Personal Statement
Hockey has been a part of my life since I was 4 years old. I’ve played at all levels on both boys and girls teams. I’ve had seasons where I’m the standout player and seasons where I’m a contributor. I’ve had leadership roles and I’ve also been a follower. I’ve been on teams with strong, supportive coaches and teammates and I’ve been on teams where everyone was an individual. I’ve been praised and I’ve been blamed. I’ve been supported and I’ve been left to my own devices. All of these opportunities have provided me with the chance to learn what I value most and what I am able to bring to a team.
Last season I was recruited to the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy in Manitoba, Canada, 25 hours away from my home in Vienna, VA. I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and with the support of my family I took a leap of faith to further develop my skills as a player. What I wasn’t expecting was how much this opportunity would develop me as a person. Training six to seven days a week certainly improves one's hockey skills, but learning to live in a dorm, adapt to a new school curriculum and budgeting my finances has helped me to grow as a young adult. The coaching staff at PMHA often refers to me as the academy tutor - especially in math, skating role model, voice of the Pilot Mound Buffaloes and a key leader on and off the ice because I have chosen to fully immerse myself into the culture in Pilot Mound, MB. My years of power skating and skill development have carried over to this new setting where I’m able to fine tune them and learn how to make the most of them in competitive game situations.
Off the ice, my 3.8 GPA and strong study habits are beneficial to all academy members as I’m able to help them with subjects such as pre-calculus and chemistry, as well as time management, and organization. Having moved from a suburb of Washington, DC, to a town of less than 700 people, I have embraced the different opportunities and lifestyle by working in the gardens to pull potatoes and carrots to aid in the harvesting of crops for the farming community, planning trips to hunt small game, and fishing with teammates and classmates. My coaches have shared that my passion for life is reflective in how I play the game of hockey and embrace life through an open mind without criticism and judgement. In the past I have enjoyed volunteering and supporting students with special needs in school settings and hockey clubs, and I look forward to carrying that passion into my college education by seeking opportunities in psychology, human growth and development, and special education before pursuing a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy.