When polo player Christopher Perren was 20 years old, he hung up his saddle to raise his daughter, Alyssa. Seventeen years later, she’s a polo champion from West Philly who rides a horse named Will Smith. And now she’s on her way to Harvard University, writes Kristen Graham for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“She brings that Philly mindset, that toughness, that grit, that love,” said Christopher.
Alyssa started playing the sport in middle school and attended public schools in Coatesville while living there for a few years. By the time high school came around, she had a hard time finding one that was right for her.
Her cousin, who attended Paul Robeson High School, recommended Alyssa and the rest is history. Alyssa credits the Philadelphia public school for her success today.
“I didn’t ever feel like I was in this by myself — this is for me, but it’s for him,” said Alyssa. “I want to carry our name even further: This is where I come from, and this is what we’re capable of.”
Alyssa impressed Harvard coaches at a polo match, especially after volunteering to administer medicine to one of the horses. She hopes to study biology at Harvard and aspires to become a veterinarian.
Read more about this former Coatesville student in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
