She may be known for her spikes on the volleyball court or her speed on the track, but there is more to Aaliyah Silva than just athletics. Long before she was chasing medals, she was building discipline, character, and confidence in places far away from scoreboard pressure. Her story does not begin with sports; it begins at home.
Before she was an athlete, Silva was the oldest of five siblings, a role that shaped her in ways athletics never could. Being the one who steps in when things get chaotic taught her patience, responsibility, and a steady calmness that carries into everything she does.
“I’ve learned a lot of patience, a lot of knowledge on how to take care of people. And I think I just have a natural instinct to want to take care of people, because [of] being an older sibling and having more responsibility and having to be like a role model,” Silva said.
The instinct to look out for others did not come from competition: it grew out of daily life, showing up for her siblings, and becoming someone people can depend on.
“My mom is always saying, like, your brothers really look up to you, and even if you feel like they’re not watching you, they’re watching you,” Silva said.
Those lessons at home were only the beginning. Outside of it, another unlikely teacher shaped her: karate. Silva’s parents enrolled her in classes so she could be strong and capable of defending herself in any given situation. At first, she would complain and sometimes even cry about going, but after six years, karate had become one of the most defining parts of her childhood.
“I think that helped me be stronger now, physically, and that’s why I feel like I have a lot of athleticism and endurance [in] other sports. It taught a lot of morals, and taught you how to be confident, and [there were] just a lot of qualities that I took away,” Silva said.
The foundation of strength and discipline is something that she continues to carry into volleyball, track, and every aspect of her life.
“It kind of helps me adapt to situations, and I like to learn from them. So I try to be really adaptable, like Volleyball, other sports, and like school, all that stuff,” Silva said.
While sports and karate helped shape her physically, Silva puts just as much energy into building who she is outside of competition.
“[Aaliyah] will stay up all night to finish every homework assignment. She doesn’t slack and is determined,” senior Dirk Ulbrich said.
Silva enjoys simple, meaningful routines and creative outlets that help her express herself. She loves making bracelets, writing when she has the time, singing – a dream she has had since childhood – and maintaining a beloved coffee routine. These small passions reveal a side of her that’s thoughtful, expressive, and consistently growing.
“I like building my character: that’s something I’m really passionate about,” Silva said. “I like to make bracelets, I have a passion for coffee, I like to write a lot. I don’t always have time for that either. I like to sing. I always wanted to be a singer since I was little.”
Behind all these passions are the people who continue to guide her the most: her grandparents. Silva speaks about them with a warmth that makes it clear how much they have shaped her. Their kindness, faith, and unconditional love are qualities she tries to live out daily, whether she is navigating a tough practice or learning something new about herself. The impact of her character is obvious to those around her as well.
“In my honest opinion, Aaliyah is such a special person,” senior Patricia Marszalek said. ”No matter how much I write about her, it will never be enough to describe how much of a genuine person she is.”
For Marszalek, Silva’s authenticity is what sets her apart.
“I love how Aaliyah is not afraid to be herself and fit into society,” Marszalek said. “She knows her values, and she lives by them. This makes her such an amazing person because not many people would be able to live by their values as strongly and gracefully as she does.
Aaliyah Silva may shine on the court and on the track, but it is her strength, patience, confidence, and character, shaped by family, karate, creativity, and faith, that truly define her.
“Aaliyah is special because she cares for others,” Ulbrich said. “She’s loyal and loving. She makes me smile, and I just know she cares for me and that’s special of her to have true feelings of love and friendship.”
Ulbrich was quick to point out that Silva’s generous spirit can be felt by others as well.
“This doesn’t just apply to me: she has this [loyalty] with her siblings, parents , grandparents and friends. She’s loving and will help anyone that needs it. She cares [about] the world – that makes her special,” Ulbrich said.
