Some people find healing in time, others in talking — I found mine standing on a softball field, learning how to be strong again. When I lost my mom to breast cancer in 2017, everything in my life changed very quickly. It’s hard to explain the kind of emptiness that kind of loss leaves behind. I remember feeling like I was stuck, like the rest of the world kept spinning while I was frozen in the middle of my grief. I started playing travel softball after she passed, mostly just to escape the silence at home. At first, it was just something to do and something that kept my mind busy. But the more I played, the more I realized softball wasn’t just a distraction. It was the place where I started to piece myself back together. Even as softball helped me find a routine again, there was still a part of me that felt lost. No win or championship could ever fill the hole left behind when I lost my mom. And that’s when I realized I wasn’t going to get through it on my own strength, I needed God. Somewhere between the long car rides to tournaments with my dad and quiet prayers before games, I found Him, or maybe He found me. When I fully gave my heart to Christ, I realized that softball wasn’t just something I did, it was a gift. A gift He had placed in my life not only to help me heal, but to give me a purpose. I stopped playing for attention and I started playing for Him. Becoming an athlete in Christ changed the way I approached everything. I wasn’t just trying to fill the emptiness anymore; I was playing with peace, with gratitude, and with the understanding that win or lose, I was already loved. All the hours of practice, the failures, the growth, and the lessons eventually led me to something I never thought possible — I committed to play Division I softball. But for me, it’s not just about the title or the achievement; it’s about the journey it took to get here. It’s about the girl who was once broken and lost, learning to find strength again through the game she loves, and learning to trust in God’s plan even when it didn’t make sense. Softball and faith saved me. Every time I step onto the field, I carry my mom with me, and I play with one goal: to glorify the God who gave me the strength to keep going when I thought I couldn’t. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 A very common bible verse that isn’t just words to me — it’s the truth that carried me through my darkest days, and it’s the reason I still stand strong today. Losing my mom will always be the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but softball and my faith have helped shape me into who I am today. I know I carry my mom’s love with me every time I step onto the field, and I play for something so much bigger than myself — I play for God, for the people who believe in me, and for the little girl who thought she’d never smile again.

Softball has played a big role throughout my life, but especially throughout my high school career. Over the last 4 years it became so much more than a ball and a bat. I learned many lessons along the way that have shaped me into the person I have become. I’ve always been one of the better players on the STVM Varsity Softball team, but that didn’t mean much until I really learned what it takes to step up and become a leader. Softball has taught me how to put others before me, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me beyond high school. In addition, my faith has changed the way I look at the game. Through my school’s Irish Athletes for Christ Club, which I became a leader of during my junior year, I learned how to play for God and not just for myself. I used to focus on stats, records, and proving myself to the media, but now I see every game as an opportunity to honor Him and use the gifts He’s given me. Win or lose, that mindset has helped me stay “locked in” and thankful for every moment I get to step on a field. All the hours of practice, the failures, the growth, and the lessons eventually led me to something I never thought possible, I committed to play Division I softball. But for me, it’s not about the title or the achievement; it’s about the journey it took to get to this special moment. After losing my mom to breast cancer in 2017, everything in my life changed very quickly. I started playing travel softball after she passed, mostly just to escape the silence at home. At first, it was just something that kept my mind busy. But the more I played, the more I realized softball wasn’t just a distraction. It was the place where I started to piece myself back together and eventually I became very good. Somewhere between the car rides to tournaments and prayers before games, softball brought me closer to my biggest supporter, my father. My dad has always shown up for me, whether I was having a great game or striking out every at-bat. The support I’ve felt from him has taught me how important it is to be there for the people you love, just like a good teammate and leader would. It’s helped me appreciate him more and try to be the same kind of support for him in return. Softball and faith saved me. Every time I step onto the field, I carry my mom with me, and I play with one goal: to glorify the God who gave me the strength to keep going when I thought I couldn’t during tough times. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 A very common bible verse that isn’t just words to me. It's the truth that carried me through my darkest days, and it’s the reason I still stand strong today. Losing my mom will always be the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but softball and my faith have helped shape me into who I am today. I know I carry my mom’s love with me every time I step onto the field, and I play for something so much bigger than myself — I play for God. Softball has taught me about leadership, faith, hard work, and family, and I’m so thankful for everything the sport has given me, on and off the field.

