Sports continue to play an important role in the life of Alexis Connelly, 17.

 The daughter of Michael and Corinne Connelly, of Merrillville, and a senior at Merrillville High School, she is the football team manager and a four-year varsity golfer. She's played No. 1 singles and been named the team's Most Valuable Player the last three years.

 Now, Connelly is considering a career in sports, possibly sports management and administration. She has applied to a number of colleges including Ball State University, St. Joseph College, University of Southern Indiana, Purdue University, Manchester College, Indiana State University, Franklin College and the University of Notre Dame.

"I just love sports, especially football," she said. "I would like to start by working for a professional football team and then become an individual agent.

 "I want to do something in sports, to meet new people and do interesting things," she added. This past summer, Connelly was a volunteer coach for Special Olympics golf through the Valparaiso Parks Department.

 An honor student, Connelly maintains a 3.64 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, taking Advance Placement government, macro economics, English and psychology, along with French IV. She is treasurer of National Honor Society, active in student government and Key Club, a service group affiliated with Kiwanis Club that is preparing for a chili cook-off to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana Chapter. She also participates in Family Career Community Leaders of America and the Merrillville Pirate Athletic Council.

 Connelly will again take the PNN class offered at the high school that puts students in key roles for Pirate News Network. She also works at Schoop's Hamburgers in Schererville and, in the summer, also works at TLC Preschool in Highland.

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