Self-motivated. Prepared. Priorities in order.

Sound like a teenager?Not typically.Tamaqua’s Monika Shimko has proven to be anything but typical, however, as she approaches the climax of an excellent scholastic running career, and looks ahead to many new and exciting endeavors awaiting her on the next level.On Wednesday evening, Shimko committed to West Point Military Academy and signed a letter of intent to continue her education and athletic experience at the prestigious institution of higher learning.“It’s going to be such an experience, meeting so many new people, and I’ll get to run and compete on the Division I college level,” she said. “I’m so excited.”With its rich history and tradition of churning out outstanding, young individuals, West Point demands the pedigree of a learner, which Shimko is a cookie cutter fit.“She deserves this,” Monika’s mother Kim said. “This is a perfect fit for her because she’s regimented. She does all of these great things on her own and it’s pretty awesome to think about.”According to her father Joe, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime in attending the Academy.“I’m very proud of her and what she’s accomplished over the years,” he said. “She’s so determined. I wish I had that back when I was her age. But to think about what she can do at West Point, it’s insane. Traveling the world, jumping from a plane, studying whatever major she wants, there are just so many doors that can open for her and I’m so happy for her.”In terms of self-motivation, her head track coach, Tom Kanger, saw plenty of it throughout the past three-and--a-half seasons.“Her confidence has changed so much over the four years,” Kanger said. “With her, it isn’t a matter of ‘can I do it?’ It’s more like ‘when will I do it?’ or ‘is there something I need to change in order to do it?”The priorities fall in line for the student-athlete, as well.“If she wants something, she goes after it,” her father Joe said. “Like going to West Point, we started this whole process about a year ago. But the whole while, it has been physical fitness, academics, and her sports. She has those priorities in line and ready to accomplish.”While most teenagers, especially seniors, tend to suffer from procrastination and disarray, Shimko has been ready.“She is always bringing home two bags of books because she wants to be prepared,” said her mother Kim. “With her sports, every meet, she has at least three sets of spikes. Last year, in the 200, her foot blew out of the slide, so she was ready. She had extra sets and was prepared.”That mindset, which should bode well for her future, has assisted her to excellence in most areas of her life. Now, she’s ready for the next step.“I’ll complete something, and automatically see something that I could’ve done better,” she said. “I just always want to redeem myself and do better the next season or the next year.”With her future so potentially bright, Shimko and her family and friends find it difficult not to peer into the future.But when asked to look back, Shimko had plenty of thanks for those who helped her reach her goals at Tamaqua.“My coaches have been with me for what seems like forever,” said Shimko. “Coach Sam (Schaefer) was with me since before high school and has been teaching me for so long. In ninth grade, I met coach Kanger in track, and I just want to thank him for being there and helping me through the years with everything.”