Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Abbigail Robertson

“This demonstrates her exceptional academic abilities and her eagerness to challenge herself in pursuit of knowledge,” said Williamsport Area High School School Counselor Jessica Becker, who nominated Robertson for the award. “Abbigail's positive attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to personal growth make her an exemplary candidate for the Teen of the Week award.”

After graduation, Robertson plans to attend Commonwealth University's Lock Haven campus.

“I figured out I absolutely love the sports management program at Lock Haven,” Robertson said. Ultimately, Robertson realized she wanted to help girls find their passion in sports and guide them, while utilizing her own experiences.

She is particularly enjoying a psychology coaching class, which she is taking this semester. The professor has extensive experience in the field, which Robertson said will help guide her in her future career.

“I’ve always been a sports fan my entire life, my family’s always been really ingrained into sports,” she said.

For more than 12 years, Robertson has been a softball player. For much of the time, she has been coached by her idol, her father, Richard Robertson.

“My dad coached me a lot when I was younger... He's definitely someone I really look up to because he knew what he was doing when he was coaching us,” Robertson said.

Her father has taught her to never leave anyone out or favor a player over the others.

“He treated every player like his own kid, and that’s kind of what I want to do when I’m at that stage so I can coach," Robertson said, of her father. "I want to treat everybody the same and show them that I care.”

When she was around 11 years old, Robertson and her softball all-star team traveled to Fairchance for the state championships. The team won the state championship in 2016 with Robertson on the mound.

“(My father) had pure faith in me, and I could see it – even at a young age, I could still see it,” she recalled.

Robertson has also played tennis, been involved in the school newspaper, played trumpet since fourth grade, and played on their school’s co-ed Unified Bocce team.

As the first person to join the bocce team, Robertson helped recruit the other members to join the fun.

“She has a genuine care and compassion for all students, as evidenced by her involvement in our Unified Bocce Team,” said Becker.

The team was comprised of four athletes from Williamsport Area High School and four Special Olympic players.

“That was a really cool experience, to play with all the kids and see them have a good time and play with each other,” Robertson said. “It was awesome working with everybody. They all kind of clicked together. It was really great.”

In addition to her college courses and commitment to athletics, Robertson ranks in the top eighth percentile in her class.

Robertson advises those with passions to “strive your hardest to get to where you want.”