MOSCOW, Idaho – Naomi Alvarez and Madelynn Butler have been selected as the Student-Athletes of the Month for November by Vandal Academic Services, supported by P1FCU.

Alvarez is a forward on the Idaho women's soccer team, competing in her redshirt sophomore season and studying advertising. The Portland native has a 3.6 GPA and was nominated for her role as a SAAC executive, demonstrating exceptional balance in her student-athlete life.

"Naomi does a great job at balancing being impactful on and off the field," Academics Coordinator Stacey Hyde said. "She does well in the classroom and still finds a way to be involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She goes above and beyond for SAAC and we are grateful to have her!"

Alvarez dedicates her success in the classroom to the resources provided on campus and through SASS. "The resources that are provided to me through the academic center have been super helpful and beneficial to my success in the classroom," Alvarez said. "I can go into study hall whenever I want and use it as a space to get my work done and collaborate with my peers. I also am so thankful to have Stacy and Dani (Hippe) as outlets to go to when I need help with anything, whether it is school related or not."

With two years remaining, Alvarez is in search of gaining more experience in the advertising industry and she aspires to use her degree in the sports world one day. "My future goals in terms of what I want to do with my major is to first find an internship this summer so I can get some more experience in the marketing/advertising field," Alvarez explained. "Then post-grad, my dream is to work for a professional sports team or a clothing or food/beverage brand that I love."

Butler is a junior on the Vandal swim team, earning a degree in elementary education. Since arriving in Moscow, Butler has been determined to graduate in three years with an average caseload of 18-20 credits per semester.

"Maddy is the most proactive and determined student athlete that I know," Dani Hippe said. "She's a bright young lady with a promising future!"

Having the ability to student-teach outside of class and swim has been a great experience for Butler and provided an opportunity to connect with students. "I enjoy learning about all of the different ways that I can teach these young learners in different ways," Butler stated. "All students learn in different ways, and you need to be aware of the many different ways that you can teach them. Getting to connect with students and learn with them is my favorite part of learning to become an elementary teacher."  

Butler plans to return closer to her hometown of Lake Stevens, Washington, and find a school where she can thrive as a teacher. "My future goal after getting my degree is to find a school back home that I really connect with," Butler said. "I want to find somewhere that I will be able to show what I have learned and use it in the classroom that I am teaching in. I want to have students that want to learn with me and explore themselves throughout their learning." 

P1FCU is proud to partner with the Idaho Vandals and support the financial literacy education of our students through various programs. Learn more at p1fcu.org/govandals.

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