Before I ever stepped in the classroom, I had already learned what commitment looked like- early mornings, late practices, and a family life built around sports. With three-sport varsity, and collegiate-athlete father and a mother who was a high school softball coach, I developed a mindset from a very young age that sports are a very important part in a childhood and life. From as long as I can remember my days were filled with lessons, practices and working in my backyard. As I got older I began to struggle with being student-athlete. It was difficult missing friends' parties, off-weekends, and even vacations. I often had to catch up on homework and cramming in the car late at night after 2-hour practices. this lifestyle can easily overwhelm a young-child or teenager. However, through these challenges, I learned to train being a student athlete from a young age, which led to a strong foundation for time management. The discipline I developed as an athlete carried into the classroom, where I learned to manage my time, stay organized , and push through academic challenges a]even when I felt exhausted. Looking back on my athletic career, I have no regrets spending my extra time working on improving my talent. My freshman year was spent missing so much school, traveling all around the state. My team and I went spent an extra 4-5 weeks than our regular season, going into our summer, because we kept working as hard as we could to win playoffs. We sacrificed our semester finals, and our grades in order to put all effort into winning and it paid off. We played on a division one softball field for our Valley Championship Game, we practiced for weeks leading up to it and pushed all the way until the last pitch. We ended up losing by 2 runs, but our team grew; comforting each other in the loss. No matter the out come we were so proud of how we played, proud of coming all this way. No regrets what so ever. The following year, with an entirely new team, we stayed together and were the first team to ever in school history to win a League championship. Once again fighting until the last pitch paid off. Being a part of a team has taught me that success is not individual-it comes from trust, communication, and putting others before yourself. Being a student-athlete has shaped me into someone who leads with dedication, values teamwork, and grows through resilience in and out of the classroom. as a three-year ASB officer, I have learned to lead my peers while also listening and learning from those around me. These experiences have pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone, expand my perspective and continuing to grow as both a student and leader.

Kindness in action means turning empathy into something real—choosing to show up for others through support, encouragement, or understanding when it matters most. Kindness in action is more than just good intentions; it is the decision to step in, offer support, and make someone feel seen and valued, especially during difficult moments. After losing our Valley Championship game by just two runs, emotions were high. We had spent months preparing, sacrificing time, energy, and even parts of our personal lives for that moment. When the final pitch was thrown, it felt like everything had slipped away. Instead of walking away frustrated, I focused on my teammates. Some were in tears, others sat silently trying to process the loss. I made it a priority to go from player to supporter—checking in on my teammates, offering encouragement, and reminding them how far we had come. In that moment, kindness wasn’t about big gestures, but about being present. That experience taught me that kindness can be most powerful during difficult moments. It has shaped how I show up for others, not only in sports but in my everyday life. Whether in the classroom or as an ASB officer, I strive to create an environment where people feel supported, valued, and not alone. Outside of school, I have also created connection by hosting team bonding activities at my house. Whether it was small get-togethers or team hangouts, I made an effort to invite everyone and create a space where people felt comfortable and included. As both a student-athlete and a three-year ASB officer, I have learned the importance of creating connection within a community. In high school, it is easy for students to feel divided—by friend groups, activities, or social pressures. I have made it a goal to help bridge those gaps. Through ASB, I have helped organize events that encourage school spirit and participation, creating opportunities for students from different backgrounds to come together. Whether it was planning school activities or simply reaching out to include others, I focused on making people feel seen and valued. On my team, connection was just as important. Building trust and supporting one another allowed us to grow stronger, both as athletes and individuals. I learned that connection is not something that happens automatically—it requires effort, empathy, and leadership.By creating inclusive environments in both athletics and leadership, I have helped foster a sense of belonging within my school. I will continue to carry these values forward, knowing that strong communities are built through connection.