Playing the sport field hockey while also balancing school and life has allowed me to become a stronger leader and a harder worker in the world of male dominance. It has been proven that when a woman plays a sport it helps her grow self-confidence, teamwork skills, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and leadership skills. In a very male dominated world it is important for women to have these skills because it can help challenge the typical gender stereotypes and show that women can excel in many different fields, not just the feminine ones. Women who play sports are more equipped and more confident to take on a leadership role in their workplace, allowing them to take charge and not let men boss them around. This role sports play in a woman’s life is extremely important because the more women who become stronger leaders on the field will grow to become even stronger leaders in the workplace helping break gender stereotypes. In my personal experience taking charge on the field has helped me take charge in many other situations. On the field hockey team I have been elected captain twice but I didn’t need the title of captain to help push me as a leader. Being able to gather a group of players to fight for the same goals of winning a game, scoring a goal, defending a corner, or even connecting passes is such a valuable skill off the field as well. With more people looking up to me as a mentor and a leader my self-confidence grew and allowed me to be a leader even when I didn’t know the people I was working with. Additionally, playing sports has pushed me to become a harder worker. On my club team I have faced adversity due to the school I go to. Public school teams aren’t viewed as being as strong as private school teams and many times those who go to public school are overlooked. In order to overcome this adversity I pushed myself off the field and trained when nobody was watching. Practicing skills, going on runs, and working on my shot to help myself get moved up to a better team, and in the end it paid off. This experience has shown me that if you aren't acknowledged for the skills you already have, don't give up on yourself and instead work harder than those around you, especially when nobody is watching, to make yourself standout. Balancing both a sport and school has strengthened both of these skills. Being a student athlete allows you to push yourself in the classroom and on a field while also working under stressful situations. Throughout my time as a student athlete I have had to study for hard exams or complete a challenging assignment all while going to practices or games after school. This has not only helped me improve my time management but also learn how to manage multiple tasks at once in high pressure situations. The two skills of leadership and hard work have really pushed me to become a stronger woman in the world of male dominance. The valuable lessons both skills have taught me will allow me to take charge in situations, even if I don’t know the people I am working with, and allow me to work harder than those around me instead of giving up after the first try or if someone doesn’t recognize the work I put in the first time.

My name is Brooke Willey, and I will be graduating from North Oldham High School in 2025. In the fall, I will be attending Babson College to earn a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in accounting and finance. How did I choose a college nearly 1,000 miles from home? Field hockey. After moving to Kentucky from Massachusetts, I began playing field hockey. I instantly fell in love with the game as it allowed me to be an ambitious leader and make friends. After playing for three years, I decided to pursue my passion at the collegiate level, so I joined a club team to further my skill level and prepare me for playing in college. Our team traveled to tournaments in Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio regularly. Besides playing field hockey at an advanced level, I got to travel the US and explore the outdoors in areas I had never seen. Plus, the more time I spent on the playing fields and at parks during our travels, the more I came to realize how spending time outdoors influenced my perspective and mood. It also became the place where I could strive for ambitious goals and pursue my passions. Some of my favorite outdoor activities, such as reading in a park, going on a hike, relaxing on the beach, or running a trail, help me relax and reset. One of my most memorable outdoor experiences occurred while snorkeling in the Bahamas. I had never seen water as crystal clear blue or coral reef as vibrantly colored. It was an amazing, awe-inspiring natural experience, one that introduced me to life in nature vastly different from life on land. I underwent another formidable outdoor experience when visiting the Grand Canyon. Are there words that can truly capture the essence of wonder when first glimpsing the canyon’s majestic beauty? As I hiked the canyon, I absorbed the grandeur of nature and felt a peacefulness that was unlike my other experiences outdoors. While running the field hockey turf, I feel powerful and in control; while exploring life in nature’s waters, I’m filled with curiosity; while surveying the canyon’s majesty, I feel insignificant yet peaceful. Nature’s diversity is nothing less than spectacular. After these experiences, I’m excited to explore more of what the great outdoors has to offer. Although traveling to new places gives me the opportunity to explore aspects of the outdoors, a simple walk or run in my neighborhood allows me to connect with the outdoors, too. Life outside is like a built-in oasis, a place to relax when life inside becomes stressful. After traveling to more locations for field hockey tournaments or college campuses for collegiate visits than I could count, I decided that Babson’s environment and academics fit me best. Babson’s location couldn’t be more perfect: it’s surrounded by acres of trees and spectacular spring and fall foliage, yet it’s only a 30-minute train ride from Boston. Furthermore, Babson encourages its students to participate in its study abroad program, allowing me to travel and explore even more places. Additionally, Babson is recognized as the best school for entrepreneurship in the US. As a student at Babson’s College of Business, I’ll grow my leadership skills and be challenged among other entrepreneurs in a competitive environment. While I am beyond excited for what the future holds at Babson, I realize traveling to Boston for internships, attending rigorous academic classes, and adjusting to life away from home can be stressful. However, I know where to turn when I need a space to pause, an environment that allows me to reset: the outdoors.