Personal Statement
I have been involved in sports since I was old enough to participate. I started with flag football in kindergarten in the fall, soccer in the spring, and baseball in the summer. I added basketball and futsal in the winter as soon as I was able to. I went out for track in seventh grade to hang out with by friends and participate in a spring sport. Track was out of my comfort zone because while I was still a part of a team, I was competing in individual events. It did not take me long to decide that I wanted to keep throwing the shot put and discus in high school. My first year in high school, I was the only freshman thrower but earned a spot traveling to the bigger meets with the team. My sophomore year, I earned a varsity letter and was able to improve both my shot put and discus marks enough to place at meets even though I did not have an experienced throwing coach.
Growing up, I was involved in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and my church’s youth group. These activities taught me to take pride in my community and to give back. I am an Eagle Scout and have been on two mission trips. Through these activities and sports, I have learned how important it is to be a good role model for younger students. I have been involved in new Scout orientation and I also volunteer at the youth football camps that my school puts on each year. I also participate in a community clean up each spring and have volunteered at my high school’s Freshman Showcase the last three years.
Finding a balance between sports and academics is sometimes difficult, especially while playing football, wrestling, and throwing in track. I have been in the 95% attendance club all three years of high school and was on the bronze honor roll my freshman and sophomore years. This year, I made the silver honor roll and was inducted into the National Honor Society.
I plan on pursuing a degree to become an athletic trainer or go into education so I can be a coach. My love of sports and the interaction I have had with my school’s athletic trainer and with my coaches are the reasons I want to pursue one of these careers. Sports have had such a big influence on my life. I not only want to continue playing in college, but I want to continue working with athletics as my career.
