Messenger file photo: Fort Dodge's LJ Maehl blocks a shot as her older sister, Lainey, defends during a postseason basketball game against Humboldt last year.

As an athlete, LJ Maehl has big dreams and goals for the future.

All of that pales in comparison, though, to the type of student, leader and active community member she aspires to be.

The Fort Dodge sophomore was recently named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Maehl is one of just 11 female high schoolers picked from across the entire state.

“I’m so honored to have been selected to represent the ‘Iowa Girl’ for the IGHSAU’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee,” Maehl said. “I’ll serve a two-year term, working to better the experiences for female student-athletes by discussing issues related to girls’ high school activities in Iowa.”

Maehl, who lettered and started as a freshman for the Dodgers last season in volleyball, basketball and track, first learned about the opportunity through the IGHSAU’s “Monday Minute” segment via social media.

“It sounded cool; I was drawn to helping carry out the same mission as the FDSH SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee) on a state-wide scale,” said Maehl, a second team all-Iowa Alliance Conference basketball pick in 2022-23. “To apply, I had to fill out some forms, provide a letter of recommendation — shout-out to Mr. (Josh) Porter (FDCSD athletic and activities director at the time; now superintendent) — and also submit a video to the interview panel about me and why I would be a good fit.

“Luckily, I love Tiktok, so I definitely enjoyed this part of the process. Finally, on a normal day of school, Coach (Andi) Adams came into my class and surprised me with a mystery phone call. At first I thought I was in trouble. Turns out, the call was from Erin Gerlich, the IGHSAU Associate Director, and she had the update I’d been waiting on. I was so excited and immediately called my parents to tell them the news.”

Maehl has a full slate of responsibilities to fulfill as a committee member during her sophomore and junior years.

“I will attend meetings, volunteer at state championship events, and participate in an annual retreat as part of my Student Advisory Committee commitment,” said Maehl, the daughter of FDSH graduates Ryan and Rachel (Thompson) Maehl. “This year, we will meet at Camp Sacajawea in Boone.

“My two-year term has already kicked off. We jumped on a Zoom call (earlier) this summer to get to know one another. It was a pretty memorable call, as I was on a shuttle bus back to our hotel after competing at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Chicago. It was fun to meet the other girls…many of them were busy at the softball field or in between practices of some sort.”

Maehl sees this as a chance to grow and mature as a leader both on and off the court, while helping to defeat some of the stigmas and stereotypes that tend to cast a shadow over her hometown.

“I’m excited for this unique opportunity to push me beyond my comfort zone; to meet new people, grow my leadership abilities, and bring back new skills to share with both my school and community,” Maehl said. “I know that, unfortunately, there are negative opinions about FD out there. I want to do my part to positively represent not only Dodger athletics, but the people of Fort Dodge while I serve with girls from other Iowa communities.

“I’m hopeful that my role on this committee might also convince others to take another look at Fort Dodge and recognize the good we have going for us, too.”

Maehl takes her responsibilities as a role model seriously for a multitude of reasons.

“I think this opportunity is one that allows me to serve as a role model to younger girls in the community,” Maehl said. “I hope it will push them to try new things themselves, as well as to be an example to get out of the bubble that we live in.

“I have already had a blast with the other female athletes around the state. It really goes to show the relationships that can be made when you open up and try new things.”

Maehl has a passion for athletics, but she also understands there is a much larger picture to her time at FDSH in the months and years to come.

“Sports are a big part of my life, but that’s not the only thing I want to be known for,” Maehl said. “I enjoy being well-rounded and spreading my natural positive attitude and high-energy that I bring — regardless of whether it’s in volleyball, basketball, track, choir or Dodger Senate.

“As a younger sibling, I’ve been able to see my sister, (2023 FDSH graduate) Lainey (Maehl), have fun being busy with so many activities, which encouraged me to try some of those things, too. Luckily, I’ve been able to add something new.”