From the age of four years old, I have been involved in youth sports. With a youth sports career spanning basketball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming, and running, I consider myself to be very well-versed in the youth sports world. Throughout my youth sports experiences, I have learned many valuable lessons. These lessons have helped to shape my character and make me who I am today. My youth sports experiences have led me to pursue my dream of swimming in college. Additionally, I plan to continue being involved in my community through youth sports, even as I transition into adulthood. Youth sports instilled valuable life lessons into me that I want to pass on to the next generation of young athletes. Youth sports have been a big part of my life for years. Whether I am swimming in a swim meet, running in a cross-country meet, or cheering on one of my brothers in his baseball game, it is rare that I have a sports-free weekend. While this might sound exhausting to some, I love it. I grew up in a very competitive and athletic family, and participating in sports was a given. In fact, my father was one of my first youth sports coaches. While he does not coach me anymore, he, and the rest of my family, are very supportive of me and my younger siblings’ sports teams. My family has shown me the positive impact that youth sports make in a community, and I want to pass down this sports legacy to my own children. I firmly believe that youth sports are one of the best experiences that a child can have. I made my best friends through youth sports. I learned the values of discipline, teamwork, perseverance, time management, and hard work by playing sports. As I age out of youth sports, these values and my experiences have inspired me to make a difference in the lives of younger athletes. I have volunteered my time at cross county meets, track meets, basketball games, and swim meets. In addition, I work to encourage younger athletes in their sports journeys and encourage non-athletes to get involved in a sport. During my sophomore year of high school, when I was unable to compete because of a torn ACL, I helped manage my track team. Going through this time of being unable to participate in sports taught me many lessons. Now, I want to share those lessons with other athletes. I encourage others to never take their athletic abilities for granted or complain about a meet, game, or workout because you never know when you could lose your ability to play. I know that playing sports is a true privilege, and I want every child to be able to share in this treasure. As I am about to end my youth sports career and begin my journey into the world of collegiate athletics, I still want to remain involved in youth sports. I plan to encourage and motivate my seven younger siblings in their sports endeavors, as well as possibly coaching a sports team in the summer between school semesters. When I have my own children, there is a high possibility that my future husband and I will be volunteering as some of their coaches. Hopefully one day I will get to attend my grandchildren’s sports games. Wherever I end up in life, I desire to support and encourage youth sports.

As a Christian, I try to ensure that all areas of my life reflect Christ. In this stage of my life that includes my athletics, academics, church involvement, social life, and spiritual life. As I prepare to begin the next chapter of my life by attending college and obtaining an accounting degree, I will make sure that I do not lose sight of my beliefs, values, and ethics. Honesty, integrity, patience, self-control, discipline, and hard work will all be vital as I begin this journey. My honesty and integrity will make me stand out in the business world. Honesty and integrity are especially important in business transactions. No one wants to work with someone who is dishonest and lacks integrity. Lying and cheating also displease God. Proverbs 20:10 says “The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.” In my future career I will work hard to never lie, deceive, cheat, or misrepresent information, especially as an accountant. I also want the Fruit of the Spirit to show in me as I navigate the business world. Specifically, I believe that patience and self-control are important characteristics of a good businesswoman. Proverbs 16:32 states “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” I will demonstrate patience by listening to others, speaking kindly, and prioritizing long-term gains over short-term benefits. I will also demonstrate self-control in the business world. I believe that self-control in the business world means not taking on unnecessary debt and being a good steward of the money that you have. Proverbs 22:7 mentions that “the borrower is slave to the lender.” While a successful business may have some debt, I will advocate against exorbitant amounts of debt. I will strive to ensure that I am a good steward in the business world by encouraging whatever companies I am involved with to give back to the community. Finally, I will always work hard and be disciplined no matter where I end up in the world of business. The older that I have gotten, the more I realize the value of hard work and being disciplined. Sadly, I have also noticed how few people are willing to put in the hours and work hard to achieve their goals. Not only do I want to work hard for God, my family, and myself, I also want to set a good example for others through my hard work and effort. I take much encouragement from Proverbs 14:23, which says “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” I know that my hard work will make me stand out from others. By working hard, I will also find success in the business world. Proverbs 12:24 says “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” I hope to use my success in my career to be a light and point others toward Christ. In conclusion, my Christian beliefs, values, and ethics will guide me throughout my career in business by providing me with a firm foundation. I will always strive to be honest, patient, self-controlled, disciplined, hard-working, and have integrity. I know that my career will have many ups and downs, but as long as I trust God and follow Him, I will succeed. Indeed, Proverbs 2:7 says “He holds success in store for the upright.”