Maddie Antenucci lives life fully and believes that everything happens for a reason. That philosophy has helped her overcome some serious injuries and further explains why she embraces life with passion and determination. Today we shine our spotlight on graduating senior Maddie Antenucci.
Q: What would you say you are most proud of about yourself?
A: I never gave up on my dream, no matter how hard the journey was. I handled a lot of adversity through high school, including a stress fracture in my back at the beginning of my junior year. The injury forced me to sit out the summer AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball season, missing all of the college exposure. But, I was determined to recover and ended up scoring my 1,000th high school career point later that year. Even better, my team and I ended up winning the Cincinnati Hills League (CHL) championship!
Then at the beginning of AAU season in March 2019, my two front teeth were knocked out by an opponents elbow when I took a charge. Thankfully, the doctor at the ER was able to save both teeth with wire and stitches, but I had to go through braces all over again. During that period of time, I was not confident about my appearance at all. I did not go out and I lost a lot of friends because of that. It was a really hard time in my life because it felt as though my dream of becoming a college athlete was taken from me in a single moment and even harder because of some of the people who left my side. I struggled to regain my confidence and rhythm, but I did not give up. I feel so blessed that college coaches finally saw me play and now I get to go to my dream school!
Q: Please tell us about your current plans after high school. What inspired you to choose this path?
A: I will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University to study biology and play for the women’s basketball team there. I chose this school because I was given the opportunity to play for an amazing sports program while being able to study in a prestigious biology program. I hope to continue biology on the pre-med track where I plan to become a dermatologist or a medical laboratory scientist.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
A: I am the youngest of three kids. My dad owns his own local landscaping company, my mom is the office manager for my dad, my brother is married and works as a financial advisor, and my sister is married and lives in West Chester. My siblings and I grew up in here in Cincinnati. Growing up in our Italian family means we always have Sunday dinners together with my grandparents at their Christmas Tree Farm.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you have met in our community. Why?
A: My basketball coach, Chris Arington. He is truly a miracle for his family as well as others. Before my freshman year he went into a sudden cardiac arrest and was given only a 4% chance of living. Miraculously, he survived and was able to fully recover. I played for him my freshman and senior years of high school as well as playing for his AAU program for 4 years. He has given me so many opportunities and introduced me to some amazing people through basketball, including Indian Hill’s current hoops coach, Rachael Smith, who just happens to be his daughter. He has helped me as well as many other female athletes around the state to reach their goals and aspirations while growing us into confident women. I am so blessed to know him.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world (no restrictions) right now, where would it be and why?
A: I would definitely go to a beach just for a nice relaxing time. I have always wanted to go to Australia since my uncle lives there. So I would go to Whitehaven Beach.
Q: If you could go back, what advice would you give to yourself as a freshman?
A: Don’t be so hard on yourself to try to fit in. People are going to come and go and they will somehow impact your life and you will somehow impact theirs. You don’t need to look a certain way or act a certain way just to fit in. Instead be true to yourself and you will find your people.
Q: What is the best advice you received from a teacher? Who was it?
A: Mr. Cobb (Jonathan Cobb, Instructional Aide). He said that there are people that are not going to like you. There are people that are going to hate on you, be jealous of you, or be fake towards you just to get something out of you. You just have to listen to your inner circle even if that is only your family, but they know you best and will be the ones there for you through the highs and the lows.
Q: What is your go to music?
A: I can always listen to Chance the Rapper no matter what mood I am in.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today or passed, with whom would you like to have lunch? What would you want to know?
A: This one is too hard to choose!!! Probably my grandpa who I never got to meet. He was in the Korean War so I would love to hear about his experiences.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
A: I would say how small and tight-knit our community feels even though we are part of a big city. I just feel that no matter where in Cincinnati you are from, there are always connections to people you know. I love the high school rivalries. I love the traditions and opportunities we have here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: I see myself in grad school or in medical school, working on becoming a dermatologist or something in the medical research field. I hope to be happy and hopefully settling down to start a family in 10 years.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I love to fish and I love the outdoors. If I don’t have anything to do I will just go outside to hang out. I always try to find time to fish with my grandpa or my dad.
Q: What is your favorite month, holiday or season of the year? And do you have a favorite single day on the calendar?
A: My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love being able to see family, eat homemade meals, celebrate traditions, connect with Jesus, and the act of gift giving. I love the weather of the fall, which is my favorite season.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: There are a lot of people that I have been inspired by and have helped me along my journey, but I would have to say that I inspire myself the most. I’ve always had that fire inside me and I always feel as though whatever I do is never quite enough. I am always striving to do better and compete with myself just to get better every day.
Q: What is the first thing you want to do when this quarantine is completely over?
A: Play basketball one more time with my high school team. We were eliminated from the state tournament right before the virus peaked. We were never able to have our banquet to celebrate so I feel like I was left on a cliff hanger. Playing with them one more time would allow me to have the closure that I need.
Q: Who or what do you miss the most right now?
A: I really miss going to school. I know that sounds silly but I just wish for one last day at school so I could go through my schedule and walk the high school hallways one last time with all of my friends before we go our separate ways. I want to say goodbye to the amazing teachers and staff.
Maddie was nominated by her dad, Mike Antenucci who proudly says . . .
Maddie has excelled in the classroom and on the hardwood. She carries a GPA over 4.0 taking AP courses, is a member of The National Honors Society, Student Government, Trained Student Leader, and earned a full athletic scholarship to NCAA Division-I, Florida Gulf Coast University. A bonus academic scholarship was also awarded. She will study biology and plans to attend grad school. She has spent time volunteering at Ronald McDonald House, Inner City Youth Ministry, and Matthew 25. Her grit and determination was best displayed in recovering from two devastating injuries (stress fracture in back in 2018, multiple facial fractures 2019) to lead her team to back-to-back league titles and a trip to the District championship, all while maintaining her grades. She ends her career in the top four in school history in points, field goals, free throws, three pointers, blocks, rebounds, & steals.
Congratulations Maddie and the class of 2020!
