Senior Spotlight: 'This life is something special'
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Times Recorder will highlight a senior from each of the seven Muskingum County schools. They were nominated for a Senior Spotlight by their school administration.
DUNCAN FALLS — Zoe Dodson has thrived on the softball diamond and basketball court.
The Philo senior took athletics for granted until two separate fractures to her right thumb in three years provided a new perspective.
The first came during her freshman year when the softball team was competing in the regional semifinal. It led to her thumb being put in the cast and missing six weeks of summer softball.
Two years later, she broke the same thumb in a different spot during her junior season of basketball. Doctors told her she would miss the season, but Dodson played with a splint so she could return to the court.
Dodson, who earned four letters in softball and three in basketball, learned about herself through those setbacks.
"My dad (Phil Dodson) had pushed me towards sports, and my older siblings played so it was what I knew," Dodson recalled. "The past four years have been very eye-opening. I remember complaining about practice and things like that, but it was tough not being out there.
“This life is something special, which is what I learned from sports,” she added. “But, it will apply to the rest of my life. I have learned to live in the moment and be present in whatever I do.”
Philo softball coach Michelle Moyer has seen Dodson's growth firsthand. Moyer started coaching Dodson in 10-and-under softball, and Dodson remembered her early struggles in the sport. She didn't hit the ball well as a right hander so coaches flipped her to the left side and tried to make her a slap hitter.
That didn't work either, but eventually, Dodson found her comfort zone from the left side of the plate.
"I hated softball because of that," Dodson recalled. "I got frustrated and cried, and the coaches would put me on the bench. Once, they let me swing from the left side, I got a lot better. It became much more fun."
Moyer was impressed with Dodson's persistence and work ethic. Those traits helped Dodson become one of the core pieces of the Electrics.
"She has grown so much since then. She has tried everything that we have asked of her. She works hard and is a great listener," Moyer said. "She is a great team player. She would not hesitate to bunt, even when she wanted to hit, and never complained about it. Doing what was best for the team always came first for Zoe.
"She has grown into a great young lady and a great team leader," she added. "She took the younger kids under her wing and was always there if they needed her. I'm so proud and privileged to have coached Zoe for the past eight years."
Dodson appreciated Moyer's influence, as well as girls head basketball coach Dan Hilty. Their contributions have made her a better person.
She also thanked her father, Phil, mother Sarah Hampp and stepfather Shawn Hampp, for their support through the years.
"Coach Hilty taught me about leadership and being able to step up when I'm called upon," she noted. "Coach Moyer always said the fat lady hasn't sung yet. No matter the situation we were in, she stayed positive and encouraged us. It showed me that I should keep fighting no matter what I'm facing."
The lessons learned through sports carried into the classroom. Dodson is one of the school's valedictorians, and she took college credit plus classes at Zane State and Hocking colleges to get a head start on her education.
Dodson will pursue a nursing degree at Muskingum University and wants to become a midwife.
"It was never my goal to be valedictorian. Then, going into my junior year, I realized that I still had a perfect GPA. That’s when things got serious," she said. "I'm interested in women's health and caring for babies, being a nurse midwife allows me to combine those. I want to help people through those experiences."
Serving others, especially in the community, has become important to Dodson. She was a member of National Honors Society, Key Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Fellowship of Christian Students and Athletes. She also was involved at her church, Cornerstone Full Gospel, and YOUTH at Cornerstone, their youth group.
She is grateful for the chance to stay close to home during college and appreciates the recognition from the Philo administration.
“I always wanted to leave the Zanesville area as soon as I graduated. Reality started to set in during my senior year, and I knew I would miss my family and hometown," she said. "Being recognized shows hard work pays off. It makes me thankful that I pushed myself, and I appreciate the support of my parents, coaches and teachers. I wouldn't be in this spot without all of them."
bhannahs@gannett.com
Twitter: @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: 'This life is something special'
