Dyslexia doesn’t stop Oley Valley field hockey athlete Valerie Palmiotti
Valerie Palmiotti is pictured playing in the 2025 PA Field Hockey Senior Cup playing for Team Reading. Photo: Mark Palczewski
The following essay was written by Oley Valley High School field hockey athlete Valerie Palmiotti.
Palmiotti participated in the 2025 Dr. Judith Benscoter Female Athlete Scholarship competition. The competition included an online and social media vote held in March.
Palmiotti finished in the top five and FAN, LLC judges decided to award her a care package and a special mention for her essay and efforts.
Below is her essay page.
Name: Valerie Palmiotti
State: Pennsylvania
High School: Oley Valley High School
College: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Frustrated again! Another tutoring lesson makes me late to field hockey practice. Twice a week for two seasons I am late to field hockey because I have a specific learning disability in reading, commonly known as dyslexia.
Throughout elementary and middle school, I was always taken out of class to do some extra reading, and it seemed like it was always at a time when something fun or interesting was about to happen. I also had a private tutor right after school twice a week.
Reading was just too confusing. It was a constant irritant, but field hockey is where I take my frustrations out by striking the ball.
Though I was full of rage with my dyslexia, field hockey taught me discipline after a few practices. It gives direction in life and motivates one to strive for a meaningful goal.
Once I learned to set goals, a spark was lit inside of me. Setting goals allowed me to improve my field hockey and reading skills.
In field hockey, I took advantage each time my coach would say, think about a skill you want to improve on and come to me with it at the next practice. I would have a plan to work on specific skills with my coach and on my free time.
In reading, I also set goals to understand the English language and know its rules. Over a three-year period, I finally had an “AHH HA” moment and started to decode letters, form words, and eventually started reading at grade level.
Both my tutor and coach also taught me the value of performing community service. I have volunteered at our local youth league, helping with field hockey drills while supporting a positive team atmosphere. I have also spent my time helping out at their annual Field Hockey Play Days.
In addition, if I am up at the turf practicing on my own and a younger field hockey player approaches me asking for help with a specific drill, I most definitely will say “Yes.”
Even though I had goals, sometimes there were obstacles that made my goals seem impossible. As I started to prepare for my next steps after high school, I realized that due to my slow start in reading and the stigma of having an IEP, I did not have the required Advanced Placement and Honors Classes needed to be accepted by my college choice.
Dyslexia and the IEP always placed me in the general education classes; therefore, I spent my high school summers taking classes to have the required prerequisite classes for those advanced placement and honor classes.
I worked hard, put in many extra hours, and it paid off. This fall I will be starting the Mechanical Engineering Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and I will be on RPI’s field hockey team.
In the fall of my senior year, I was voted captain of my high school field hockey team. I was so excited to receive this position. My teammates trusted my skills and me as a person, which gave me the confidence that I needed to lead my team.
Becoming a captain also boosted my confidence off the field, so I decided to join more clubs my senior year, like Technology Student Association (TSA) and Jazz Band.
Last month I was inducted into the National Honor Society. I am particularly proud of this accomplishment, for it was not an easy road for me. The struggle with dyslexia resulted in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and created barriers in my educational pathway.
However, with the help of others, my hard work, and dedication, I tore those barriers down. By consistently attending my Orton-Gillingham lessons twice a week for three years and with the help of my tutor and the understanding of my coaches, I started believing that I am capable.
Field hockey and being dyslexic have taught me many lessons. Both made me stronger and more confident. I learned the importance of teamwork and how my role impacts the team.
I know how to have dignity even when I make a mistake and how to focus under pressure.
I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to play this sport, and although odd, I am also grateful for the struggles that I have with dyslexia. Dyslexia taught me not to be embarrassed and how to ask for help.
Field hockey showed me that it is important to follow the game plan. Both have shaped me in many ways, and I will forever be grateful.
This post is an unedited piece written by Valerie Palmiotti. She participated in the 2025 Dr. Judith Benscoter Female Athlete Scholarship contest.