Sydney Staver was a major asset in the Mineral Point girls 2015-16 state championship. Her senior year she averaged about 22 points per game. She went on to continue her basketball career at the University of Milwaukee. Mineral Point has affected Syd’s life in many ways. She said,

“I am very grateful that I was raised in a small town because I learned to appreciate the little things. I think it says a lot that people who grow up in MP eventually return to raise their families there. I believe that kids who grow up in a small town eventually understand the impact of living in a small town, as staying busy involves having great relationships and being involved deeply in the community. Growing up in such a small community and transitioning to a bigger city, I have learned that relationships are more meaningful and genuine. At Mineral Point, you have so many people behind you who provide you with the necessary tools to succeed because they want that for you. Many adults in my life from MP have played a huge part in my success as a growing adult. My time with Coach Wainwright at MP greatly impacted my success outside Mineral Point. He held me accountable out of a genuine desire for me to succeed. His tough love taught me to stay humble and strive to be my best. He helped me understand my potential and learn to persevere through tough college career moments on and off the court.”

After graduating high school in 2017, Syd attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to obtain her bachelor’s degree. She received her bachelor’s degree in Occupational Science and Technology with a minor in psychology. While at UWM, She was also on the women’s basketball team. We talked with Syd and this is what she had to say about her experience,

“With the opportunity to play basketball, I ultimately chose to attend Milwaukee because I wanted to stay somewhat close to home. As an athlete, I was heavily involved in volunteering around Milwaukee [in]Athletes in Action which is a bible study group specifically for student-athletes, and different student-athlete organizations. Milwaukee is a really exciting place to be because something is always happening. Whether that is a Buck’s game, the multiple food or music festivals, or heading to the beach, I never had trouble keeping myself busy outside of school and basketball.

Syd is attending graduate school obtaining her master’s degree in physical therapy. Her program is 2.5 years, and she will graduate in December 2023. Right now Syd is working at a successful networking job.

Her future plans are to use her master’s degree in a clinical setting and practice as an occupational therapist. She says that she enjoys working with the pediatric population and her plan is to use her skills in a school-based or outpatient setting.

When we asked what classes were most beneficial to take for her degree she exclaimed,

“I am not saying this because she is my mom, but I would pay attention to any English class or library-provided courses as it helps your professional development and communication skills. English class is relevant to virtually all fields and careers. Being a professional requires you to use proper grammar in spoken language, write grammatically correct emails and papers/reports, and analyze literature effectively. Specifically for my degree, my program is very research-based. I review and analyze research literature in every course, and I have to utilize what I have read to apply to my clinical skills or write research papers. Using current research informs my practice as an occupational therapist, so analyzing literature will never go away in my career.

Also, I took anatomy and physiology with Mr. Steger and physics with Mr. Austin. These two classes are heavily used in my profession for clinical thinking skills and judgment to provide treatment and interventions. I felt more prepared having that knowledge in high school going into college. It’s important to know that many programs require you to maintain above a B to even be considered for acceptance into the program and stay in the program.”
We asked her what teacher had the greatest impact on her and she said,
“The teacher who has the biggest impact on my life is my mom, Mrs. Staver. She has taught my brother and me how to be extensively involved in a community and strive for distinction. We witnessed her as a coach and saw great discipline and determination. My brother and I witnessed greatness from a young age in athletics, as she won 20 straight state titles during her time in a coaching position. I will always remember how my mom put her students and the school district before herself. She sacrifices her personal time because she takes pride in seeing the school district and the students succeed – she is the most unselfish person I have ever known. I have seen her continuously evolve as a teacher, using different teaching styles, utilizing new technology in her classroom, and creating relevant curriculums and lesson plans for her current students, as she values preparing MPHS kids to succeed as they enter the workforce or attend college. I believe the impact that my mom has made on the school district is something that will last a long time. The school is lucky to have her on staff, and my brother and I are even more fortunate to have her as our mom.”

Syd believes that being a student-athlete continues to contribute to her career success. She said,

“Many of my skills as a student-athlete have been very useful for me in my professional life. Being a student-athlete, I have learned the importance of commitment, time management, creative thinking, and collaboration. I think athletics has helped me learn to stay calm when performing under pressure and be adaptable. As a team captain, I have developed useful leadership skills to apply professionally. I value the importance of building meaningful relationships and promoting inclusivity for all.”

Following this we asked her if there was any advice she would give to the future generation if they are planning to play sports in college. She replied,

“First and foremost, athletics do not last the rest of your life, but your education and degree do. Go to college to obtain a degree – student before athlete. My piece of advice for athletes who want to continue their sports in college is to think about your why (why do you play the sport). Your why should give you a purpose and be a motivator that reminds you of your values and goals. I played because I enjoyed making my family and myself proud. I love to prove my doubt wrong that I can do tough things physically and mentally. Another huge aspect of my why was leaning into my faith. Participating at the highest level and giving my best at all times is a huge blessing.”

Syd is a very authentic, sincere, and loyal person, and Mineral Point is grateful to have been a step and a great influence on Syd’s life.