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Tira Waksmonski Chats Athletic Future with U.S. Coast Guard Academy Softball; Future in Federal Law Enforcement
In life, there are a few concepts that rank above all. Some of these things that take precedence are health, faith, supportive people, and country. If someone is lucky to have good health, a great support system, strong faith and will, and a safe country to live in, they truly are one of the lucky ones. It’s heartbreaking to think that not nearly enough people around the world have all of these aspects fulfilled. However, many of us here in the United States do. But why is that? Well, one of the reasons is because our military members continue to provide us here in our country with the luxury to obtain all of those concepts previously listed.
In the coming weeks, Allison Park, Pennsylvania native, Tira Waksmonski, will become one of the newest military members of the United States Coast Guard. The Deer Lakes School District senior will be off for “Swab Summer” at the United States Coast Guard Academy. This training constitutes basic training for academy attendees. Right after completion, college starts and fall softball will begin in college for the first time for the four-time Deer Lakes letter winner.
I actually discovered the Coast Guard and Academy as what I wanted to do much later than most at the beginning of my senior year,” explained Waksmonski. “I’ve always wanted to do federal law enforcement since I was eight-years old. When I was researching, I saw military experience as common within those jobs. I did some research into all the academies and discovered the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) where I could do that type of law enforcement right out of college. Being in a smaller branch of the military, it will give me the opportunity to make a true, direct impact everyday in my future career.”
The USCGA accepts just 19 percent of applicants according to various sources, making it an incredibly competitive opportunity to earn post high school. The institution competes at the Division III level in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) and is located in New London, Connecticut. At the time of this piece, the USCGA Bears are looking to go over 30 wins for the season and are one of the favorites to win a NEWMAC crown. For Waksmonski, she cannot wait to join these cadets who share a similar mindset and drive.
“I went on an overnight “Cadet for a Day” visit at the academy and got in contact with the softball coach at my visit where I got to lift with the team, go to classes, and get the full experience of the academy in general. My visit was honestly one of the best experiences I have ever had. To see all the cadets and athletes who work so hard made me want to go there even more. I love the structure, discipline, hard work, unique opportunities, and fun that the academy brings; especially the emphasis on physical fitness.”
But let’s not look too far ahead; Waksmonski still has the rest of high school softball left. The program is coming off a WPIAL runner-up finish in class AAA in 2022. The team also won a sectional title and made a run through the PIAA state playoffs. In March, she was named her school’s Athlete of the Month. She’s shown versatility in her career with spending time in the circle, at first-base, and even in the outfield.
It’s common to see this versatility for softball players, especially those who have extended experience on the club scene like she does. The Allegheny County native previously played for Nitro Fastpitch and Pittsburgh Spirit in the past, but her current organization is the Pittsburgh Tigers. “The organization means so much to me,” she noted. “Getting to play with and spend my summers with my best friends is honestly an experience I will never forget.”
Playing so much softball and prioritizing fitness over the years has also allowed her to grow close with her hitting coach, Kate Hedderman, and her high school physical education teacher and swimming coach, Lauren Hedderman. Both of these women have been positive role models for her and helped her to become a future college athlete. But before these two came into her life, her father, Mark, instilled a sound work ethic and a passion for the game into her. “He has put in so much to help make me the player and person I am today. He never put pressure on me and I’ve been able to keep my love for softball. But, he did teach me the importance of working hard.”
Hard work is putting it mildly for Waksmonski. In addition to her commitments as a softball player, she is also a softball instructor, a long-time employee at McDonalds, an inductee into the National Honor Society, an inductee into the French National Honor Society, and a member of Stand Together and Hope Squad that prioritizes mental health for students at Deer Lakes High. With an involvement list this long, making the transition to college will be a bit easier. Though joining the military is no easy task.
In college, Waksmonski intends to major in government with an emphasis in security studies. Her dream career path is to be deployed on a Fast Response Cutter and perform drug interdiction, migrant interdiction, port security, and other law enforcement. She also one day hopes to work for the Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) in Manama, Bahrain.
It may be a dream pathway, but Tira Waksmonski is the type of person who has the drive to make this path a reality. The future is bright for the Deer Lakes senior, and much of it is thanks to the United States Coast Guard Academy helping to kick-start the next chapter of her life.
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