Student-athletes at Pfeiffer University bring an array of hobbies and interests with them to the village of Misenheimer, which contributes to the diversity of the village.
With one freshman and a member of the women's soccer program, those hobbies bring an artistic flair to campus.
Bella Siler, a freshman from Thomasville, North Carolina, produces sculpture, not with chisels but with a welding torch.
Siler credited one of her teachers at East Davidson High School for opening her up to the world of welding sculpture.
"It's really helped me build a work ethic, and the skills that I've gotten from it have translated for a lot of other areas," Siler said.
As part of her time in high school sculpting, Siler said she competed several times in welding sculpture in the national SkillsUSA Championships.
Her art, she added, comes from meticulous planning, with drawings and such ready before she begins.
"I'm very much a planner; I'll have my whole plan out," Siler said.
Siler said she draws inspiration from the world around her, along with what other people are creating.
The freshman defender added she is working on plans to do a sculpture on the island at Gibson Lake.
Regarding her first season with the Falcons, Siler said, "I really enjoyed playing with this team. I've never been able to play at this level of a team before, so it was really cool to see this side of the game."
Unfortunately for Siler, she was injured towards the end of the season, but said she was "really excited for next season and hopefully continuing to improve."
Siler, who is involved with Milton Rose Research Fellows and other aspects of the school's biology department, said she likes the small school atmosphere of Pfeiffer.
"It's been beneficial on both sides of (being a student-athlete), but I really love it," Siler said.
One of the first things you recognize after working with Bella is that she is willing and dedicated to doing the demanding work that makes you a better player," Pfeiffer head women's soccer coach Acasio Roche said.
"Isabella is highly coachable and has personal expectations that reside close to chasing perfection. She understands that things will not always work out as we plan and when those moments happen, you use them as teachable moments for future opportunities. She is a fantastic teammate and brings positivity to the team's culture."
