SUSQUEHANNA, Pa. — Lexis Iveson is a freshman at Penn State Scranton, playing on the women's basketball team. The Susquehanna County native loved playing the sport in high school and thought her time on the court was done when she graduated last year.
"When the coach from Penn State Scranton reached out to me saying I really want you on my team and it was kind of a the first time that someone showed an interest on the level that he did," Iveson said.
But she had been keeping a secret from her teammates about her true passion.
Recently, Iveson came to practice in her firefighter dress uniform. It surprised her coach and teammates who didn't know she is also a volunteer firefighter.
"It is one of the most rewarding things I've ever chosen to do in my life. You don't do it for recognition, you do it for other people. When people find out I do it, they ask a lot of questions about it," Iveson said.
Lexis has been a member of the Susquehanna Fire Department since she was 14 years old. She says it was her father and other members of the department who inspired her to join because of their dedication. Iveson is majoring in Criminal Justice and says helping others is something she is passionate about. When she's not in class or at practice, she's ready for the call, somehow managing to balance school, basketball, and firefighting.
"When I do come home on the weekends or whenever I am here, if a call goes I'll go on it unless I have schoolwork to do because obviously I have to prioritize that."
Iveson's commitment and dedication to the team is just as important to her community and the skills go hand in hand.
"People around me need help and I'm the first person closest to them. The training I get here goes hand in hand with everything else in my life. It really gives me the preparedness to be able to do those types of things, if I ever have to," Iveson said.
She hopes to ignite an interest in the next generation of future female firefighters and athletes.