- 2021 Highlights #2
Personal Statement
My goals are to be the first man in my family to ever go to college and to be only the second person in our family history to get a higher education. I have many interests at this point and am driven most by understanding the powerful connection between the human mind and body. I am currently considering majors in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, and Nutrition with a secondary interest in Sports Psychology and Athletic Training. As a kid, I had a hard time with money sometimes. At the age of 8, I began working with my father in construction in the summers and during school breaks to make money for my travel soccer teams. Working all the time limited my opportunities to hang with friends and do simple things like go to the movies. The sacrifice was worth it because it taught me so much about myself and life. I know I am better prepared for being an adult on my own because of working. That hard work also paid off during the 2020-2021 soccer season. I received MOVSL all-league first team member and Southeast Ohio First Team all-district member. Other awards have been Academic Honor Roll during my soccer seasons and three varsity letters so far. I am extremely motivated in the pursuit of my dream of playing soccer at the collegiate level while I pursue a college education and degree. I am currently taking two college courses during my senior year (College Algebra and English) and am managing my time, resources, and mental focus very well. As I near the end of my senior soccer season, I am even more excited to take on the next challenge in pursuit of my goals.
I am influenced most by my father who came to this country as an immigrant at the age of 20. He spoke no English and had only his two hands and work ethic. My father never backs down from a challenge and has taught me to give 100% in everything I do. Even though he only has a high school education (he earned his GED in the US after he learned English), he has taught himself so many skills and I have learned how to strive for my own goals through his model. By working with him in construction I have learned that success on the field often comes from your attitude off the field. I have learned to accept my weaknesses and see them as opportunities to improve rather than as obstacles to my success. I have learned that attention to detail, no matter how small, can be the difference between success and failure. Paying attention to the small things has been fundamental to my soccer development. It is why I continue to work on basic ball handling and juggling skills every single day.
After a great freshman varsity year, my sophomore year was very challenging. I switched positions and went through some personal difficulties that made me lose focus and confidence in myself. I struggled through the first games of the season and did not feel that I was giving my team 100% until halfway through the season. I realized that it was not my physical skill that was throwing me off, but my lack of focus and mental weakness. And even though we had a decent record, we did not make it to the district tournament for the first time in 5 years. This loss did not settle with me very well because I knew I could have done more, but I learned a valuable lesson about mentality and the importance of putting your mind and body in the game. Since then I have become the Captain of my team and I have shown effective leadership, a strong work ethic, and enthusiasm. We must believe in ourselves individually and as a team in order to achieve our goals. It is my goal as Captain to ensure that I help all my teammates find that mental focus. I believe I would be an excellent member of any team, with all my attributes on and off the field, and I firmly believe you must play soccer with a smile.
