The greatest lesson I have learned as a leader in high school sports is that strength is not only about being fearless– but also about showing up for others even when you’re afraid.
I have been a gymnast for as long as I can remember. At three years old I was known as the family's daredevil, turning beds into trampolines and flipping across anything I could find. That energy eventually found a home in the sport of gymnastics, where I quickly developed both skill and passion. For the adolescent years of my career, I competed without fear. But as I grew older and entered High School I grew more fearful. The stakes were higher, the expectations were heavier, and for the first time I began to doubt myself.
Vault, my specialty, became a mental battle every practice. Standing at the end of the runway, I often questioned whether I could do it at all. Despite being a state qualifying gymnast I felt overwhelmed by anxiety. What kept me going was not only my individual determination, but the support of my teammates. They reminded me that courage is not the absence of fear– it's acting in spite of it. One teammate in particular, Annika, showed me what that looked like. Before a critical vault at the state championship, she was visibly shaking with nerves. Yet she ran, flipped and delivered the best Vault when it mattered the most. Watching her succeed despite her own fear changed the way I viewed my own struggles.
By my Junior year, I had the opportunity to step into a leadership role through our teams “Big Sis/Little Sis”. I was paired with Paige, a younger gymnast who, like me, specialized in Vault. As I got to know her, I quickly realized the same fears and pressures I had once faced. In her uncertainty, I saw a reflection of my younger self, who just needed that little push. Instead of feeling powerless, I realized I had the ability to help and change things.
I began sharing the same advice my teammates had once given me. I helped her practice drills, make key words to talk through nerves, and most importantly reminded her she was capable, even when she didn't believe it herself. Supporting Paige as her Big sister taught me that leadership is not about being the best athlete on the team, it's about lifting others up when they need it most. Watching her grow in confidence and succeed as a state qualifier was one of the most rewarding experiences of my athletic career.
Through gymnastics, I learned that leadership is a cycle. I was once the athlete who needed encouragement, and over time, I became the person to pass it forward. That full-circle experience showed me that true leadership is rooted in resilience, empathy, and connection.
Finishing my last final season, I carry this lesson with me beyond the gym. No matter where I go, I know that leadership means showing up for yourself and others, even when it's hard.
I have learned many lessons as a leader in my sports career in high school, including the value of humility, empathy, accountability, and resilience after failure. I have been a 3 sport athlete for all years of high school, including cross country, gymnastics, and soccer. I have been a leader in all three sports, from leading warmups to being a positive influence to teammates, I always am able to help in any way. I have encountered many setbacks and failures in my athletic career, some even out of my control.
Having a captain title doesn’t mean you are the leader of a team, it means your team sees you as a trusting leader. I had to prove that I could make a lasting impact on my team when I wasn’t always supported. As an underclassman, I did not have much support from upperclassmen and coaches. I hated feeling like I wasn’t wanted or appreciated at practice or games. I knew that when I became an upperclassman, I didn’t want any teammate of mine to feel like I did. I do my best to make sure all my teammates feel safe and wanted on the team. I try my best to be an open ear to everyone about anything they need, sport related or not. I was lucky enough to be named a captain of my gymnastic and soccer team of my senior year. I made sure that I kept my promises to be there for my teammates and give it my all in everything I did.
The greatest lesson I have learned is to persevere through failures and mistakes. It is easier said than done. Being a leader is difficult when you don’t have support from your coaches or some teammates. I did not want any of my teammates to feel like this. As I grew older, I learned that people came from different backgrounds and issues in their lives. I learned that I had to treat every person with empathy and respect. Everyone deserves a chance to have the best life possible.
No matter the challenges, I have learned to always do my best. I have failed many times as an athlete. One of the most difficult times was during a cross country race, when I didn’t want to continue running. The day was very hot and humid, so running a 5k race was not what I wanted to do in that moment. During some of my races as an underclassman, I gave up by walking during that race and not thinking I could do it. Ultimately, I finished every race and utilized my struggles to grow. I began to get mentally stronger as an athlete and was able to uplift my fellow teammates. I took my mental toughness with me in difficult situations. I used my failures as a learning opportunity for myself and others. I have learned to lead my teammates by providing them with helpful tools and advice that they in turn use to be successful.
The greatest lesson I learned as a leader in high school sports is that leadership is not about being the most talented athlete, but about creating an environment where everyone else can succeed. Serving as both the gymnastics and track team captain for three years showed me that true leadership is rooted in empathy, consistency, and selflessness.
In gymnastics, I quickly realized that even though it is often seen as an individual sport, the team dynamic plays a huge role in each athlete’s success. Every routine is performed alone, but the confidence behind it is built through the support of teammates. As a captain, I made it a priority to be someone my teammates could rely on—not just for technical help, but for encouragement and understanding. I learned to recognize when someone was struggling mentally, whether it was fear of a new skill or frustration after a mistake, and to respond with patience rather than pressure. This experience taught me that sometimes the most impactful thing a leader can do is simply show belief in others, especially when they are doubting themselves.
Track and field challenged me to grow in a different way. With such a diverse group of athletes competing in different events, leadership required adaptability. I couldn’t lead everyone the same way because each teammate had different motivations, strengths, and goals. Some were highly competitive and focused on winning, while others were newer to the sport and just trying to improve. I learned how to connect with individuals on a personal level, offering support that matched their needs. This helped me understand that effective leadership is not one-size-fits-all—it requires listening, observing, and adjusting.
Across both teams, I also learned the importance of leading by example. There were days when practices were tough, motivation was low, or results didn’t go our way. In those moments, I realized that my attitude directly influenced the team. By showing up with a strong work ethic, staying positive, and holding myself accountable, I could help set the tone. This consistency built trust and respect among my teammates, which made my leadership more meaningful.
Perhaps most importantly, I learned that leadership is about service. It’s about putting the team before yourself, supporting others through challenges, and celebrating their successes just as much as your own. Being a captain during both the highs and lows—wins, losses, injuries, and setbacks—taught me resilience and how to guide others through adversity.
These experiences shaped my understanding of leadership in a lasting way. I now see leadership as the ability to uplift others, adapt to different situations, and remain steady in difficult moments. The lessons I learned as a gymnastics and track captain will continue to influence how I approach teamwork, challenges, and leadership in every part of my life.
