Posted: Fri, 1 Apr 2011 12:05 AM - 14,011 Readers

By: Rick Cantu

Jade, tell me about your family's background.

My dad's side of the family is from Holland, but both of my parents, as well as my sister and I, were born in South Africa.

Did you live there or visit?

My family and I lived there until I was 3 years old and then we moved to California. I have also been back a few times since we moved to visit family and friends who still live there.

What are your best memories of South Africa?

I remember going to my grandparents' beach house in Hibberdene (a coastal town). Some of my clearest and fondest memories of South Africa are from that condo complex. I really loved the tide pools on the beach, and riding my bike on the wooden pathway through the trees right next to the beach.

What's the biggest difference between South Africa and the U.S.?

South Africa is a lot more dangerous than America, so I feel like I am freer to do fun things here because I don't have to be scared of being robbed or mugged in my own neighborhood. One thing I really miss is the specialty foods from South Africa.

What do you remember about the first organized soccer league you played in?

I played for a team in Novato, Calif., when I was 5 years old. Our team name was the Strikers, and my dad was the coach. I made a lot of really good friends from participating in a team sport at such a young age.

If you had the choice of being all-state or valedictorian, which would you choose?

Valedictorian, because only one person can get that honor, and I think it would be hugely rewarding to be recognized for all of the hard work I put into my school work, even with all my extracurricular activities.

Has soccer taught you any lessons you apply in daily life?

Soccer has taught me how to be part of a group, and really bond with the people around me. It has also taught me that if you work together and trust each other, things get done much more effectively than by individual efforts. I love that soccer is a team sport because it gives me a second family that I know I can trust and be comfortable around no matter what.

Tell me something about yourself most people don't know.

Most people don't know that I used to be a competitive gymnast when I lived in California. I competed until I was in 7th grade, but when I moved to Texas, I stopped gymnastics to focus on soccer and volleyball.

What are your college plans?

I plan on attending Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. I will play Division I volleyball, and I plan on majoring in some sort of engineering or mathematics. I am also interested in forensic science.

If you could have dinner with four people in the history of the world, who would they be?

My grandpa who passed away, Taylor Swift, (Spanish soccer player) Fernando Torres and God.