Huge congratulations to one of our Year 13s, Sofia Skidmore, who has signed to attend a US University in the Autumn on a highly competitive scholarship.

Sofia has returned her signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to the US and has committed to the University of North Carolina Pembroke for Fall 2024. Furthermore, she also gained a place at the Maynor Honors College which will support her academics.

A talented and dedicated athlete specialising in cross-country and track (800m, 1500m), Sofia is a Sports Prefect at Royal High and trains eight times a week and once a week with Team Bath AC. Sofia, we are so proud of you and wish you all the very best in your new Stateside adventure. We know how hard you have worked in all aspects of your school career, thoroughly deserved. 

When asked about her sporting achievements and how this has led to the next chapter in her life, Sofia said: "I have always been sporty but only really started running aged 15 which is considered quite late. However, I worked really hard and fortunately, was able to bring down my times and to be really competitive after only three years. I have been really lucky to have had a fantastic support system, my parents of course but also studying here at Royal High, all the staff especially the sports department have been great. 

"However, one of the biggest benefits about Sixth Form at RHB is that I have been able to do the IBDP (International Baccalaureate) which really helped me with my application in America. The international aspect made me a more attractive candidate, and in the States, they too have a more holistic approach and I felt they liked that I was able to demonstrate a wider breadth and balanced combination of subjects.

Sofia continued by saying: "I am so pleased and grateful to UNCP for recognising my potential and giving me this opportunity to attain my dreams. Applying for a sports scholarship at a US college was a pretty rigorous process. We had an agent who helped with the recruitment process and I gained contact with several universities. After meeting with Coach Ormsby, UNCP's Director of Cross-Country / Track and Field, I knew UNCP was the college for me, after spending several days with him, the team and getting to know them. I feel confident in Coach Ormsby, the UNCP XC/T&F program and the support system for student athletes. The university itself is also very impressive but at the same time has a nice community feel and the facilities are fantastic. 

"I am really excited to be joining the UNCP Braves in August and attending college in the US, especially exploring the different States while competing in races and travelling as part of the University's Cross-Country and Track team. UNCP is part of Conference Carolinas so for cross-country season, I will be travelling to other states around the US for races, which is so exciting!" 

Sofia and her mother recently visited North Carolina and met with Coach Ormsby, Director of the Cross Country/Track and Field program at University of North Carolina Pembroke and the team. 

Commenting on their visit, Mrs Skidmore said: "We had a very busy but exciting visit. It was surreal to experience the US university system in person, we were treated to the most welcoming southern hospitality, I feel confident that Sofia will be appreciated and supported both academically and athletically as well as being able to contribute to an already successful women’s team. 

"North Carolina is a beautiful state and we only saw a tiny fraction of it. The scale and passion for college athletics in the USA is unique and had to be seen first hand to be fully appreciated!”