UIS ATHLETICS
Rachel Neudahl is one of many former UIS athletes that have gone on to have success outside of the realm of sports. Starring on the soccer field from 2010-2013, she also starred in the classroom, pursuing an English degree. But, by wisely managing her time, she was able to make the honor roll multiple times while still performing at the highest level on the field, being named team MVP her senior year.

Since the soccer program was still in its infancy when she arrived, Rachel and the team endured many growing pains, which she noted. "The team was still developing and I had never lost so many games before in my life. It was a humbling experience, but it was also great to be part of the program changing and improving."

During her career, Neudahl played in 60 games while racking up 4725 minutes played. Those numbers placed her eighth and fourth, respectively, all-time in the UIS women's soccer record book. "Losing was no fun, but at least by the time I was a senior we were competing and that was something to be proud of."

Academically, she loved her time in the English department and credits many of her professors for playing a vital role in her desire to become a teacher. Neudahl realized that education is an extremely important tool and it's very advantageous to pursue a higher education if you have the ability to do so.

"I loved my time at UIS. Many professors played a major role in growing my desire to teach and several of them continue to support and guide me even after I graduated and left the country."

TEACHING IN HONDURAS
Now residing in Siguatepeque, Honduras, Neudahl teaches 9th-11th grade English at a private Christian bilingual school, Comunidad Educativa Evangelica (CEE). This school offers a completely bilingual education, with a Spanish-English immersion program that has a 50-50 split of Spanish and English classes.

"Most other bilingual schools in Honduras have a split closer to 70-30 English to Spanish, but CEE maintains the 50-50 split to emphasize the importance of their native language."

Rachel realizes her job is more than just teaching English, and encompasses the idea to, "transform the hearts, minds, and paths of students by using the Word of God." In her time in Honduras, she realizes her role has changed. It's not to create 'English-speaking robots', but rather motivate the students to get the information and use it for themselves.

Rachel certainly had her challenges this year, teaching materials that ranged from Shakespeare to Frankenstein, but found her most difficult task to be that of Arthur Miller's, Death of a Salesman.

"This past year has been one of the most exhausting, yet motivating years of teaching I have had, but I really hope that next year, and every year after that is filled with similar challenges and successes."
 
-- School that Rachel teaches at (CEE)

VOLUNTEERING
In addition to her work as a teacher, Rachel volunteers at a local church, Betel, and has slowly gotten more and more involved over her two years. Using the Spanish she learned four years prior on the UIS campus, Rachel helped with Sunday school, then began helping with a project that helped teach children their beliefs and showed them they were not alone.

No matter how far removed she is from Springfield, the ties to UIS are still strong. She follows UIS athletics on Facebook to keep up with new athletes, statistics, and game results.

In addition, she had one last thing to say to everyone back in the Springfield area… Go Prairie Stars!
 
-- Students at CEE getting ready for the cultural fair in September, 2015