Coupeville Sports

   Ema Smith shows off her juggling skills at the recent Coupeville Booster Club Crab Feed. (John Fisken photo)

   Ema and softball buddy Sarah Wright, most likely up to shenanigans. (Smith photo)

Ema being Ema. (Fisken photo)

Ema Smith doesn’t come to the party. Ema Smith IS the party.

The eternally bubbly Coupeville High School sophomore, who celebrates a birthday today, is one of the most entertaining student/athletes in Wolf Nation.

One of the most genuinely good-natured, friendly, warm people you are likely to meet, Smith is a delight.

She’s also a pretty darn good athlete, regardless of the sport.

From soccer to basketball to softball, when she’s been healthy, Ema is front and center.

A scrapper who’s willing to pound on a rival in pursuit of the ball, before coming back to giggle on the bench with her teammates, she’s packed with energy and ready to rumble.

In the relatively short time she and her family have graced Coupeville, she (and they) have settled in nicely, and it’s hard to remember a time when Ema wasn’t lighting up the prairie.

On the court or field, she busts her tail, even when she has had to work through wearing a knee brace while recovering from injury.

Away from the arena, she is witty and warm, highly intelligent and gracious to those around her.

And topping it all off is Smith’s willingness, nay, her burning desire, to be a true queen of having her photo taken.

For a blog that sees its numbers spike thanks to photos, especially those behind-the-scenes shots which allow the Wolves to show off their personalities, Ema is invaluable.

As she celebrates her cake day today, I just want to say thank you.

Thank you, Ema, for being kind and caring, for loving the spotlight but loving your teammates and friends more, for playing with passion and heart, for staying true to the way your parents, Charlie and Tammy, have raised you and your sister, Ciara.

You are a truly special young woman and our town and our school hit the jackpot when you and your family moved here.

I hope your 16th birthday is a special one, but more importantly, I hope you realize how appreciated you are by all those around you.

Stay amazing, Ema.