Derk Golden Memorial Scholarship

Picture this: A sunny afternoon on a well-manicured field, the grass vibrant and inviting. A kid, just four years old, stands beside her dad, their gloves clasped tightly, ready to take on the world of softball together. My passion for softball has grown exponentially. I soaked up wisdom from numerous coaches, including my dad, who serves as my guiding light. Each swing of the bat, every practice drill, and every game is an opportunity to learn, improve, and experience the sheer joy of the sport. Whether I found myself in the dugout, at practice, or on the field during intense games, the infectious excitement of the game coursed through my veins. Having a ready-made group of friends who share the same passion and dedication has been a foundation. Playing alongside such talent and drive has imparted valuable life lessons about teamwork and unity. I believe that we each have our own pace of learning and our own unique limitations but ultimately everyone is out there doing their best. Instead of offering vocal critiques, I lead by example, quietly supporting everyone's efforts. We may have our differences, but our collective goal unites us. Softball, with its inherent nature of failure, where success at the plate is achieved only three out of ten times, can be disheartening. But amidst those frequent misses, there are rare moments when I connect with the ball, and as I dash down the base path, an exhilarating surge of joy floods my heart. It's in those magical moments that all the hard work and dedication finally pay off. It is during those moments of discomfort or difficulty that I remind myself why I fell in love with softball in the first place. One time my coach unexpectedly shifted me from the infield to the catching position, forcing me to quickly adapt to a whole new set of skills. But I embraced the challenge, and in my sophomore year, when a teammate contracted Covid, I seized the opportunity to reclaim my beloved third base position. And you know what? I held onto that spot even after she recovered, proving my worth on the field. I also had to prove myself to secure a spot on the varsity team as a freshman. Every year, I’ve solidified my position on both my high school and club teams. Now, even during moments of struggle, my teammates and coaches trust in my ability to bounce back, shake off setbacks, and focus on the next play. Softball has taught me to push past my limits and remember that it is just a game that I love. Sometime we can get caught up in failure. Softball has taught me to be resilient and trust in myself. I have gained so many relationships through softball that I will cherish forever. Visualize that sunny day on the softball field again, but this time, with the image of a young girl playing catch with her dad ingrained in your mind. That image embodies a shared past, present, and future, the foundation of my greatest passion—playing softball.