Amanda Hess started her career on the Cyclone women's tennis team in fall 2020 as a freshman. She played well this season, particularly her peak performance at the NJCAA Region IV Tournament. Although she loves tennis, she has played several other sports and is quite the theater buff. Here's her story.

I have participated in soccer, tennis, basketball, softball, volleyball, golf, tumbling and dance. When I was younger, my parents would sign me up for different sports to see what I truly enjoyed. The only sports I continued were softball, volleyball and, eventually, tennis. I played softball for about 10 years and stopped after my sophomore year in high school. I started playing volleyball when I was eight and really enjoyed it but ended up quitting after my freshman year in high school. I will always love softball and volleyball. They were a huge part of my life. When I was 11, my mom signed me up for a summer tennis camp. After camp was over, there was no way for me to continue the sport. I really enjoyed it, but I didn't have a chance to play again until I found out my school had a tennis team. I have been playing ever since.

Since there were no clubs or teams after I was 11, I couldn't continue playing tennis until I was in high school. After I started playing again, I fell in love with the sport. I am so happy and grateful I can play at the collegiate level. I started taking private lessons in Lockport about two years ago.

I was in my first play in seventh grade. The play was "Hoodie," and I was one of the people in "the clump." I really enjoyed it. I remember being so anxious before going on stage. I auditioned for my eighth grade play but didn't get it. I didn't start theater again until my sophomore year of high school. I auditioned for the spring play and musical and got in both! I also was in my junior year spring play and musical. I found theater groups outside of school and started auditioning that way.

"Hoodie" was at my middle school in Bolingbrook. Later, I auditioned for "The Music Man" and "Footloose" in Joliet. I also was cast in "A Christmas Story" in Orland Park in December 2019 with three roles. I had a lot of fun because my dad and sister were in it as well. I also knew a couple cast members. My dad also was in "Footloose" with me. In high school, I was in "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Little Mermaid," "8x4= China" and "A Crown Does Not a Princess Make."

What I love most about theater is I get to tell a story and explore a new character. When I tell a story, I get to be part of something that others love and where some people escape. I can be that person who inspires someone else to go into theater as others did for me. It helps me deal with whatever challenges I am going through in life, and it has helped me control my anxiety. When I play my character, I am someone else; I get to tell their story. I get to share their story and experience with the audience. Theater also helps me escape like it does for so many others. Doing theater helped me meet some amazing people who have similar interests and people I can look up to and admire. Being in theater has helped me grow as a person and continues to give me motivation to succeed in life.