As a past star runner on the track team, I can tell you that running was the easiest part. The hardest part that no one tells you about is being mentally strong. Having mental strength is what will get you through every practice, and it's what sets you apart from your teammates as a leader. Everyone on the team looked up to me in some kind of way whether it was my positive attitude, my drive, or my actual skill on the track. The ugly truth I never wanted to face was that being a runner was never my passion, but a sacrifice I thought I had to make. See, I thought it would be better to focus on performing my best in something I'm already good at, rather than trying to achieve a dream I'm not good at, at all . It was finally time to think divergently and I was ready for that change. Telling my coach was the easy part, but what would my teammates think? It took a mental toll on me because I knew how much the team looked up to me, but how much longer could I pretend that I loved track? I could only hope they wouldn't be too mad, but I knew that no matter how mad they were they would put themselves in my shoes and understand. I was face to face with adversity, and having to deal with it was the most difficult part of my junior year. I knew that quitting would feel like being shunned, but once it was over I felt so light. It was like jumping on the bed as a little girl, or coming home to a clean room. I'd see my teammates and they would crack a few jokes here and there about me getting back on the team, or replacing the track manager, but I was just so relieved that they could take everything in and have a laugh. It was refreshing, and it made me remember how great and upstanding my teammates really are.
As a known leader, graphic artist and rising senior on campus I'm continuously showcasing my abilities, already challenging the status quo and expressing my dreams and visions to help the people around me. Facing adversity has taught me that you're going to disappoint people, you're going to make mistakes, and you're going to upset people. But overcoming adversity has taught me to be true to myself, and to rise above it all. I will never forget where I came from and how my community has treated me, so to give back to my community in the future I will use my platform to advocate for mental health programs, homeless shelters, and food drives. I want to be able to inspire not only adults but also children to help out where they can in their communities. I am extremely passionate, and I am incredibly boundless. Through my passion and unique qualities I hope to inspire more and more people to feed off my positive energy. Because, if it only takes one pebble to start a ripple in a puddle, I can only imagine what a boulder can do to an ocean.