Softball has played a big role throughout my life, but especially throughout my high school career. Over the last 4 years it became so much more than a ball and a bat. I learned many lessons along the way that have shaped me into the person I have become. I’ve always been one of the better players on the STVM Varsity Softball team, but that didn’t mean much until I really learned what it takes to step up and become a leader. Softball has taught me how to put others before me, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me beyond high school. In addition, my faith has changed the way I look at the game. Through my school’s Irish Athletes for Christ Club, which I became a leader of during my junior year, I learned how to play for God and not just for myself. I used to focus on stats, records, and proving myself to the media, but now I see every game as an opportunity to honor Him and use the gifts He’s given me. Win or lose, that mindset has helped me stay “locked in” and thankful for every moment I get to step on a field. All the hours of practice, the failures, the growth, and the lessons eventually led me to something I never thought possible, I committed to play Division I softball. But for me, it’s not about the title or the achievement; it’s about the journey it took to get to this special moment. After losing my mom to breast cancer in 2017, everything in my life changed very quickly. I started playing travel softball after she passed, mostly just to escape the silence at home. At first, it was just something that kept my mind busy. But the more I played, the more I realized softball wasn’t just a distraction. It was the place where I started to piece myself back together and eventually I became very good. Somewhere between the car rides to tournaments and prayers before games, softball brought me closer to my biggest supporter, my father. My dad has always shown up for me, whether I was having a great game or striking out every at-bat. The support I’ve felt from him has taught me how important it is to be there for the people you love, just like a good teammate and leader would. It’s helped me appreciate him more and try to be the same kind of support for him in return. Softball and faith saved me. Every time I step onto the field, I carry my mom with me, and I play with one goal: to glorify the God who gave me the strength to keep going when I thought I couldn’t during tough times. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 A very common bible verse that isn’t just words to me. It's the truth that carried me through my darkest days, and it’s the reason I still stand strong today. Losing my mom will always be the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but softball and my faith have helped shape me into who I am today. I know I carry my mom’s love with me every time I step onto the field, and I play for something so much bigger than myself — I play for God. Softball has taught me about leadership, faith, hard work, and family, and I’m so thankful for everything the sport has given me, on and off the field.

Some people find healing in time, others in talking — I found mine standing on a softball field, learning how to be strong again. When I lost my mom to breast cancer in 2017, everything in my life changed very quickly. It’s hard to explain the kind of emptiness that kind of loss leaves behind. One day you have your world, your safe place, and your biggest supporter — and the next, it’s just gone. I remember feeling like I was stuck, like the rest of the world kept spinning while I was frozen in the middle of my grief. I started playing travel softball after she passed, mostly just to escape the silence at home. At first, it was just something to do and something that kept my mind busy. But the more I played, the more I realized softball wasn’t just a distraction. It was the place where I started to piece myself back together. But the truth is, even as softball helped me find a routine again, there was still a part of me that felt lost. No win or championship could ever fill the hole left behind when I lost my mom. And that’s when I realized I wasn’t going to get through it on my own strength, I needed God. Somewhere between the long car rides to tournaments with my dad and quiet prayers before games, I found Him, or maybe He found me. When I fully gave my heart to Christ, I realized that softball wasn’t just something I did, it was a gift. A gift He had placed in my life not only to help me heal, but to give me a purpose. I stopped playing for attention, or awards, or stats, and I started playing for Him. Becoming an athlete in Christ changed the way I approached everything. I wasn’t just trying to fill the emptiness anymore; I was playing with peace, with gratitude, and with the understanding that win or lose, I was already loved. All the hours of practice, the failures, the growth, and the lessons eventually led me to something I never thought possible — I committed to play Division I softball. But for me, it’s not just about the title or the achievement; it’s about the journey it took to get here. It’s about the girl who was once broken and lost, learning to find strength again through the game she loves, and learning to trust in God’s plan even when it didn’t make sense. Softball and faith saved me. Every time I step onto the field, I carry my mom with me, and I play with one goal: to glorify the God who gave me the strength to keep going when I thought I couldn’t. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13 A very common bible verse that isn’t just words to me — it’s the truth that carried me through my darkest days, and it’s the reason I still stand strong today. Losing my mom will always be the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but softball and my faith have helped shape me into who I am today. I know I carry my mom’s love with me every time I step onto the field, and I play for something so much bigger than myself — I play for God, for the people who believe in me, and for the little girl who thought she’d never smile again.