November 12, 2025, Lancaster ISD/Lancaster, TX – By the age of three, Kamiya Star Beck was playing for the Lancaster Lil’ Tigers Soccer team, where a simple black and white soccer ball captured her imagination and opened the door to endless possibilities. Now, at just 17, that same soccer ball has carried her from DFW soccer fields to national recognition, earning her a place among the nation’s top soccer players and making her a standout student-athlete in Lancaster ISD.
On November 12, 2025, Beck made Lancaster High School history when she signed her National Letter of Intent to play soccer for Southern Methodist University, a Division I program in the Atlantic Coast Conference. She will become the first student-athlete to graduate early from the Lancaster STEM Early College High School (LSECHS) program in December.
“This is a history-making moment for Lancaster ISD,” Lancaster ISD Athletic Director Kendrick Brown said. “Not only has Kamiya raised the bar for student-athletes, she has excelled in her schoolwork while playing soccer. She is the epitome of what a student-athlete represents in Lancaster ISD.”
Although Beck’s demeanor is shy and reserved, her soccer achievements stand out and are nothing short of remarkable. She has been recognized among the Top Players to Watch – Class of 2026 by ImYouthSoccer and is currently ranked No. 5 in her position, No. 11 in the state, and No. 64 nationally according to Top Drawer Soccer. As a member of her elite club team, Solar Soccer Club, she has earned multiple championships and honors, including back-to-back Texas Conference titles, national tournament wins, and several ECNL All-Conference and All-American selections. As a member of the Lancaster High School Soccer team, she has been named Varsity All-District Attacking Midfield Player of the Year, District 14-5A MVP, and earned spots on multiple All-Tournament and All-District first teams, further cementing her reputation as the most decorated player in the program’s history.
Former Lancaster High School Head Girls Soccer Coach Christy Courtney shared her excitement in watching Beck’s growth since her freshman year.
“Kamiya came to me as a freshman wanting to join the team and play soccer with her big sister. She was soft-spoken and shy at first, but she quickly stepped onto the field and became a leader from the very beginning,” Courtney expressed. “She showed the girls what it means to share, to be a true teammate, and to put every bit of heart and soul into the game. Now I get to watch her go be her best self in college. We are so proud of her, and we know she’ll do amazing things. We’ll always be her biggest cheerleaders.”
LSECHS principal, Ashley Tippit, says Beck’s academic determination and drive have inspired the creation of a special academic track for future early college student-athletes who may want to follow in her footsteps.
“Kamiya is a wonderful scholar, an excellent athlete, and an all-around great person. When she and her parents first approached us about graduating early, my initial reaction was ‘no’ because we had never had a student make that request before. But we knew that if anyone could do it, it would be Kamiya,” Tippit said. “We met with her parents and mapped out a plan that included her taking three rigorous, college-level courses over the summer so she could graduate early. That just shows her commitment to her academics. I’m so happy I was able to witness her journey and have faith in her to get it done. Our entire early college team is extremely proud of her. She has set the precedent that graduating early from our program while being an elite student-athlete can be achieved through hard work and determination.”
Hard work and determination are two things Beck’s family taught her to embrace while balancing her soccer talents and academic achievement. Her mother and father, Kristine and Donnie Beck are proud alumni of Lancaster High School, and have encouraged her to pursue her wildest dreams, even if it requires hard work and sacrifice.
“We are so proud of our daughter,” Kristine Beck shared. “We know how hard she has worked for this moment and have been there every step of the way as she’s pursued her goals. Today’s signing was such a wonderful showcase of love and support for Yaya, and we couldn’t be happier.”
With her family, friends, and school behind her, Beck feels positive about her future transition to a university student-athlete.
“I feel really good and I am happy I am going to finally be a mustang. SMU is the right fit for me and the right decision. It was a little stressful during the recruitment process with schoolwork, but I think it was a lot of learning on and off the field that has made me who I am today.”
Beck will graduate early from high school in December and officially become an SMU Mustang in January of 2026.
To view photos from Kamiya Beck’s National Signing Day celebration held at Lancaster High School, click the following link: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAt8k.