Valeria Surkovaite, of Westfield takes aim. (Submitted photo)
WILBRAHAM — Valeria Surkovaite, of Westfield enjoyed a remarkable senior year on the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Riflery team. She served as the team’s only captain, placed second at the biggest match of the season, and was named the Titans’ Most Valuable Player.
It’s hard to believe just the thought of guns horrified Valeria less than two years ago.
However, for anyone who knows Surkovaite, it is not hard to believe the honor roll student confronted an obstacle and overcame a fear.
As an eighth grader in Lithuania, Surkovaite headed to a bus stop at 10 one night following a music lesson. What she saw changed her life.
“I saw a drunk man across the street with a gun,” Valeria explained. “I realized his reasonable judgment wasn’t apparent so I ran really fast. While I was running I heard a gun shot. Ever since then I’ve had a fear of guns. I wanted nothing to do with them. I didn’t even watch action movies with guns.”
For years, Surkovaite stayed as far away from guns as possible. She never touched one; was never even in the presence of one. When she enrolled at WMA as a junior, however, Surkovaite decided it was time to address her fear of guns.
“When I came to WMA I realized it was time to conquer my fear, so I joined riflery,” she said. “My first shot, it took me about 10 minutes to pull the trigger. That’s how scared I was. Since then I’ve realized dangerous things can be soothing. Holding a gun and getting into a zone, it’s calming for me.”
Remarkably, Surkovaite capped her senior year as one of the most successful shooters at the Academy in more than a decade.
“She has the ability to turn everything off and completely focus on what she’s doing,” said first-year Coach Brian Easler, who also noted Surkovaite’s tremendous leadership ability. “That’s probably why she’s also such a good pianist.”
Surkovaite concluded her high school riflery career by placing runner-up at the Prep Gallery Match last month in Connecticut, where she scored a 194 (out of 200) and missed first place by just two points.
“I think the match was an accumulation of all of the hard work that we all put in,” said Surkovaite, who praised the efforts of Coach Easler and Assistant Coach John Lombard. “We proved we came to the competitive level in riflery. Throughout the season it has been a tremendous blessing to see how everyone individually grew, and more importantly, how the team grew at a rapid rate.
“I surpassed my expectations for the season. I never thought I’d shoot as high as I did. I realized riflery isn’t about talent – it’s about hard work, effort, and especially the mindset. You have to understand your body and your way of thinking.”
