HPHS Senior Alexandra Thornton competed in the Youth Pan American Games in Columbia, South America on June 8, 2018. The road to the games was long and arduous. She was notified that she made the squad in March 2018. Her preparation paid huge dividends when she was able to capture a bronze medal for Team USA with a 101kg clean and jerk.  This culminated in a trip to the podium holding the American flag. She reflected that she now understood what it was like to represent something bigger than yourself.