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Sara Simons has used sports to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

The Tidioute Community Charter School senior had surgery for an ACL tear in 2007. Up to that point, she wasn't even sure she wanted to go to college.

Now, she wants to become a physical therapist.

When she went to physical therapy for her knee, she watched how it impacted others - from infants at Shriners Hospital for Children in Erie, to the elderly here in Warren.

"Since she's decided on what she's wanted to do, her grades have been better," said her mother, Holly.

It's a perfect job for a "thoughtful" person who has been in love with sports since she was five, said her mother.

"At five years old, we signed her up for tee-ball," said Holly. "From the first game on, it was every single sport."

If she had to hurt her knee all over again to help her decide her future, she would.

Right?

"Ah, no," Sara responded quickly.

A little "Q & A" with Sara Simons:

Q: Who are your parents, siblings, what sports do you play?

A: My parents are Harold and Holly Simons; I have three brothers, Mike and Dan Mineweaser and Harold Simons, and I have three sisters, Nicole Mineweaser, Daryl, and Kaula Simons.

I play volleyball, basketball, and softball.

Q: I understand you are a twin?

A: No, I am not a twin; my sister, Daryl, and I look alike, and are often mistaken as twins, but she is 20 months older.

Q: Tell me a little about your time with volleyball. How long have you played the sport, and what kinds of steps did it take from when you started to how you play now?

A: I played volleyball my freshman year and this year. My coach, Margorie Manning, taught me everything I know. I started varsity as a freshman and started getting a lot better towards the end of my freshman year, but then I quit and didn't start back up until this year, so I pretty much had to start from scratch.

Q: What's your favorite sport?

A: I like all the sports, but my favorite sport, not just to play but to watch, is basketball.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages (positives/negatives) for playing for a small program like Tidioute Charter? Advantages or disadvantages for going to TCCS? Advantages or disadvantages for living where you live as opposed to NYC or a more-urban area? Ultimately, do you see yourself as a small-town girl or do you want to experience big-city life?

A: The advantages for playing for Tidioute is that all of the players on the team get a lot of playing time, there are no tryouts, and everybody gets along.

The best advantage for going to TCCS is the one-on-one time with the teachers because the classes are small.

I definitely see myself as a small-town girl. I don't think I could ever live in a big city.

Q: What do you want to become? Have you decided on college, or...?

A: I want to go to Edinboro, and major in Physical Therapy.

Q: How did you decide on Tidioute Charter? How's the drive every day?

A: I have attended Tidioute since kindergarten and I wasn't going to change schools. The drive (from my home in Youngsville) isn't too bad, but I wish it didn't take so long.

Q: Could you see yourself becoming involved in sports/athletics after high school? If so, in what way?

A: Yes, I think it would be fun to come back and be a coach at TCCS, or playing for a college team would be awesome.

Q: Three words to describe yourself, and three words that you want to describe you in 40 years?

A: I would describe myself now as athletic, fun, shy.

In 40 years, I hope to describe myself as rich, and young looking.

Q: What are your goals for the rest of the school year?

A: To get better grades and just prepare for graduation and hopefully college.

Q: Tell me one question you think I should have asked, and then answer it.

A: What I like to do in my spare time?

I mostly like to hang out with my friends, especially my best friend, Cassie York, and I also like to ride horses.