Olympic Medalist Offers Words of Encouragement to Ridge Park Students

Maria Veerakone watched her daughter Rubina play soccer and become friends with Alena Olsen as children, making her an extension of her family. As the two went through school, their shared experiences grew to impressive heights that took them to college and beyond.

Both are the children of immigrant parents, with Maria from Pakistan and Alena’s mother from the Philippines. Both attended the University of Michigan and played sports, with Rubina playing soccer and Alena taking up rugby. Needless to say, it was incredibly surreal for Veerakone as Alena earned a spot on the first U.S. women’s rugby team to medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

Olsen also was the first rugby player from U-M to win an Olympic medal, as the United States used a last-second score to defeat Australia 14-12 in the bronze-medal game on July 30.


“From an immigrant myself, it’s a success story,” she said. “This country has done well for us as a family, but it took hard work and it pays off. This country has a lot to offer and Alena is a good example of that. She has the talent and is willing to work.”

Maria, an EL paraprofessional at Ridge Park Charter Academy, wanted to welcome Olsen back home while she was in town and mentioned to Principal Hector Ulloa about having her daughter’s childhood friend come to school fresh off winning bronze. Olsen was featured in a school assembly and spoke to students about how to be a team, even as it relates to school in helping each other and build each other up.

“The kids were quite pleased seeing her and her medal,” Maria said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.”


Olsen was a Collegiate All-American in 2015 and 2016, and earned a nomination to the Collegiate Rugby Championship Dream Team in 2016.

The U.S. went 4-2 at the Summer Olympics. Olsen started the bronze-medal match and three of six games as a back. She went 2 for 2 on conversion attempts to finish with four points. She also helped the U.S. hold opponents to 14.3 points per game and an average of 2.3 tries per game.

Congratulations, Alena, and thank you for coming to Ridge Park!
About Ridge Park Charter Academy
Ridge Park Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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