CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman senior Aubrey Hastings collected her diploma in May, and in this interview, she reflected on some of her favorite soccer memories and what it was like to play alongside great teammates and friends.
“My favorite memories from soccer had to be our beach tournaments down in Gulf Shores. The best part was forming a closer bond with my teammates and coaches,” Hastings said. “Playing alongside my best friends is an experience like no other. I absolutely loved the support and encouragement I would receive from each of them. They really helped to push me to be a better player. I learned that no matter what, I needed to keep my head up and keep pushing. At the end of the day, they were always in my corner.”
Aubrey played under some great coaches at Cullman and soaked up as much as she could from them.
“My coaches were hard on us. They saw something in us that we couldn’t see. They held us to a certain standard, which was high, yet obtainable. Each coach encouraged each of us to unlock and discover our potential. I learned that no matter what, no matter how hard, no matter how draining something is, pushing through and doing your best is the most rewarding part.”
Aubrey will deeply miss playing at Cullman this upcoming season, and she was a part of some great games during her career. She shared her favorite high school memory and what made Cullman a special place to go to school.
“I will miss the atmosphere and the buildup to big games. Our area games were a big deal. We took them very seriously and would do our best to keep up team morale,” Hastings said. “My favorite games were our games against Hartselle. They have been our rivals for a long time, so the games against them were competitive and fast paced. My favorite high school memory was my senior spring break trip to Panama Beach with my best friend. Cullman High School is special, because it feels like home. The teachers care, the classes push us to be our best, and there’s a strong sense of community. Whether it’s sports, band, or clubs, there’s something for everyone, and people always show up to support. It’s a place where we learn, grow, and make memories.”
She will miss so much about being a Bearcat, and she gave some advice to the students that will be starting high school in August.
“What I’ll remember and miss the most about going to Cullman is the sense of family. The friends, the Friday night lights, the teachers who believed in me, and all the little moments in between. It all made Cullman feel like home. I’ll miss the people the most, because they’re what made it so special,” she said. “Be yourself. Be you. People will judge you, no matter what. Don’t listen to them. Don’t stress out about what other people think about you.”
God has played an enormous role during Aubrey’s time at Cullman, and she shared her favorite Bible verse.
“God has played a big role during my time at Cullman. In tough moments, I’ve leaned on my faith for strength and direction. Whether it was through prayer, friendships, or just feeling His presence, I’ve been reminded that I’m never alone. My faith has helped shape who I am and kept me grounded through it all,” she said. “My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10: ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’. When I go through difficult times, I look back at this verse and realize that no matter what, I have a purpose and am upheld by God.”
Aubrey went through a routine before and after games and being a role model and an inspiration to a lot of kids on and off the soccer field were two of her top priorities.
“I have a routine every time I stepped onto the field. I would first fist bump each of my defenders, run to the goal and hit it, and finally make a sign of a cross at the top of the box. After a game, no matter if it was a win or a loss, I would thank God for the opportunity to step onto the field with some amazing people,” she said. “Being a role model has meant a lot to me, both on and off the field. I know younger kids are always watching, so I’ve tried to lead by example: showing good sportsmanship, working hard, and treating others with respect. It’s not just about how you play, but how you carry yourself every day. Knowing I might have inspired someone to chase their goals or believe in themselves is one of the best parts of it all.”
Aubrey participated in several clubs at Cullman, and she was also a Citizen’s Promise Ambassador. She earned a couple of scholarships from the University of South Alabama as well.
“I was a Citizen’s Promise Ambassador. Citizen’s Promise helps high school students become life, career, and citizen ready. I was in charge of keeping students involved in program activities and serving as liaisons between the school, community, and the program organizers,” she said. “I received a Freshman Admission Scholarship for $3,000 and a Jag Dream Scholarship for $1,000. I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to receive these scholarships.”
She took away so much during her time at Cullman, and she wants people to remember her for the kind of person she was, in and outside of school.
“I learned the importance of perseverance and staying true to who I am. Whether it was in class, on the field, or just in everyday life, Cullman taught me how to keep pushing forward, even when things got tough, and to always treat people with kindness and respect,” she said. “I hope people remember me as someone who gave it her all, someone who worked hard, encouraged others, and stayed positive, no matter what. Whether it was in sports, school, or just being a friend, I tried to show up and make a difference.”
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