her dedication to balancing rigorous academic demands with the additional pressures of competitive athletics sets her apart as a true role model for her peers. She has excelled in the track and field arena, but she has also consistently demonstrated a passion for learning and growth within the classroom. Simone's achievements in both realms are a testament to her work ethic and determination.

In an interview, Bart-Plange shared her thoughts on receiving this honor. When asked about the significance of the CIF Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, she expressed, "All my hard work, on and off the track is really paying off and I am doing my due diligence to succeed not only as an athlete but also as a student. This is really big for the team as well because as a team captain, I am a role model for the underclassmen and fellow teammates. This shows them that we are not limited to the title of an 'athlete' and we should work hard in the classroom as well."

As a grade 12 student, Simone will be graduating this year and looks to her future with great ambitions. She details her future, "In the fall, I'll be heading to Stanford University - it's been a dream school for a long time, so to be able to live out my dream on 'the Farm' is really exciting! The goal is to eventually get on their track team and give myself as many opportunities as possible. I plan on going pre-med so, I will be a Human Biology major." Simone advises younger student-athletes to be mindful of the competitive mindsets; go-getters, achieve personal records, run faster, and get stronger. She shares these milestones are met through a lot of hard work, patience, and self-confidence. Her advice is to carry over those aspects as athletes into the classroom in order also to excel as students. 

"We are students before we are athletes; you don't have to sacrifice one for the other." (Simone Bart-Plange)

Upon asking who she attributes this achievement to, Bart-Plange praised her coach, Coach Wiley, saying his support and understanding of both her academic and athletic career have been a big help. She also mentions her training group, who are with her every day as teammates and good friends. Lastly, she recognized her family support, "Definitely my parents played a big role in this title. Both of them were student-athletes as well in high school and my dad continued his athletic career in college. They became these models for what I can achieve academically and athletically. I appreciate them for instilling those qualities within me."   

Simone Bart-Plange's remarkable journey serves as motivation. Her commitment, both on and off the track, exemplifies the spirit of a true scholar-athlete. A sincere congratulations to Simone for receiving the CIF Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. We are confident that this recognition is just the beginning of a remarkable future ahead.