Over the years, I have struggled with sports-related injuries. During my sophomore year, I fractured my right hip at the beginning of the school year and then my left hip at the end of the school year – both injuries were the result of playing football. Just after my hip healed, I broke my kneecap playing varsity basketball and had to have 2 major surgeries. This meant that I would not be able to participate in sports during my junior year either. I was devastated! My family, along with the support of my teachers and coaches, encouraged me not to get down on myself. I had to dig deep and find the mental space to believe in myself when so many others suggested that I quit sports altogether. I knew what it looked like in the natural, but I also knew what I wanted to get back to. I was able to persevere and find other positive outlets to keep me focused and in good spirits during my healing process. I began to channel that energy into academics, my church youth group, and volunteering opportunities. Now, as a senior and after countless hours of disciplined rehab and physical therapy, I am proud to say that I am fully healed. I was able to get back on the playing field with a new focus and renewed faith. Some will never understand my journey, but that is fine. It’s not for everyone to understand. After two, long years of major season-ending injuries, I had two choices – quit or elevate. I chose to elevate and push myself beyond what I thought was possible. Through this process, I’ve learned that the qualities that I most value in myself are my "no quit" mindset and self-discipline. My mindset and self-discipline have proven to be crucial when it comes to the mental and physical journey I have endured. I was recently crowned Homecoming King and named to the all-district football selection for offense and special teams. I am currently in the top 12% of my graduating class and I have already been accepted to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. I am believing and pray that God will provide a way for me to attend financially. I plan to major in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in Sports Management. I feel that if I had off let the negative thoughts infiltrate my mind and take control instead of drowning them out, the outcome of my journey, my growing and thriving process, would have been a much different story to tell.