Support Jenna to Graduation

Last year, Jenna Zimmermann, joined my team as an international student-athlete from Germany here at the University of North Florida. After leading our team to a remarkable win over FGCU in the season opener, she got hit in the eye which tore her retina, which in turn unfortunately resulted in partial loss of vision in her right eye. After clearance, she returned to spring again and sustained another hit to the eye in the exact location. This hit led to the decision to medically retire from the sport of volleyball. This decision did not come easy; however, in order to pursue her career in Criminal Justice, she cannot live with risking her future if she were to sustain further damage to her vision.

As a result of this decision, Jenna will no longer be able to be on an athletic scholarship which covers her tuition, room, and board. With the support of Coach Wright, the Administration, and the University of North Florida, she is supported to graduate in December. However, to make it, she needs support with food and living costs to remain in the United States. Jenna is choosing to stay and wants to finish with our team and help as a manager this fall. She has been dedicated this spring to this role and we need your support.

Jenna’s family is helping her out as much as they can, but due to the Ukraine-Russia war, which has a great impact on Germany, they are not able to provide for everything she needs. Since the war started in 2022, energy prices exploded, and inflation rose to a post-war high in 2022. Germany is dependent on Russia but supports Ukraine which had and still has a significant impact on the German economy and individual finances.

Jenna is an extremely hardworking, loyal, determined teammate, and she is everything and more than you can ask for in a friend. Jenna has made an extraordinary impact on the volleyball program here at UNF in her time. Her leadership, competitiveness, and love for the sport has impacted this program. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her. Academically, Jenna is an honor-roll student who truly values her education and is a great role model of what it takes to be a student-athlete. She understands the sacrifice it takes to be successful at the D1 level, and she is willing and wanting to continue to give to our team even after medically retiring.

Jenna will need $5,000 to make it with rent and a fairly low budget for food in the fall. Will you help us reach our goal by August 1st so she knows she can return? Let’s all come together and help Jenna reach her goals.

God Bless,

Mya Sopata