I have always been an active girl, I love sports, food, music, and dance. From a young age, I have always loved helping people. The first time I ever volunteered was at my church, I was in the 3rd grade and I was an altar server. Every Sunday, I would go to church early to prepare for mass and assist our priest with whatever he needed. I realized that gaining that experience was essential for me to support my church and deepen my relationship with God. I was able to altar serve until COVID hit and we weren't allowed to go to church and they had stopped the altar serving program. One year, I had the opportunity to wrap Christmas presents and make Christmas cards at the St.Elizabeth's homeless shelter with my family. This opened my eyes to the sad reality of homelessness that we tend to forget about. All of my volunteer experiences have given me the chance to connect and help the people around me. In 2021 when sports were slowly starting up again after COVID. I decided to volunteer as a referee for my local sports organizations. I started as a referee for kids soccer, every Sunday I had the chance to referee soccer games in the afternoon which was one of my favorite volunteer experiences. I loved being able to teach sportsmanship and rules to kids I knew from around my area. It allowed me to connect with the children in my community and work towards being a positive role model for them. I decided to take on the role of a softball umpire during the summer, and I really enjoyed it. Softball is my favorite sport, it was especially meaningful to umpire in the same little league where I had played as a child. I've been playing sports for as long as I can remember, starting when I was just learning to run. Throughout my life, I've participated in basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, softball, and even wrestling. While I've enjoyed many of these activities, softball stands out as my absolute favorite. There's nothing that compares to the adrenaline of making a diving catch or hitting a home run. Above all, I'm truly grateful for the friendships and connections I've made through all the sports I've played over the years. I have had many passions in life but one that I love is animals. This last year I decided to become a volunteer at Espanola Humane and it has been an experience, to say the least. I can help give these animals the love and connection they need. I especially love the dogs, they are so much fun to take on walks and play with. They can be a handful at times but it is nothing I mind. I have been able to make connections at the animal shelter and make new friends. One of my favorite activities is building new connections and nurturing relationships. I've always been a social person, driven by a genuine passion for what I do. My greatest passion is making a positive difference in someone’s life, and because of this, I have decided to study neuropsychology in my college years. My goal is to become a certified neuropsychologist to help children in need, including those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or autism. I hope that I've left a positive mark everywhere I've been and I hope I can continue to do that wherever I go.

Throughout my life sports have been more than just an activity for me, they have shaped who I am today. From an early age, I learned to balance the demands of being a dedicated student and a committed athlete. Growing up, sports were not just an activity; they were a way of life. As a student-athlete, I developed discipline, perseverance, and time management skills. All qualities that have driven my success both in the classroom and in my sports. There were times when the pressure felt overwhelming, and I seriously considered quitting. My parents were always there to remind me of the commitments I had made not only to my team but also to myself. The challenges and rewards of juggling academics with athletic training have made me a resilient individual who strives for excellence in every aspect of life. I’ve learned that not everything is handed to you; you have to work for what you want. The sports I participated in were always competitive, and I knew that if I wanted to excel, I would have to put in the effort. This mindset also pushed me to work hard in school so that I could grasp what I was trying to learn. I understood that the hard work I invested in now would benefit me in the future. Once I committed to something, I made it a point to see it through to the end. I knew that once the season started, quitting was not an option. This unwavering commitment taught me to persevere through tough times. Even though challenges arose, I knew that they wouldn't last forever. At times, I struggled to feel like I belonged, especially when playing alongside older girls. However, I never allowed that discomfort to deter me. This experience helped me learn how to manage pressure, especially in academic settings like tests and quizzes. I realized that diligent studying would prepare me for success on the tests, alleviating any anxiety about the material. While individual achievement is rewarding, being part of a team has taught me the value of collaboration, communication, and trust. Whether I am working alongside teammates or supporting them through personal struggles, I have developed a deep appreciation for the strength that comes from working together toward a common goal. Being a student-athlete has fostered a growth mindset in both my academics and athletics. There is always room for improvement. My commitment to continual development whether it’s through refining my athletic skills or expanding my knowledge has turned into a passion for self-improvement. I am forever grateful for the health and determination that have enabled me to navigate the challenges of being a student-athlete.

