VYPE San Marcos CISD October 2022

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a Ph o t o b y Ka l e i E n g l ema n / Tex a s S t a t e A t h l e t i c s F O RM E R S A N MA R C O S S T A R T A L K S C H A L L E N G E S O F D Y S L E X I A BREAAKING BARRIERS

“I have just fallen in love with the game of volleyball ,” Walsh said. “You are all connected in the spor t and chemistry is so impor tant – you have to pass to the setter and the setter has to assist the hitter. It ’s a connection that carries on and off the cour t too.” What was it about Texas State that made the land of Bobcats her new home? “It ’s a winning atmosphere and everyone on the team wants to win,” Walsh said. “We have hard days, but you lean on your teammates when you need them. It ’s so fun and it ’s also close to home.” As she looks back on her challenges with Dyslexia, what advice would she give to anyone battling the learning disorder ? “Own up to it and don’ t be ashamed of it ,” Walsh said. “Use your accommodations and advantages because it is a struggle.”

a club, high school and college volleyball recruit , “Bethany” was always there. “Whenever I said something stupid, I’d say ‘Oh, that was Bethany talking’,” she laughed. “I had a name for my Dyslexia. “I know it sounds crazy, but Dyslexia helped me in spor ts. It gave me a work ethic in the classroom. I always had to put in ex tra time studying, so when it came to spor ts, I wasn’ t afraid to put in the ex tra work . A lot of people didn’ t have to study in high school , I did. The work ethic has helped me transition into college as well , taking five courses while also balancing volleyball travel , games and practices.” Her hard work on the cour t earned her the District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman; first-team, all-district as a sophomore; the District Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and District MVP as a senior.

most people.” Dyslexia didn’ t define the San Marcos-grad, athletics did. She was a softball and volleyball star, coming from one of the first families of DFW spor ts as a prep. Her sister (Sami) and brother (JW) starred at Denton Guyer and her father (John) was the head football coach, before the family moved to San Marcos High School. “I grew up at the athletic facility,” Walsh said. “After school , I’d play with all the other coaches’ kids. In middle school , people realized I was the coach’s daughter. Some days I loved it , some days I hated it , but overall , I loved having a coach as a dad. I wouldn’ t be the player I am today if not . “Sometimes I wanted to come home and complain but he would always have the coaches’ side,” she laughed. As she developed into

MAGGIE WALSH WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DYSLEXIA IN THE FIRST GRADE. It ’s been a long journey, but the 5-foot-10, Texas State outside hitter overcame her challenges, which has made her a more holistic young woman. “My main challenge with Dyslexia was owning up to it ,” Walsh said. “I would have to be taken out of class and everyone would be staring at you. It was embarrassing. “I had a snapping point in middle school. I had to stop being ashamed of it . To get good grades, I had to use my accommodations.” Walsh credits Denton ISD teacher Mary Decker, who was instrumental in her Dyslexia timeline. “She was amazing and really calmed my parents down,” Walsh said. “ They didn’ t take it well in the beginning, but getting the help was so impor tant . She just taught me that I had to learn a different way than

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