December 18, 2011|By Steve Jones
A member of the CheckHers Elite Lacrosse Club that won the under-15 national title several years ago, Macera will begin her third full season on the Owls' varsity lacrosse team in March. Her Westminster team earned the county championship and was undefeated before losing to Severna Park in last year's Class 4A state title game.
"We didn't play the best that we could (in the championship game)," said Macera, whose younger sister Madi also plays field hockey and lacrosse. "We won't have nearly as many seniors as we did last year, but I'm excited to play again and looking forward to another successful season."
Action figure
Macera plays indoor lacrosse and soccer during the winter and swims for the Westminster Riding Club during the summer months, but Macera is also heavily involved in her school and community.
She has logged more than 200 hours of community service, volunteering in a wide range of activities. Macera worked as a summer camp counselor with the Boys and Girls Club of Maryland branch in Westminster.
A member of the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society, Macera is also the president of Westminster's Girls Athletic Board. Through her involvement in these groups, Macera has volunteered at elementary school summer camps and been a team member for the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life walk.
"I know people who have been affected by cancer," she said. "My best friend's dad had cancer, which fortunately wasn't life-threatening. When you see stuff like that happening to other people, it makes you want to help. And that event (Relay for Life) is very emotional."
Her affiliation with CheckHers has given Macera additional opportunities to impact the lives of others. Through that organization, she has served meals at a soup kitchen, put together care packages for U.S. troops and adopted a family for Christmas.
"I know a lot of people who aren't really involved in anything, and that seems unappealing," said Macera, the daughter of Greg and Michele Macera. "I find the extra time to give back, because that's an important thing to me."
Drawn to leadership
Her artistic talents have enhanced several Westminster publications. Macera, an editor of the school yearbook, helped design the cover of The Owl. She also designed the front cover of the agenda books that are carried by each Westminster student, and her work has been displayed in the school's Art Show.
"I've always liked to draw and be creative," Macera said. "Art has been my favorite subject since elementary school (at Friendship Valley). I think art can serve as a stress reliever and an outlet for expression."
Her love of art matches her passion for sports, and Macera will be able to pursue both of her prime interests next year at Virginia Tech. While playing lacrosse for the Hokies, she will study graphic design in the college's School of Art and Design.
"When I went there to visit, it just felt right," Macera said. "The campus is beautiful, and the whole student body seems very connected.
"A few of the girls on the (Virginia Tech) lacrosse team have been in the art program and said that they loved it. It's a time-consuming major, with a lot of projects to complete," she said, "but the coaches were really understanding about the longer hours."
Macera could have chosen to play field hockey in college, but there was never a doubt about what sport she would play at her next destination.
"I weighed my options for field hockey, but lacrosse was always my favorite sport," she said. "I just couldn't think about not playing lacrosse, and I wanted to go to a big Division I school."
While taking a steady regimen of advanced placement and honors courses, Macera has compiled a 3.79 unweighted grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
Rivera believes that strong organizational skills and a fierce determination have fueled Macera's academic and athletic success.
"When you're a high school athlete playing two sports, you've got to manage your time well," she said. "Meghan just doesn't give up, and she will do anything to not fail."
Macera credits the people around her for having the greatest impact on her success.
"I've always been a self-motivated person," she said. "A lot of that approach has come from my parents, who always set an example and pushed me to be my best.
"I'm an outgoing person who likes to be with other people, and I've volunteered with my friends at places like the Boys and Girls Club. And my coaches are people I've been able to look up to.
"I've been lucky to have a great family, coaches and teachers who have been there and have helped push me through everything."
About this award
Since the fall of 2007, The Eagle has presented this award to a Carroll County student-athlete at the conclusion of the fall, winter and spring sports seasons. The publication also presents an overall Student-Athlete of the Year award at the end of the school year. All student-athletes who compete at the varsity level for a Carroll County public school are eligible for the award, which is based on academic achievement, athletic achievement, and a record of service and good citizenship in the school and community.
