- 2010 Season Highlights
Personal Statement
Oh my goodness! Hell Week has arrived. It starts two weeks before the school year does, and it's nothing but conditioning and calisthenics for about three or four days before we can actually hit someone. For the past couple of days before hell week I have been preparing myself by hydrating and running. I was determined to be the best on the field even if it was my first year playing organized football. I thought to myself that because I was tall and I had mammoth sized hands that I'll be just right for the position I was pursuing. When I first got there I was nervous and hesitant about everything I did, I also was a bit anti-social, staying quiet and excluding myself from everyone, but that showed no hope.
As games went on I learned to be the biggest cheerleader that I can be because football is a team sport and no one man can play alone. Hence the quote 'There is no I in TEAM'. I guess the coaches have seen that I maturated and became more of a team player, so they gave me chances to play and when I did I made the best of it, whether it was for two plays or an entire series I tried my best. When I got a chance to start I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't lose that job. I would continue to work hard and to the best of my ability.
One of my coaches made a valid point saying that we are student-athletes and not athletic students. This came clear to me because if one is not doing what one has to do in the school building then one can't be on the field. So I took this to heart and was determined to be the best student I could be. I strived for a high honor roll position, and with hard work came rewards. I have received honorable mention from coaches and other staff in the school for my achievements. I also have been held to a higher standard than some other teammates because some of them would fool around and not be a student first the way that I am. At the end of the football season I was nominated for the All-Boro award, which recognizes the talent of several student-athletes in there respective borough in New York City. This season I am working towards an Academic All-City award as well as the All-City award which is the best of the best. Also during this
season I was rewarded the role as one of the team captains, I was excited but it isn't an easy task. I have to set examples and lead by example. Everything I have is because of hard work, dedication, along with maturation and determination. I believe these are some of the necessary qualities that are needed for what I intend on majoring in when I get to the next level of my education.
