I was born into a community that is built upon helping and supporting each other. With this, I have grown up watching adults around me give back to the community. This taught me that providing services to others not only helps them but also allows them to grow, and inspired me to find ways how I could give back. I implement this by giving my time at my local Food Pantry where I get to assist and give back to my community by boxing meal plans. Moreover, I tutor middle school and high school students at my school in various subjects for a couple of hours every week. I enjoy this opportunity because I get to give back to those younger than me who are struggling in hopes that they will do the same for others in years to come. My favorite part of this activity is having the students come to me and tell me about their achievements after we have worked together! In addition to this, I work in a mentoring program with middle school students at my school. Here, I get to build relationships with other students who are like me: quiet and reserved but stored with so much creativity. Another step I have taken to be more involved is becoming the lead editor of my school's yearbook. I get to work alongside other members, interact with the student community, and reach out to the local business in my area. It has allowed me to branch out more while getting to use my creative instincts. I enjoy these opportunities and they've changed who I am. From these experiences, I have built better relationships with members of my community, become more aware of who I am and my values, and have found joy in being able to help others. My community is small, so everyone knows everyone, meaning that when someone needs help, there is someone else there to step up. Growing up in this type of environment, I have realized that a big part of who I am is a leader and a helper. With this, I have found I enjoy serving others with whatever it may be that they need aid in. I find happiness in my life and I see how I have impacted someone else with my service. My community has changed me from the kid who was afraid to step up and help others, to the young adult who jumps at the opportunity.

Athletics in my life has shaped me to be who I am today. Through the sport of softball, I have learned the qualities of being an effective leader, communication through a team, and working with others for an end goal. I have found myself more confident, assertive, determined, and cooperative over the years of playing. I have found myself taking the role of a leader, both vocally and by example, on my high school and travel ball teams. As a pitcher, many look to me to take control of the game and set the tone. This can be mentally challenging, but it is something I have had to overcome through the years and has only benefitted me. In the dugout and on the field, I am the loudest, cheering on my teammates, and providing calls for our next play or move. My participation in this sport has allowed me to see people who try to lead in the wrong way and others who are effective leaders. I wanted to be an effective leader when I started playing, and I feel that I have accomplished this, though I look forward to learning more from other leaders as I go on to play in college. Through cross country, I have also learned the importance and beauty of self-drive and having the will to go on even when it is hard. Cross country is a sport that not only physically but mentally pushes you to go on and be better each time. Many times during practices or meets, I would think to myself "It would be so much easier if we just stopped to walk." Yet, to reach my goals, I knew that I would need to push myself further to accomplish anything. It is a hard thing to be able to do, but everything worthwhile is hard. The feeling of self-pride when I reach my goals at the end of a race, knowing I pushed myself to keep going, is the best feeling I have experienced. Relationships are the most important thing in life. My participation in athletics has led me to the best relationships I have in my life, allowing me to surround myself with people who are good to me. Not only have I found some of my best and closest friends through experiences as teammates, but I have also built strong relationships with coaches. Many of the coaches I have had have changed my life in so many ways: teaching valuable lessons, believing in me and providing another figure in my life that I can go to with anything. In contrast, I have also had coaches who haven't believed in me or allowed me to grow. These coaches taught me a valuable lesson that not everyone around you is going to be on your side, and yet you can still grow by focusing on everything else that you have. Sports have defined my life and given me everything I need to grow. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned, the people I have met, and the experiences I have had. I look forward to continuing with a degree in sports management and design to surround myself with people who have an interest in sports as much as I do and build strong relationships with them!

The characteristic I value in myself most is the care I have for others. Assisting others and giving them my extra time is something I find to be an important part of who I am. On top of being a student athlete, I volunteer my time outside of school and practice to my local organizations. I assist at my local church food pantry, packaging meal boxes for families in need. I also have participated in the construction of a new house with a group from the Champaign County Habitat for Humanity program. I really enjoyed this experience after I saw the excitement on the faces of the future house owners when they saw the progress! I give a lot of my time after school to the younger classes below me as well. My school counselor has set up a program for students like I to bond with middle school students who are usually going through difficult times during school. This experience is very joyful for me as I get to spend time with someone who may look up to me and possibly make a positive impact on their lives! I also tutor middle school students from my town in various class subjects! I believe that this quality will benefit me in my life as I want to pursue a career that will allow me to aid others in their lives. Having a quality that is passionate about helping others would make any career that allows me to do this much more enjoyable! I value this characteristic and can’t wait to see what I do with it in my future!