Hi, My name is Kaiya Kraner and for the past nine years softball has been more than a sport to me, it has been a constant source of strength, growth, and purpose. From T-ball to rookie ball and now to travel fastpitch and high school it has shaped who I am, on and off the field. I play travel for GTS and attend Waukesha West High School where I competed on varsity for four years. Next year I plan on continuing my softball career at Edgewood University in Madison, WI. The biggest impact softball has had on my life became clear in 2021, when my family was affected by the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy. My dad, who had been my coach for as long as I can remember, was hit by the car that drove through the parade and had to relearn how to walk. He was fortunate enough to recover after a month of relearning how to walk, but this was the time I learned softball is more than a game. The accident shifted my perspective, it made me realize life can change in an instant, and to treat each day as a gift. You don't “have” to go to practice you “get” to, this has made me fall in love with the sport even more. Every practice, every lift, every game became a blessing and a privilege not an obligation. Softball has taught me so many lessons on my journey; how to handle pressure, how to stay focused when life feels overwhelming, and never take what you have for granted. Right now, my softball career is stronger than ever. I competed for GTS during the travel season and played on varsity all four years of high school, earning the chance to step into a leadership role as a captain my junior year. Being a captain has taught me that leadership isn’t about being the most talented or being the loudest girl in the dugout. It’s about consistency and showing up for others. We play a game where you're seen as an allstar when you fail 70% of the time. Learning how to overcome failure with confidence and trust in myself and my teammates is what shaped me to be the person I am today. Softball made me understand that everyone brings their own challenges onto the field every day but how you choose to handle them is what sets you apart. Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue my softball career at Edgewood university. Everyday I look to compete on the field, becoming 1% better. I'm grateful for every opportunity and I am blessed with how lucky I am to call softball my sport. I want to return to softball what it has given to me and leave an impact. I want to be remembered as the teammate who always had a smile on her face and would pick you up after an error. I want to be remembered as the captian who had full confidence in you and not set a limit on your abilities. No matter where softball takes me, it has given me strength, confidence, and direction in life, and I am driven to carry those lessons forward as I take the next step in my journey.