Right now to be a female wrestler is special, especially in Pennsylvania, which just recently sanctioned female wrestling as a high school sport. And it is even more exciting to represent McCaskey as the first female high school team in Pennsylvania. Along with being a state medalist and a regional medalist in three different styles of wrestling, I am also an advocate. Invited to participate in the Wrestle Like A Girl Congressional Caucus, I represented Pennsylvania by speaking with legislators on Capitol Hill about sanctioning the sport and providing equitable opportunities to female athletes. This past February I was invited to Harrisburg Capitol to attend a press conference where Senator Scott Martin congratulated Pennsylvania high schools for meeting PIAA’s sanctioning requirements of 100 teams. Getting to meet and talk to Senator Martin and Bob Lombardi, the executive director of PIAA, about the opportunities this sport provides to women was unforgettable. This past summer, I was given an incredible opportunity by being selected to compete on two national wrestling teams. My first tournament was in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My last match of the first day was a battle that ended in a completely torn UCL, LUCL, and fracture. After the trainer relocated my elbow, I stood up and expected to finish my match. Instead, I was escorted to the trainer’s booth as I watched my opponent's hand go up in the air for injury default. I ended up having to get a complicated, seven-hour surgery that threatened my wrestling career. Even though this is a large setback--this injury has revealed to me how much I value wrestling. I remained active on McCaskey’s wrestling team as team captain, assisting in exercises and drills. I helped Coach and stuck with my teammates the entire season. Even after the uncertainty of possibly losing motion in my arm and understanding the timeline of the recovery, giving up on my goal of wrestling collegiately never crossed my mind. My goal of attending the Coast Guard Academy became threatened too. I was also the only person who could decide whether this injury was going to be life-altering and change my future goals and plans. I worked so hard at being competitive physically and academically for so long, and despite this setback, I decided I was not going to compromise on my goals now. I had a team of people who helped me through this process in different ways; however, I primarily turned to myself, for I was the only person truly accountable for my progress. It was up to me to properly care for my elbow after surgery. It was up to me to work harder in the classes I missed for physical therapy. I created an ‘Independent Fitness Class’ with my guidance counselor to grant me access to the fitness center during school day to continue to train. I devoted myself to my recovery. By religiously attending appointments and prioritizing my exercises, I have been able to gain full strength and motion back. This was proof to me that consistency and dedication can go a long way. This injury proved that I can face and triumph over adversity. This spring, I earned an appointment at the United States Coast Guard Academy. I would be planning to use this scholarship towards items such as my uniform deposit and athletics activities fund. Wrestling has instilled grit and perseverance in me. Wrestling has made me confident and ready to face the challenges I will encounter during boot camp and during my years of service. Wrestling has prepared me to serve my country.

Habana azules Yo siempre me despertaba al olor de carne y maduros Pero no hoy Yo siempre jugaba en la calle con mis amigos antes de la escuela Pero no hoy El aire no era dulce y simple esta mañana; es duro y real No oigo música de la cocina Celia Cruz, Polo Montanez y Benne More tampoco son parte de mi rutina por la mañana Yo vi maletas en la sala de estar “Mamá, ¿qué es eso?” “Rápido, vamos” Nosotros estábamos en el carro Mi tia y tio nos despidieron Mama dijo “volveremos” Pero yo sabía que no era verdad Miré a mi tío y tía y dije “adiós” Las manos grandes de mi tío le hizo parecer pequeña su taza de café Extrañaría sus historias En las mañanas y noches nos sentamos en el porche Dependiendo de la hora él tenía una taza de café o ron Pero él siempre tenía un cigarrillo grande Hablábamos por horas Extrañaría esos momentos Entonces mi tía Era difícil mirarla, Ella lloró Ella nunca lloraba Recuerdo que ella me enseñó jugar a domino Me enseñó los poemas de José Martí Ella siempre estaba un poco borracha y en las noches y cantaba sobre la revolución Extrañaría esos momentos No me quería ir Mis amigos corrieron al lado del carro “Asere que bola?” Pero yo no sabía Yo mentí: “Vamos a vivir en el campo” Nosotros nos vamos Adiós mi casa Adiós amigos Adiós vedado Adiós Habana Adiós Cuba Adiós mi familia Hello America