By UTA PR Student Ashley Ayub

ARLINGTON, Texas - There is more to senior Shelbi Sikes than her numerous awards on the softball field. She is a small-town girl from Crandall, Texas with dreams of giving back to the community by becoming a teacher and coach to young students.

Although she does not have much time off when it comes to balancing school, softball and her dog, she thoroughly enjoys being an education major. Sikes is a busy senior at UTA, she has nothing but good things to say about having almost no time off in her schedule because she simply enjoys her major and softball so much.

After graduation Sikes wants to follow in her parent's footsteps and be a teacher to first or second grade students.

"It pretty much runs in the family," Sikes said.

She also plans to continue softball outside of college and coach her own team one day. Sikes is currently doing an internship at a local school and learning how to teach and develop her own lesson plans to be able to teach a class on her own. Sikes lights up when she talks about teaching and enjoys the idea of working with the younger elementary kids.

"I just love that age group they're more imaginative," Sikes said.

As for her plans of eventually coaching her own team, her long list of awards in the diamond prove that she is qualified. She always seems to bring her team up with her spirit and dedication in the field and has been a starter since freshman year.

Sikes holds the single season RBI record with 45 that she set as a sophomore and is quickly approaching her career Top-10 in doubles, extra-base hits, RBI and walks. Not only is Sikes a talented athlete on the softball diamond, but she has a heart for her community and young people