The roar of the crowd. The smell of grass and dirt. The adrenaline from stepping up to bat.

    Junior Haley Moore is no stranger to this scene. For six years, Moore has been playing in both club and school softball leagues. From batting to catching to pitching, Moore is very skilled at softball. But softball isn’t the only activity she’s good at.

     “I have a huge passion for art, probably even more so than softball,” Moore said. “I’ve been doing art ever since I could pick up a pencil.”

How did you get involved with softball?

    “I started softball a long time ago, and I’m pretty sure my mom signed me up just for the heck of it,” Moore said. “But I immediately loved the sport, thanks to my supportive teammates and coaches who taught me the fundamentals of the game.”

What is the time commitment to softball like?

    “Well, we’re doing try-outs right now,” Moore said. “If I get on the team, which I have been for the past two years, it’s probably going to be around two hours Monday through probably Saturday.”

How is your relationship with your team?

    “I’m friends with all of my teammates. Everyone is super friendly, including the coaches. But my closest friends are Macy [Minniear] and Michelle [Vasbinder], who I’ve been playing with for years.”

How has softball impacted your life?

    “Well, it takes a lot away from time you have for other things, like homework or any other hobbies,” Moore said. “But I enjoy it. So it’s a really win-win for me because even though t does take so much time away from that, I still enjoy playing the sport.”

Do you have a specific style in your art?

    “Actually, I don’t have an art style at this moment. Rather, I’m experimenting with different ideas and techniques to help develop my own style. I think it’s important to analyze other artists and their artwork in order to better improve yourself.”

Do you have a common “theme” to your art?

    “I love creating whatever comes to mind, but if I had to choose, I’ve always enjoyed focusing on people as my theme,” Moore said. “Whether it’s quick sketches or abstract paintings, I’ve always found that illustrating people can carry valuable messages or can allow an audience to see things through a different perspective.”

What does art mean to you?

    “Art, to me, will always be a valuable part of my life. I believe everyone has a passion for something, and art happens to be something I can’t live without. Art takes whatever ideas I have in my head and makes them a reality. And the best part is that art comes in so many different forms and there are endless possibilities as to what you can create.”

Do you think you’ll be involved with softball in the future?

    “I plan to play softball my senior year, but unfortunately, after that, I probably won’t be involved with softball because I’ll be focusing on college,” Moore said. “That’s why I always enjoy and appreciate the time I have playing softball with my teammates and coaches.”

How do you plan to pursue art in your future?

    “I’m actually going to college to major in the visual arts. I don’t know specifically what I’m going to do as a career, but I’m eager to learn new things and opportunities in store for me in the future.”

Any advice for student artists and/or athletes?

    “Above all things, do what you love doing,” Moore said. “Follow your passions and interests and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Because you can.”