The dry Oklahoma heat paved a trail of sweat down my back as I stood face-to-face with the opposing keeper: the score was 3-3 in the penalty kick battle to win the finals of the local tournament, Beat the Heat. With the ball set on the PK spot, I adjusted my stance and lunged to kick. Immediately, I knew my shot would turn into more of a shank. My chest tilted toward the sky, and my peripheral vision caught the ball shooting upward like a field goal kick. My stomach sank.
The once-silent crowd shifted to a mix of half-relieved, half-disappointed whispers as the ball’s trajectory sailed over the goal. My eyes soon turned hazy with tears. The walk of shame back to my lined-up teammates was one I thought I would never forget-but the reaction of the opposing team’s player when she missed would stand out in my mind forever.
Her strike landed right into the hands of our keeper. Instead of frustration, she reacted with collective humor, throwing her hands up in a lighthearted “Whoops! I’ll get it next time” way. She walked back to her teammates, chuckling-half amused, half surprised-focusing not on her mistake but the next girl up for her team.
This reaction was something I had never seen before, even after 15 years of soccer experience-including 8 years of club soccer under my belt. I always knew I took things too harshly, too personally, especially when it came to mistakes, no matter how small. All my life, coaches and family would say things like, “Have a brain like a goldfish,” or “Just forget about it and keep playing,” but that was something I could never truly grasp-until that moment.
Even after my teammate scored the winning PK, securing our first-place finish, I couldn’t get the memory of the opposing player's pure “I’ll get it next time,” attitude. Since that day, I made a conscious effort not to take things too personally-no matter the mistake or how much I was upset inside. That mindset followed me into every practice and game, helping me gain my spark back for soccer. Where I once dreaded practices and anxiously watched the clock during a game, I now found joy in playing again.
This shift in perspective helped me push through the hard competition in the ECNL and ECRL conferences and navigate starting high school soccer as one of the only freshmen on varsity. It allowed me to play freely-without fear-causing a newfound interest from college programs. As visits and offers began to come in, I had fun playing the sport I love. That passion made my commitment to play at a Division II level in college even more fulfilling.
Although this lesson helped me grow as an athlete, it also propelled me through my rigorous Advanced Placement courses. By shifting my focus from the grade to the learning process, I was able to apply the same growth mindset academically. As I let go of my past setbacks, my understanding of complex topics started to flood in, helping me discover my passion for the medical field. In the future, I plan to major in Biology on a pre-med track at Southern Nazarene University. By applying the same principles of focusing on progress rather than dwelling on mistakes, I hope to pass that lesson on to my future patients as I guide them back to health.
My career goals is to get a bachelor’s degree in business administration and play soccer professionally. I have played soccer since I was four years old and zeroed in on the Goalkeepers position when I was around the age of 9 or 10. I fell in love with soccer. I started playing soccer at a competitive level since then. I have committed every hour of my day to improve myself for this sport so I can follow my dream of becoming a pro soccer player someday. This includes being in my high school soccer team going on four years. We do weights twice a week in the morning at 0630 a.m. and practice during 6t hours.
My freshman year was rough. I was told by some senior soccer players that I was not good enough. I wanted to quit but instead I put in even more work and learned that I am my worst roadblock if I listen to the negative comments.
Today, I am the varsity goalkeeper going on my third year and we won the district championship last year. I continue to train as hard as I can. I attend as many soccer camps as I can, and I train with a private trainer a couple of times of week. When I am not doing this, I am at the gym lifting weights or running outside. I can easily run about five miles at a time. I also went overseas a few years ago to practice with London teams to try to improve my skills. Finally, last summer I went to Camp Shutout which is the largest Goalkeeper camp in the world. I have also attended many soccer identification camps to try to find the right college for me to continue my education and to pursue my soccer career. About two years ago, I met a coach at a soccer ID camp and we talked in between games. He told me he was very impressed with my skills and especially how I played so well from the back of the line. He is the soccer coach for a NCAA D2 school in Missouri. I sent this coach, along with other schools, many of my highlight videos that I have created during the last two years showing every aspect of my goalkeeper position and strategy.
Last year this invited me to visit his soccer team and the school. The school visit was great. I felt very welcome and immediately felt like this was my home. I also trained with the soccer team and was very impressed by their skills and how much they welcomed me. The coach gave me an offer last November. Today I am very excited have all the hard work turn into this huge opportunity to play soccer at the college level.
Soccer has been one of the most defining forces in my life. From the moment I first stepped onto the field, I learned that success requires discipline, consistency, and mental strength. Over time, the sport became more than competition—it became a foundation for how I approach challenges, setbacks, and personal growth.
Throughout my athletic journey, I have faced numerous obstacles, including intense pressure, injuries, and moments of self-doubt. Being sidelined due to injury was especially difficult, as it forced me to step away from something that had become a central part of my identity. During those moments, I had to learn patience, humility, and resilience. Instead of allowing setbacks to define me, I focused on recovery, improvement, and supporting my teammates. These experiences strengthened my mindset and taught me how to remain committed even when progress feels uncertain.
I chose soccer because it constantly pushes me to become better—physically, mentally, and emotionally. The sport challenges me to adapt, think strategically, and perform under pressure. It has also given me opportunities to grow as a leader. As a team captain and role model, I learned that leadership is built on trust, accountability, and example. Showing up prepared, encouraging teammates, and maintaining a positive attitude are just as important as scoring goals or winning games.
Beyond personal growth, soccer has shaped my desire to give back to my community. Throughout my journey, I have benefited from coaches, mentors, and teammates who believed in me during difficult moments. Their guidance helped me stay focused and motivated, especially when doubts and setbacks threatened my confidence. Because of this, I feel a strong responsibility to provide that same support to others.
I plan to give back by mentoring younger athletes and students, especially those who struggle with confidence, injuries, or balancing academics with sports. I want to help them understand that setbacks do not determine their future and that discipline and consistency can lead to long-term success. Whether through coaching, tutoring, or informal mentorship, I hope to be a reliable source of encouragement and guidance.
In the future, I also aim to use the platform I build through athletics and business to support community initiatives. I am passionate about youth development, education, and animal welfare, and I hope to contribute through fundraising, volunteering, and awareness programs. By creating opportunities for young people and supporting causes that protect vulnerable minorities, I want my success to have a meaningful purpose beyond personal achievement.
Soccer has taught me how to persevere through adversity, lead with integrity, and serve others with humility. These lessons continue to shape my character and guide my commitment to giving back. I strive not only to succeed individually, but also to uplift those around me and leave a positive impact on every community I become part of.
