Parkland High School senior Jill Bushinsky had plenty of choices to continue her academic and athletic career at the Division I level. But when it came down to deciding, Bushinsky wanted to stay close to home and close to her family. The City of Brotherly Love offered both as Bushinsky signed her letter of intent to play lacrosse at Temple University.

“I chose Temple because it was close to home, I have family in Philadelphia and it has a competitive lacrosse program,” said Bushinsky. “I had four other offers: Virginia Commonwealth University, Drexel University, American University and Longwood University. It was a very hard decision, but the choice for me was between Temple and Virginia Commonwealth University.”

With COVID-19 canceling the spring sports season, Bushinsky, like many other student-athletes, has had to adjust to not being able to compete at all during the 2020 season.

“I have been working out every day,” Bushinsky said. “I have been running several miles and switching it with lifting. Also, I have been practicing my lacrosse skills with my sister, Shannon, who plays for the University of Delaware women’s club team. They are ranked second in the nation. The two of us have been passing, shooting, and doing stick tricks every day.

“In addition, I have been keeping up with my studies to excel in my academics at Temple. I plan to study secondary education with a concentration in social studies.”

While she may not have been able to play her senior season with the Trojans and bring home more trophies to Parkland, Bushinsky looks back fondly on her time as a Trojan.

“We have won four straight district titles,” said Bushinsky. “And we were also EPC champions my freshman and junior years, while we were runners-up my sophomore year. I was lucky to play with my sister Shannon, who was a senior when I was a freshman. Also, during my sophomore season, our team was the first girls lacrosse team in school history and first in the Lehigh Valley to win a state game.

“The spirit comes from the girls. We always have the heart and grit to fight. When we play the tough Philly teams, we give them our all. Our coach challenges us by putting those hard teams on our schedule. The team uses those games to practice for the competition at the state level. Playing Philly teams has changed the team’s style of practicing and playing. We watch film and mold our way of playing to adapt to the other teams.”

Her time at Parkland, not only on the field but in the classroom, will go a long way in helping her adjust to Division I college level.

“Parkland gave me so many options to excel in both athletics and academics,” Bushinsky said. “I had the opportunity to play a varsity sport and take five Advanced Placement and Honors courses over my four years at Parkland. I was also able to show my athleticism and my smartness. I was named the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) girls’ lacrosse scholar-athlete.”