MOST people would agree that when wondering what 10-year-old girls like to do, the answers might be along the lines of writing in diaries, playing with dolls, drawing, and accessorizing, just to name a few. However, for Saint Anthony Catholic School’s Monica Giger, things are a bit different as she’s not one to be found doing any of those things. One would have a better chance at finding her in the ocean doing one of the two things she loves: surfing; or simply hitting the books, putting her mind to work.

Despite still being in elementary, the young Tumon resident has already made great strides in a sport she has grown to love and appreciate. Giger’s most recent accomplishment came from a competition held in Hawaii earlier this month that pitted more than 150 girls under 17 years old. Participating in two separate divisions, Giger finished fifth in the 17-under division and sixth in the 10-under Short Board Division.

However, it wasn’t her placement in the respective division that was the highlight of the event. While the competition is about surfing and fun, student surfers were awarded for their academic accomplishments as well. The aspiring Giger was awarded top honors and named the “Scholar-Athlete of the Competition.”

“We believe that the girl’s overall academic achievements enhances the junior athlete and plays the most important role in life,” said event coordinator and legendary surfer China Uemura in a statement. “Monica Giger is a perfect example of this excellence in academics and sport.”

With her young career only starting to blossom, Giger has achieved and accomplished other goals that go beyond the waters. Serving as the president of her class, the soon-to-be 5th-grader completed the school year with a 4.0 grade point average and acknowledges the importance of education. “My future is to keep studying hard, my coaches have reminded me to go hard in the classroom and everything else will fall in place,” Giger said. “That’s how I was named scholar-athlete, with my brain and my surfing.”

Although surfing has become a big part of her young life, the young St. Anthony Raider also enjoys volleyball, basketball, track and field, and soccer. As if her schedule is not already busy, Giger has also been able to fit dancing into her schedule with the Step-Up Dance Company.

“Dancing has helped me become a better surfer, surfing is like dancing in and on the water.”

Training never stops

Not willing to settle for anything less, Giger is determined to continue excelling and become the best at what she does. The 10-year-old is currently training in preparation for her next competition on-island as well as the Junior Girls Competitions coming up in Asia.

With all the experience continuing to roll in, Giger’s ultimate dream is to represent Guam at the Pacific Games and even the Olympics.

“That’s my dream: I want to represent Guam someday in the Pacific Games and the Olympics.”