In a world where the pursuit of personal success often takes center stage, there are individuals who selflessly devote their time and energy to uplift their communities. One such remarkable individual is Veronica Salas, a first-generation student who has recently graduated from NLU with her MAT in Special Education and currently still attending for her BIL & ESL endorsements. She has been making a profound impact through her 501(c)(3) organization, Midwest Forge Fastpitch. Beyond just teaching softball, Veronica has instilled vital life lessons in the girls she coaches, creating a tight-knit family of athletes. 

Veronica’s passion for empowering young girls through softball has led her to coach many of them since they were eight years old. Over the years, these girls have evolved into a close-knit community they affectionately call “Fremilies” - friends who have become family. The bonds they share extend beyond just being teammates; they support, encourage, and uplift each other, forming a truly special connection.

Veronica’s educational journey at NLU has been a transformative experience. The courses she undertook in the past year have prepared her both psychologically and emotionally, teaching her valuable lessons about culture and diversity. Armed with this knowledge, she approaches her role as a coach with a deep understanding of her players’ unique backgrounds and experiences. Veronica’s commitment to treating each athlete with the same care she would for her own child underscores her passion for empowering these girls beyond the softball field.

Veronica’s coaching philosophy goes beyond teaching the sport’s technicalities; it revolves around instilling essential life skills in her players. Responsibility, time-commitment, respect, and treating others as they wish to be treated are some of the vital values she emphasizes. Through her leadership, the teams have cultivated an outstanding work ethic, earning admiration from other teams. Her teaching approach, the “gradual model of release,” ensures that each girl’s individual learning style is addressed, reflecting her belief that not every student, much like athletes, learns the same way.

Veronica’s vision for the future of Midwest Forge Fastpitch is inspiring. Her ultimate goal is for her players to look back and say, “I am here because of Ms. Salas.” Through her work, she wants to convey the powerful message that anything is possible in life if one perseveres. Despite facing discrimination while traveling to certain states or cities, her players maintain an unwavering spirit, choosing not to respond with anger or retaliation. Instead, they showcase resilience and sportsmanship, embodying the lessons they’ve learned both on and off the field.

Veronica Salas’s story is a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of others. As a first-generation student and aspiring teacher, her dedication to uplifting her community through Midwest Forge Fastpitch showcases her true character. By nurturing not only their softball skills but also important life lessons, Veronica has created a supportive family of athletes who will carry the values she instilled with them throughout their lives. Veronica had this to say: “ I am proud of what I do, giving the girls in my neighborhood the ability to better themselves and see that there is more to life than just the 10th Ward, getting them off the streets and out of trouble, and allowing them to grow in a community, in a family, and in a sport that will help them in the future.”

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Linktree: https://linktr.ee/midwestforge