I didn’t grow up as an anxious person; I was very talkative and social. I didn’t stress about things that were out of my control. My parents were extremely supportive of me and everything I did, providing me with everything I needed to succeed in life. I had a close group of friends and many other friends from the sports I participated in. I loved spending time with them at school and during games. My mom never really let me go out to the movies or the mall with my friends, but that didn’t bother me in my earlier years because I knew she would gradually allow me more freedom as I got older. As I grew up and reached the age of 16, something inside me changed. I started to view the world in a more negative light. I began to worry about things I would never have given a second thought to before. I became very insecure about myself and who I was as a person. Whenever I went out, I was filled with anxiety, constantly thinking about everything that could go wrong and ruin my day. It felt like I could never escape my thoughts. I initially thought it was just a result of my changing hormones, but the feeling only worsened. Each morning during my junior year of high school, I woke up in a panic. Nothing was wrong, yet I felt like my whole world was crumbling at 6:30 a.m. It got so bad that I began throwing up before school because of this overwhelming sense that something was wrong. I gradually became less social with my friends and peers. This wasn’t intentional; I just became anxious and found it hard to speak. I wanted to converse with the people around me, but I struggled to get the words out. As a result, I would overthink everything and end up not talking at all, paralyzed by the fear of being judged. Gradually, my friends drifted away from me, and it wasn’t their fault. I had simply become a very reserved person. I felt like I had lost my spark and my sense of self, and I was confused about where everything went wrong. It wasn't until the end of my junior year that I realized I was self-sabotaging. I knew things were serious when my parents sat me down for a talk. They expressed their concerns, saying that other family members had asked, "What's wrong with Stephanie?" Truthfully, I was just as confused as they were; I didn’t understand why I struggled to talk to my own family. Now that I am in my senior year of high school, I still struggle with putting myself out there, primarily due to my fear of what others think of me. However, I am hopeful about college. I see college as an opportunity to start over and rebrand myself. I don’t want to be known as the shy, reserved girl but rather as the vibrant person I once was—the one who could easily engage with a whole room without feeling like she was going to throw up. I can’t wait to experience all that college has to offer. I know it will take effort on my part, but I am excited about the journey ahead.

My name is Stephanie Romero, and I referee and umpire for Pojoaque Little League in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have been refereeing since my freshman year of high school, and I absolutely love it. One of my favorite memories as a referee was during a little league soccer game when I noticed one of the kids was struggling to tie his shoe. I took a moment to teach him how to do it. The following week at the games, I saw that same child tying his shoes on his own. That experience brought me a joy I had never felt before, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to help a child learn something as simple as tying his shoes. I referee every Sunday during the fall months for my community's little league soccer teams and also umpire little league baseball and softball games during the spring and summer. I do this voluntarily to stay engaged with sports and to support my community. I grew up playing in the same little league soccer and softball program in Pojoaque, and I cherish the fun and memorable moments I had while playing. I never realized how much I would end up loving refereeing for the kids. There were many times when I felt like giving up due to the pressures of the job. I often struggled to forget the times I was questioned about my calls and yelled at by parents who disagreed with my decisions. Although these moments made me doubt my abilities, I also received support from my parents who took the time to thank me for being a kind and fair referee. Their appreciation encouraged me to continue my work, knowing that not everyone would agree with my decisions. Having this experience has given me a deeper respect for the referees who officiated my games. Looking ahead, I plan to search for local refereeing positions at recreational sports after high school when I attend college. I am eager to keep giving back to my community by ensuring that kids have a fair and enjoyable game. Sports play a significant role in our lives, and they wouldn’t be possible without referees. My years of refereeing in high school have taught me resilience and how to handle hurtful comments. It has helped me grow into a more resilient young adult, and I am grateful for the personal development this experience has provided. I intend to continue my refereeing activities in college so I can support my new community as well.

When I started wrestling in my junior year of high school I wanted to try something new, But I mostly just wanted to prove something to myself. The day after my first practice, I woke up barely able to move. My body was sore, and my mind was filled with self-doubt. Thoughts like, “Wrestling isn’t for me,” and “I started too late,” flooded my head, making me question my decision. Despite the doubts, I pushed through and returned to practice the next day. Wrestling became a way for me to challenge myself, not just physically, but mentally as well. Each practice was an opportunity to prove to myself that I could push myself past my limits. As the season progressed, life at home became more difficult. My mom became seriously ill, and my dad had to stay with her in the hospital hours away, leaving my little sister and me home alone. The house felt empty, and I struggled with loneliness and isolation. But wrestling had become my escape. It gave me a chance to clear my mind and focus on something other than the chaos at home. It also allowed me to bond with my teammates and get closer to my coaches. Wrestling gave me a community during such a hard time. It wasn’t just a sport, it was something that allowed me to escape reality during a difficult time in my life. My teammates and coaches were incredibly supportive, not only during my matches but throughout life. They helped me realize that wrestling wasn’t just about individual success when you win a match. It was about being part of a team, supporting each other, and being there for each other when times are hard. By the end of the season, I had grown not just as a wrestler but as a person. The discipline and resilience I developed completely changed my work ethic and mindset. This sport helped me become more determined and confident in life. Wrestling has taught me that I’m capable of more than I think, I just have to apply myself. The lessons I learned on the mat have stayed with me long after the season ended. It was more than just a sport to me, it was a turning point in my life. Wrestling gave me an unbreakable mindset, helping me face challenges head-on and proving to myself that I have the strength to push through anything. I will forever be grateful to have experienced the season I did with the people that were there.