Next fall, Dami Adeniyi will take the field as a Division I athlete at Southern Illinois University, where she will continue her soccer career while studying biochemistry. Her decision to attend SIU came from multiple factors, including location and level of competition. 

“I was looking at schools that were in-state and within driving distance,” she said. “But playing Division I was really important to me, especially with the opportunity for athletic scholarships.” 

After visiting the campus and meeting with the team, she felt confident in her choice. 

“They already had a vision for where I would fit on the team when I was still a junior at ETHS,” said Adeniyi. “I really like their forward-thinking mindset, and the sense of sisterhood on the team.”

Adeniyi has been playing soccer since early elementary school, and her experience helped shape her goals early on. 

“Around seventh or eighth grade, I knew I wanted to play in college,” Adeniyi explained. 

Looking ahead, she is most excited for the challenges and growth that come with being a Division I student athlete. 

“Time management will be a challenge, but I think I can handle it,” she added. 

Looking back on her experience, she says that the relationships she’s built through soccer stand out the most. 

“The biggest highlight is the sisterhood,” she said, “You build strong bonds with your teammates, and they support you through everything. 

As she prepares to leave Evanston, she knows there are parts of her high school experience she’ll miss. 

“I’ll miss the community and the resources,” she said. “There’s so much support here, and it’s something most people don’t always realize.”