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In the spotlight: Stephanie Schell
University housing resident and lady Panther shares secrets to her success
By Michelle Sauer
“I miss all that high school had to offer socially, now that I’ve lost a lot of free time with my new commitments between school and basketball.” –Stephanie Schell, UWM women’s basketball player
Children are told from a young age that if they dream big they can do anything they want to. Sophomore Stephanie Schell took her parents up on the offer to dream big.
Schell is a 19-year-old UW-Milwaukee junior. Not only is she a student, she’s a successful athlete as well, in her position as guard for the UWM women’s basketball team.
Ever since kindergarten Schell has had big dreams of becoming a basketball star. Her father was a big influence throughout her career, remaining her coach from grade school throughout her four years at New Berlin Eisenhower High School.
Schell considers him to be one of her greatest motivators, and, smiling, she thanks him for pushing her as hard as he did. Of course, being a coach, motivator and parent can cause tension. This being the case, Schell takes a moment to laugh and thank her mother for putting up with Dad and her during arguments.
Extending her big dream mindset into the future, Schell has hopes for a family and career in Connecticut. Why Connecticut? Connecticut is home to the ESPN quarters, Schell’s future place of employment, optimistically.
She is thankful that she was able to receive a full-ride scholarship to UWM because it makes possible two of her big dreams, basketball and ESPN. Schell is currently pursuing a major in Journalism and Mass Communications with an emphasis in broadcast, which she hopes will lead her to ESPN.
When asked how she hopes to accomplish this dream Schell has a ready response.
“I will do as much internship as it takes to make it to Connecticut,” Schell says. “I would absolutely love to be on camera.”
At UWM, she became a captain, even at her younger age on the team, a big accomplishment many would agree. It is here Schell says she has learned many valuable lessons of responsibility, time management, and teamwork through this experience.
Her camera-ready smile continues to show as she describes life before her success at UWM.
“I miss all that high school had to offer socially now that I’ve lost a lot of free time with my new commitments between school and basketball,” she states. “I used to love going to dances, sporting events and movies at the Ridge theater.”
Schell already looks forward to summer coming again, when she’ll have more time for being outdoors on the beach.
From “the bubble,” as Schell refers to her hometown of New Berlin, Wis., to Milwaukee, and from Milwaukee hopefully, one day, to Connecticut, Schell will continue pursuing her current endeavors and building on those big dreams for the future.
“My friends and family say…I laugh and smile too much, even when it’s not appropriate,” Schell continues. “I find the good in situations.”
Keep up the optimism, Stephanie, and we’ll all look forward to seeing you on the big screen some day soon.
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