How Athletics Have Shaped Me for the Better I walked into my first day of fifth grade nervous as always, but spotting my friends at recess quickly calmed me down. As I approached, I heard them laughing and talking about running, and I soon discovered they had all joined the elementary cross-country team. I had grown up playing every sport I could, softball, basketball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball, but it had never crossed my mind that running itself could be a sport. After weeks of hearing how much fun they were having, I decided to join the next year to spend more time with them. Once again nervous, I walked into my first sixth-grade practice not knowing what to expect, but I quickly found myself enjoying the time with my friends more than worrying about how sore, tired, or out of shape I felt. Still, it was frustrating to realize that while my friends were fast, I wasn’t, and after two years, I chose not to run in eighth grade. Despite all that, cross-country has given me some of the best memories of my life. It has taught me resilience and determination, even through the tough times. It has even helped me connect with so many people. I´ve spent hours talking and hearing stories while I waited for my race times. But what I most lacked was the mental aspect of sports. Shortly after deciding not to run again for that reason, I was too embarrassed to tell people why. I knew that the reason I quit was so out of character for me; I had always considered myself hardworking. So letting people know I quit because I wasn´t good enough, wasn´t good enough for me. That is when I turned to volleyball and tennis. I knew I had to make it a goal to fix my mindset, and they have tested me mentally so many times, but as of late, I have realized it was so good for me. They have given me so much self-discipline and helped me work on my communication and teamwork with others on and off the courts. They have even motivated me to be a better person for my community. I try to make a positive impact on our community's reputation by simply being a good person. And when people talk about me playing sports, I want them to say how genuine a human being I was. Now I would say that I've only had good times in each sport, but that would be a complete lie. I've spent hours crying and contemplating whether it was even worth continuing to play sports in general. But I have also spent so many hours realizing that sports are what I need and like every other kid in our community, are an escape. We all come together to get away from life for a while, and I think that is the most special part about sports on a Reservation. We all need each other, whether we like it or not. In the end, my experiences in cross country, volleyball, and tennis have shaped me into a stronger and more determined person. I’ve learned that true strength comes from overcoming self-doubt and pushing through challenges, even when it’s difficult. Sports have become more than just an activity; they are my outlet and my connection to others. In my community, especially on the reservation, sports bring us together and remind us that we are never alone. Because of this, I now see my struggles not as failures, but as important steps in my growth.