From sunshine to subzero: Shallito learns to like Valley
By Lyndi Araujo
IV Leader Sports writer, May 3, 2007
Gemma Shallito knew before her high school days were over
that her goals were to get a good education and continue to her softball career.
A native of California, she also felt like it was time for
some change. With family in Tennessee and Illinois, it gave her some options to
leave her home state without feeling like she completely left home.
After considering UCLA( her mother’s alma mater), Florida
State, and some junior colleges in Tennessee, she landed here at Illinois Valley
Community College.
Now with her freshmen year coming to a close, Shallito will
head back home for the summer, but she can’t help but feel like she has a home
here as well. Now the starting shortstop for the Lady Eagles softball team,
Shallito’s prep career included playing for her high school team the South Hills
Huskies and summer ball with her California Thunder Gold.
She says her choice to come to Illinois Valley and play
softball had much to do with a visit she made here during her senior year. After
watching last year’s team play and talking with Coach Cory Tomasson, she felt
like it was a good fit.
“I really liked Cory’s balance between being serious and
having fun,” she said. Her thoughts on the Illinois Valley itself were similar.
Although she loves her friends and family back home, she feels equally about the
people here. “The people here are so genuinely nice.”
This has helped her feel at home the majority of the time.
Having family in the Chicago suburbs has been a comfort as well. Growing up in
Covina, which is about 15 miles from Los Angeles, provided many things for Gemma
to do in her down time, one aspect of this area which she doesn’t like so much.
“I really miss the lack of city life. I was so close to Los Angeles.”
The other thing hardest about leaving home was her family.
She says that she and her mom have a very close relationship; however, that
didn’t stop mom from letting her daughter fly. Shallito said her mom “definitely
thought she needed to experience life on her own.”
Although she has aspirations to continue playing softball
after IVCC, Shallito has bigger goals for herself.
Her career plans include studying nursing and possibly a
stint in the Peace Corps to combine her love of travel and helping others.
Shallito’s California way of life may seem worlds apart from
her Illinois Valley ways, but either way to her, it’s home.