Yuleska Ramirez Tejeda – known to her three seasons of teammates as "Yolo" – has fulfilled a promise she made to herself upon entering CRLS as a Freshman: that she would earn a college scholarship. And that she has. Yuleska signed her Letter of Intent to play Women's Basketball at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). Yuleska was recruited by several schools across all three NCAA Divisions but made the decision to sign the letter offered from the Mastodons and will receive a full athletic scholarship.
Yuleska, a tireless working student athlete, is a three sport standout at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, earning Dual County League All Star Status the past two season in three sports: volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was named League MVP and All Scholastic for the
Boston Globe and
Boston Herald this past volleyball season, as well as softball League MVP in her junior season.
Her athletic achievements have been numerous and are parallel to her achievement in the classroom as she is an A- student, consistently striving for success. A great student athlete but even a better person, her coaches cannot say enough good things about her. Dana Ellcock, CRLS Girls Basketball Coach, holds her in high regard, "She has always worked so hard to improve everyday, and even more impressive is how great of a person she is with her teammates, coaches peers and teachers. She is the type of person/player that every coach would want in their program."
Moving to Cambridge from the Domincan in 2009, Yuleska came to Cambridge immersing herself into the community, learning to speak English, teaching herself about team sports, and constantly working to improve and get better to reach her goal of earning a scholarship to college. Cambridge's Director of Athletics is not shocked by her accomplishment:
"In 13 years of working as an Athletic Director, as well as spending years playing and coaching at the high school and collegiate level, Yuleska is one of the toughest student athletes and fiercest competitors I have had the pleasure to watch. She works very hard, and it was evident from the first day I walked on campus that Yuleska will reach any goal she sets her mind to. I am so happy for her and her family on this day, and I will take the liberty to speak for our department, school, community, and City when I say we are so, so proud of her for this accomplishment!"
Yuleska is the 2nd student from CRLS to receive a scholarship from IPFW, following 2009 grad Elon Fyfield, a standout volleyball player. Yuleska is also the 2nd CRLS student this Spring to sign with a Division 1 institution and receive a full scholarship, as Track and Field star Brianna Duncan signed her letter to attend UNC this past month.