Emma Currier was defensive anchor for four years on the Quaker Valley girls soccer team.
The senior defender served as a team captain last fall along with Ari Bosh, a senior midfielder, and Annabel Miko, a junior midfielder/striker.
Currier also has been an integral member of the QV girls track and field program as a four-year letter winner. The Quakers have won four consecutive WPIAL championships and one PIAA title in recent seasons.
It was announced April 15 that the 5-foot-7 Currier landed a prestigious WPIAL accolade — the James Collins Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognizes student-athletes for their work in the athletic arena and the classroom.
“Emma is very deserving of this award,” said Maggie Behun, who shares the QV girls soccer coaching duties with Rachel Loudermilk. “She is an absolute standout no matter what she does and is repeatedly recognized as such.
“Emma leads by example and is an exemplary teammate, dedicated in the classroom and thoughtful in her volunteer opportunities.”
Loudermilk has been impressed by Currier’s ability to keep a high level of commitment to sports, her education, school clubs and her work at the local art center.
“Emma is dedicated, disciplined and pours all of herself into everything she does,” Loudermilk said. “As a two-year captain, she has been a leader and a motivator for her teammates. Emma has involved herself with volunteer work over the years and encouraged her teammates to do the same, even bringing a MiniThon fundraiser to the school.
“She challenges herself through AP classes and gives back to the school and her peers as a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, student council and yearbook committee. It exhausts me just thinking of all that she is able to juggle while being a standout with it all. The WPIAL could not have picked a more deserving scholar-athlete by choosing Emma Currier.”
Currier, who is 18, also is a team captain in the QV track and field program.
“I’m really grateful to be recognized with this award,” Currier said. “It was such an honor to be nominated in the first place and to win is so rewarding after working hard both in sports and school for the past few years.”
QV track coach Jared Jones said Currier is the definition of a true student-athlete.
“I am incredibly proud of Emma,” Jones said. “She absolutely deserves this recognition. She works extremely hard both in the classroom and on the track. Emma has consistently done whatever the team has needed, and that kind of selflessness has played a big role in our success.
“Emma has had an outstanding career as a Quaker Valley track and field athlete. She has been a major contributor to all three of our WPIAL team championships during her time in the program. Her versatility really sets her apart. She has excelled in multiple jumping events, sprints and even mid-distance races. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.”
Currier specializes mainly in the long jump and triple jump events and owns a 4.71 GPA in the classroom. She plans to study business administration and sports management at Florida.
“I picked UF because they have the best programs for what I want to do out of my options,” she said. “The warm weather is also a nice bonus.”
As noted, Currier has participated in various clubs in high school.
“I co-founded the Quaker Valley branch of a fundraising initiative called MiniThon,” she said, “which helps raise money for the fight against pediatric cancer in association with the Four Diamonds and Penn State’s Thon.”
Katherine Linge, Gemma Wiegand, Olivia Hoose and Sam Musmano started the initiative with Currier.
While specializing in the jumping events, Currier also has competed in the 100 and 400 meters and 1,600 relay. She ranks fourth all-time at QV in the girls long jump event thanks to a leap of 35 feet, 6 inches.
Currier and her track teammates are in the midst of their spring season. The Quakers are looking to capture their fifth consecutive WPIAL championship in 2026.
“The girls track team is looking strong as always,” Currier said. “We’re just starting invitational season, and we look forward to facing more competition in the coming weeks.”
Each recipient of the James Collins award receives $1,000. Currier will use that check, along with the $6,000 she will receive annually after earning a merit award from Florida, to help out with her college expenses.
“I expect Emma to play a key leadership role and help guide our team to another successful season,” Jones said. “I believe she has the potential to qualify for and compete at the PIAA championship meet. More importantly, I expect her to continue setting the standard for our program through her effort, attitude and leadership.”
Currier has been a three-sport athlete in each of her four years at QV. Along with soccer and outdoor track, she competed in indoor track during the winter months.
“I am not planning on playing soccer or track officially in college,” she said, “but I might play on an intramural team for fun. I am definitely still looking to be connected to the athletic world through sports management.”
A total of 20 award winners were chosen by the WPIAL from a list of 126 applicants. The Scholar-Athlete Award was renamed in honor of longtime WPIAL administrator Jim Collins after his death in 2016.
Along with Currier, girls lauded by the WPIAL consist of North Allegheny’s Claire Bacu, Canon-McMillan’s Natalie Carr, Oakland Catholic’s Josie Fontana, South Fayette’s Juliette Leroux, Southmoreland’s Megan Mehall, Elizabeth Forward’s Mya Morgan, Plum’s Brooke Price, California’s Morgan Ross and Chartiers-Houston’s Lauren Rush.
“One of Emma’s greatest strengths is her work ethic,” Jones said. “She is driven, disciplined and always looking to improve. I have known Emma for five years, dating back to when she was my student in eighth grade. She has always been extremely bright, humble and willing to help others.
“That same attitude carries over to the track. She leads by example, supports her teammates and brings a positive, team-first mindset every day. She truly embodies everything a coach could want in a student-athlete. I’m extremely proud of everything Emma has accomplished. Her dedication and commitment to the track and field program have made a lasting impact. I cannot thank her enough for all she has given to the team, and I look forward to seeing her finish her senior year strong.”
Turning to soccer, the Quaker Valley girls team posted a 16-4-1 record last fall as a defending district champion, advancing to the WPIAL Class 2A semifinals and PIAA first round.
The Quakers eked out a 1-0 victory in overtime against Mt. Pleasant in the WPIAL consolation round that determined third place and a state playoff berth.
The winning goal was achieved through the effort of two defensive specialists. Currier scored off a header from a corner kick by sophomore Mia Duckstein in the 10th minute of overtime.
“One of my fondest memories in my high school career was definitely winning the WPIAL soccer title last year,” Currier said. “I also have so many good memories with friends here that I’ll miss a ton next year.”
Currier wore uniform No. 13 while on the pitch throughout her accomplished four-year career on defense.
“It is a lucky number,” she said. “I was born on January 13th, so it kind of stuck.”
Currier gained all-section and All-WPIAL status as a QV soccer player.
“Physically, Emma’s speed sets her apart from other players,” Behun said. “Her ability to keep our defensive line composed and organized was masterful. Emma has graced us as a team captain for two years.
“To cap off her last senior home game, Emma scored the game-winning goal off a gorgeous corner kick which placed us in the first round of states. This is a moment we will all cherish for years to come. Emma went out with a bang and we’re so incredibly proud of her and all of her achievements.”
The James Collins award recipients on the boys side include Avonworth’s Carson Bellinger, South Side’s Andrew Corfield, Mohawk’s Bobby Fadden, North Catholic’s Joseph Felitsky, Bentworth’s Ben Hays, Peters Township’s Alex Klein, Charleroi’s Dylan Klinger, Hempfield’s Jonathan Stetchock, Chartiers-Houston’s Aaron Walsh and West Greene’s Colin Whyte.