During an assembly Tuesday at the Altoona Area School District’s Pleasant Valley Elementary School, Michitti, 21, inspired students, like fifth grader Teagan Snyder, to never give up in the pursuit of their dreams and to always be kind to others.

According to Snyder, Michitti told the fifth grade class that she was bullied in school because of her limb difference, but Michitti’s friends helped her through that obstacle.

After hearing Michitti’s presentation, Snyder said she learned to “stand up for” people being bullied in school. Snyder hopes to make a difference and be remembered as a kind person in school, she said.

Athlete and entrepreneur Alexia Michitti plays football with Pleasant Valley Elementary second graders (from left) Miles Noll, Carter Downey and Davina Lee during recess Tuesday afternoon. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

Michitti was a captain of the first Team USA Amputees Women’s World Cup squad in 2024 as a goalkeeper. She helped the United States win a silver medal and was awarded the Golden Glove trophy.

Michitti is also the founder of EM13RACE — an adaptive clothing brand designed for people with limb differences.

While visiting kindergartners in Melanie Gearhart’s classroom, Michitti showed students the Golden Glove trophy and let them hold her silver medal.

She also taught them how to balance a soccer ball and answered questions about her life.

The students formed a line and took turns balancing Michitti’s soccer ball on their backs.

Professional soccer player and entrepreneur Alexia Michitti answers questions from kindergarten students in Melanie Gearhart’s classroom Tuesday at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

Michitti instructed Carlos Ospina Nunes, the first student in line, to push his shoulders back, lean forward and look straight ahead as she placed the soccer ball on the back of his neck.

After the ball remained balanced for a few seconds, Ospina Nunes’ classmates began to clap as they waited for their opportunity to learn the trick.

One kindergartner asked Michitti what she likes to eat. Michitti said pizza is her favorite food because her dad owns a pizza shop in New York.

Another student asked Michitti how many goals she has made in her professional soccer career.

“A lot. I don’t know how many goals,” Michitti said. “I’ve probably scored over a hundred goals in my life.”

In turn, Michitti asked the students what they enjoy about kindergarten, to which one student raised her hand and said her favorite part of the day is getting to go outside for recess.

At the start of the day, Michitti ate breakfast in the school’s cafeteria with first graders. She held an assembly for third and fourth graders before speaking to fifth graders and playing soccer and football with second graders during recess.

She also interacted with fourth and fifth graders during their recess time at the end of the school day.

“They’re very welcoming and it’s super fun to spend some time with them outside of just having more of a formal conversation when I speak to them inside,” Michitti said of the students.

Principal Teri Myers said Michitti has redefined what it means to overcome adversity.

“We want our students to leave Alexia’s presentation with a better understanding that we have more in common with each other than we do differences,” Myers said.

Michitti also spoke with families during another assembly at the school Tuesday night. The program was sponsored by the Pleasant Valley Elementary Parent Teacher Association.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.