Why do we pay so much attention to visible wounds—the broken legs and injured hands—while the invisible scars of mental health remain overlooked? This summer, I’ve delved into what not to write about, specifically steering clear of the "sports injury/hero story." Yet, I’ve realized that while physical injuries mend, the breakdown of mental health and self-image can be a lifelong struggle, which is ignored when it comes to athletes. Throughout my time as a football player and a person, I have understood that there are ups and downs to everything. The ups are few and far between when it comes to Jamestown football, but the downs are where I am going to focus. As a freshman, like everyone else, I showed up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed excited for my high school journey to start. When I joined the football team, it was an immediate uphill battle. Specifically, from my offensive line coach, who told me on the third day that I would never amount to anything in the sport of football. From that day on, I kept my head down and worked, but for him, it never seemed good enough. The next year we got a new head coach and kept most of the assistants from last year. Sophomore year I felt that everything was going to change, but to my despair, nothing changed, I was still told I wasn’t good enough and put down by older players and coaches. Junior year was by far the worst. Throughout every practice, you could run out of fingers on the number of times I had been criticized or manipulated into thinking I was less than and that I would lose my spot even though I started every game. After every game I would get into the car with my parents and break down, telling them I’m sick of this sport, but nevertheless the next week I would show back up to practice and take the same abuse over and over. A pivotal moment occurred during one practice when I was publicly shamed for stretching differently. The coach and captain humiliated me in front of the team. Despite my humiliation, I was manipulated into continuing through the season, perpetuating the cycle of emotional abuse. This experience profoundly affected me, leaving me to question my self-worth and love for the sport. The 5-year-old who dreamed of playing professional football in me died along this path. His dreams, his confidence that he could make it there, but specifically his love for this game. After 12 years, I no longer love the game. I’ve struggled with self-image and mental health. advocating for awareness, especially for male athletes. On the field, I faced constant breakdowns. Yet, despite our new coach, the love for the game hasn’t returned. I don’t know why I kept going, but I couldn’t quit. I was addicted to the thrill of the field and the adrenaline rush I got every time I hit the guy across from me. This part of my life has helped me grow into a better person; I value personal relationships more and always try to make sure my friends know that I care about them no matter what. In public, I have wanted to make sure that I am a positive part of people’s days through making jokes, smiling, and uplifting them. I share all these growths because they are all ways that I have changed my tough situation into a way I can help people. Sharing this isn’t a sympathy essay that I want you to cry for me; it is a true, raw story about my experience to raise awareness for people who don’t talk about their problems. I have never let this experience affect who I am as a person or how I act; I still was involved in other activities and thoroughly participated in classroom discussions while bringing joy to my teachers and classmates. In high school, there are a lot of pivotal people who shape who you are going to be. Junior year I took an AP psychology class and a sociology class with the same teacher. Throughout the year she helped me figure out what I was good at and what I could do with those skills. Through many aptitude tests and her getting to know me, she recommended public relations. Public relations would allow me to use my interpersonal skills and my strong ability of public speaking to help convince people of what I was advertising. Another reason I chose public relations is because since I was young, I have had the innate ability to persuade people of things and be able to sell products to the public. In middle school, we had a fundraiser for football where we would walk around public areas and ask people to donate what they could so we could get new equipment. In one and a half hours I had raised over $1500 for the team. I have always been a businessperson. I just had never found what part of business aligned with what I wanted to do until I discovered public relations. I am by far the proudest of my time coaching for the flag football league. That opportunity gave me the chance to learn and use my leadership skills, learn responsibility, and talk to adults when sending out the weekly schedule and game times. It was the most humbling because I got to coach middle school as well as the K-2 teams. The middle schoolers were focused on winning and required me to make sure that the kids were focused and not messing around. The K-2 was my favorite, though, because it allowed me to share my knowledge of football and allowed me to connect and teach younger generations the game that I had loved so much.

