Jui2ced by Otis Anderson Jr. Scholarship

When people use the term “student-athlete”, they put the student before the athlete for a reason. Being on top of your grades is crucial for an athlete to participate in a competitive sport. There were a handful of things I had to realize to keep myself motivated and excel in both the classroom and on the court. Ever since I was young, I’ve always had this gut feeling that I wasn’t going to leave Earth without being a concrete change for generations to come. My parents have always told me that I have a brain that could be useful, no matter what path I take. Whether it’s pursuing a degree in mental health, or helping repair teeth, finding a way to positively influence the world is the ultimate objective. Staying on top of my grades and staying focused is the least I could possibly do. I know the work and effort that I am putting in now will eventually contribute towards the endmost goal. Even through education, helping and supporting the less fortunate is a way to not only make a change, but also to spread acts of kindness. When you try to be the good, you see the good. Being an athlete has very well shaped me into who I am today. I have faced lots of different trials and adversity on and off the court. One pill that was hard for me to swallow was ignoring the temporary glory that the social media platforms display to the public. Constantly looking forward to be posted on social media would eventually find its way into my performance. Recurring anxiety from things that happen outside of basketball and the instant gratification that the public can give you started to alter the way that I would play. What I’ve come to realize is, whatever it is, do it for yourself. Certain things including exercise, learning, rest, and leisure can always be done for the sake of seeing yourself improve and grow. Coaches, teammates, and other individuals have said things that make me feel helpless, like questioning my music interests, my playing style, making inappropriate jokes, etc. I have come to realize that it hurts nobody else but me to let it run my mood. The only person who can respond in an appropriate manner is me. Great amounts of growth is made that is not seen. This helped me in everyday life as well. Knowing I can overcome any other problems or issues assists me to keep my mental boat steady, whether it is a situation at home, school, or l relating to basketball. The amount of money, time, tears, and hardships spent on an orange ball to go through a netting is unbearable, so why not have a little fun with it? There is a time to buckle down and handle business, but the sport is supposed to bring joy. It’s important to find what brings you joy and get yourself there. You cannot determine your happiness on your sports performance. It may be a bad game, but it is certainly not a bad career. Everything happens at the right time, even though it might not feel like it. Staying positive is the main principle when it comes down to helping yourself and others. The external voices, like social media and individuals, can become so loud that it is hard to hear your internal one. Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom and success.

My dad loves to tell stories about how my love of sports came from the time we spent watching ESPN together while I sat in my high chair eating Cheerios. I’ve always loved sports and having a father who was an athlete-turned-coach, the importance of team sports was instilled in me at a very early age. My dad always says that the most important lessons we learn through sports have nothing to do with the game, but with life. As soon as I was old enough to play football, my dad registered me for the local team. While football wasn’t my true passion, I loved being on the field, being part of a team, and the competitive aspect of weekly games. After dabbling in a variety of sports, I ended up on my first soccer team, where I felt at home. From that point on, soccer has been an integral part of my life. The pitch is where I formed some of my most important relationships, faced some of my toughest challenges, and learned lessons that I will always carry with me. As a kid, I was diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases which, among other things, made me the smallest kid on every team. Up until about middle school, my size wasn’t a particular disadvantage because even though I was small, I was fast. As I got older and the level of competition increased, each game I would get thrown around like a ragdoll by opponents who seemed twice my size. My dad would always tell me to never let my emotions show on the field, so even as the most fouled player in every game for years on end, I never displayed my frustration. When I grew tired of eating dirt in nearly every game, I talked to my parents about getting into the gym and trying to bulk up. I knew that some aspects of my physical development were out of my control, but I also knew that if I put the energy and dedication into my diet and off-field exercises, I could improve my physicality and ultimately be a better asset to my team. After talking with my doctors, my dad and I embarked on a strength training regimen that both built me up physically and gave us hours of quality time each week. It was during one of our sessions that my father, a teacher with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, spoke so enthusiastically about his role as a black man in an underrepresented field. I knew I was interested in psychology because of my fascination with whole the human mind works, but I didn’t quite realize how critical it is to have people of color in these positions until that day with my dad. Over 7 million black Americans reported a mental illness diagnosis in the past year, however, it is estimated that only 25% of black people in America seek mental health treatment when needed. This is a growing problem in the black community that urgently needs to be addressed. I believe that my purpose in life is to address this problem and dedicate myself to helping my community, and the only path that leads to achieving this goal is through higher education. Only 4.7% of psychologists are black and 32.5% are men; the primary reason that many black people, black men especially, don’t seek treatment is that they don’t feel represented. Using my formal education alongside the invaluable lessons I’ve learned on the field, I hope to be someone who can provide help and support to others.

As a student, I have always been passionate about making a positive impact on the world through my education. I believe that education is a powerful tool for creating positive change and improving the lives of others. In the future, I plan to use my education to make a meaningful difference in the world by working in the field of business. One specific area that I am particularly interested in is entrepreneurship. I am currently studying business and hope to use my education and skills to start my own successful company. I believe that entrepreneurship is a powerful way to make a positive impact on society and to create new opportunities for others. I am determined to use my education and career to help build a better world through the development of innovative and sustainable business models. In addition to my work in business, I also plan to use my education to become involved in community service and volunteer work. I believe that it is important to give back to others and to use my skills and abilities to make a positive difference in the world. I am committed to using my education to make a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of others. One specific way that I hope to make a positive impact through my education and career is by using my business skills to help address important social and environmental issues. I am particularly interested in using my skills to help create more sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices. I believe that we have a responsibility to take care of the planet and to preserve it for future generations, and I am determined to use my education and career to help make a difference in this area. While I am excited about the possibilities that my education can bring, I know that there will be obstacles and challenges along the way. One major obstacle that I have faced while running track is the pressure to perform at a high level. As an athlete, I have often felt the weight of expectations on my shoulders and have had to work hard to maintain my focus and determination. However, this pressure has also helped me to build character and develop important life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. Through my experiences in track, I have learned the value of hard work and dedication, and have developed the resilience and determination to overcome setbacks and challenges. In summary, I am committed to using my education to make a positive impact on the world through entrepreneurship and community service. I am particularly interested in using my business skills to help address important social and environmental issues and to create more sustainable business practices. While there will be obstacles and challenges along the way, I am confident that my experiences in track and my strong character will help me to overcome them and succeed in my goals.