One of the most meaningful relationships in my life is the one I have with my father. Over the years, he has shaped the way I see myself, the way I treat others, and the way I approach leadership. Our relationship has been built through everyday moments, but especially through the conversations we have after my football games. Those talks have stayed with me more than any single win or loss, because they reflect the values he has worked to instill in me: discipline, respect, humility, and confidence. After every game, whether I played well or struggled, my father was always there to talk with me. He never focused only on the scoreboard or statistics. Instead, he focused on effort, attitude, and growth. Even when I was hard on myself or doubted my performance, he consistently believed in me more than I believed in myself. That steady support became something I learned to rely on. Over time, I realized that his confidence in me was not just encouragement—it was a lesson in how to carry myself with self-belief, even in difficult moments. One of the most important things my father taught me was how to be a gentleman and a man of character. He emphasized respect in every situation, whether it was toward teammates, coaches, opponents, or strangers. Because of how I was raised, I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about treating people the right way even when no one is watching. That lesson has stayed with me in every environment I’ve been part of, from the football field to my fraternity to my volunteer work. Football became one of the strongest bridges in our relationship. Playing the sport gave us a shared language, but my father used it as a way to teach life lessons. Through those post-game conversations, I learned accountability and resilience. If I made a mistake on the field, he helped me understand it without tearing me down. If I succeeded, he reminded me to stay grounded. Those moments taught me that growth comes from reflection, not perfection. They also taught me how to handle feedback and use it as a tool for improvement rather than criticism. As I got older and stepped into leadership roles, I began to realize how much my father had influenced the way I interact with others. Now, as the Recruitment Chair for my fraternity, I see his lessons in action every day. I try to create the same kind of environment he created for me—one where people feel valued, supported, and respected. Whether I am meeting potential new members or working with my brothers, I make a conscious effort to listen first, lead with integrity, and treat everyone with the same level of respect regardless of background or status. My father also shaped my understanding of service and community. Because he modeled consistency and care in how he treated people, I learned to carry those values into my own volunteer work. Whether I was working with OneChild Center for Autism or helping with 757 Next Level Flag Football, I approached every experience with patience, empathy, and a desire to uplift others. Seeing the impact of small acts of encouragement on others reminded me of how my father impacted me through simple but meaningful conversations. Today, my relationship with my father continues to influence how I build connections with others. I approach relationships with honesty, respect, and genuine interest in people’s growth. I’ve learned that strong leadership is rooted in how you make people feel and how consistently you show up for them. My father taught me that being a leader starts with being a good person first. Ultimately, the relationship I have with my father has given me a foundation that I carry into every part of my life. It has shaped my identity, strengthened my confidence, and guided the way I lead and connect with others. More than anything, it has shown me that the most powerful influence you can have on someone is believing in them—and teaching them to believe in themselves as well.

Growing up, I always knew I wanted a career that allowed me to connect with people and make an impact. That passion led me to pursue majors in Acting and Public Relations, two fields centered around communication, creativity, and understanding others. Whether my future takes me to a stage like Saturday Night Live or into community relations and nonprofit work, my goal is the same: to use my voice and personality to positively influence the people around me. Some of the most important experiences in my life have come from leadership and service. As the Recruitment Chair for my fraternity, I have learned how to build relationships, communicate effectively, and create an environment where others feel welcomed and valued. Recruiting is not just about bringing in new members; it is about creating a sense of belonging and helping people feel connected to something bigger than themselves. This role has strengthened my confidence, leadership abilities, and communication skills, all of which I know will help me in both acting and public relations. Athletics have also played a major role in shaping who I am. Playing football taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, while coaching flag football showed me the importance of mentorship and patience. Coaching younger athletes allowed me to become a role model and showed me how meaningful encouragement can be. Seeing players improve not only in skill but also in confidence reminded me how much influence positive leadership can have on others. One of the experiences that impacted me most was volunteering with OneChild Center for Autism. Working with children who are differently abled gave me a new perspective on compassion, patience, and community. I realized that making a difference does not always require grand gestures; sometimes the smallest acts of kindness and support can have the biggest impact. Through this experience, I learned the value of creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels respected and understood. It strengthened my desire to continue working in nonprofit and community-focused environments throughout my life. Outside of school, my biggest passions are acting and cooking. Acting allows me to express creativity, tell stories, and connect emotionally with audiences. I love the idea that performance can make people laugh, think, or feel understood. Cooking, on the other hand, gives me another way to connect with people. Sharing food with others creates comfort and brings people together, much like storytelling does through acting. The people who motivate me most are my family. They have always encouraged me to pursue my goals while staying grounded and focused on helping others. Their support has inspired me to work hard, stay resilient, and use my opportunities to make a positive impact on my community. No matter where my future career takes me, I want to continue creating connections, uplifting others, and using my experiences to make people feel seen and valued.

I have been playing football since I was five years old, and it has been a central part of my life ever since. Most of my childhood memories, including birthday parties and gatherings with friends, revolved around my passion for the game. Football has not only been a source of joy but has also instilled in me valuable leadership skills and forged a strong connection with my dad, who has been my biggest supporter. Together, we’ve shared countless moments on the field, whether playing catch in the backyard or watching games on television. Through football, I have learned the importance of resilience and hard work. Every experience, both good and bad, has presented me with a learning opportunity, teaching me to embrace challenges and grow from them. My love for football has led me to become involved in my community in meaningful ways. I have played competitively and also taken on the role of coaching younger generations of players, which has been incredibly rewarding. Coaching K-2 flag football has been one of my favorite experiences. Working with such young children is always entertaining, as they are filled with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Teaching them the basics of the game is a joy, watching them run wildly around the field, often in the wrong direction, and seeing them make new friends is heartwarming. It’s about more than just football; it’s about showing them the joy of teamwork and the importance of camaraderie. In contrast, coaching middle school flag football presents a different set of challenges and rewards. At this age, the kids are more competitive, and they truly want to improve their skills. Here, I focus not just on techniques but also on instilling good sportsmanship. It is essential to me that they learn how to be respectful competitors and become better members of our community. Teaching them to value integrity and teamwork over winning is something I strive to instill in every practice and game. Looking towards the future, I am excited about the prospect of continuing to coach youth football. It fills me with joy to witness kids develop a passion for the game, much like I did when I was their age. I am eager to help shape their understanding of a sport I have dedicated my life to. Seeing their willingness to learn and their ability to replicate the techniques I teach only encourages me to give back even more to the sport that has given me so much. Football is not just a game; it is a powerful way to influence young lives positively.