Personal Statement
I come from a baseball family. My grandfather, Tommy Morrison, was huge in Little and Junior League baseball and softball. In fact, in the 80’s he took two junior league baseball teams to the World Series and actually won one of them. I would get goosebumps listening to his baseball stories. In 2007, when I was six years old and sadly, one year before my grandfather passed away, I actually got to play on his team. It was during the time my father deployed to Iraq, and my relatives, and baseball, were my family’s support system. I played up on his 8U team with my older brother and cousin. I was young, but I will never forget the ‘high-five,’ the sound of his husky voice or his smile when I hit the ball out of the infield. Baseball will always be a part of me.
I have always been a utility player. I believe it comes from always playing up. My brother is 16 months older than me and an amazing ball player. We both played select and travel teams growing up, and for family support we would be placed on the same team. I was good enough to play up, but it seemed I was always proving it. Being the youngest, I would not always start, and I did not always play the same position. So, naturally, I learned how to play every defensive position on the baseball field. As I got older, I still didn’t play the same position all the time, but I did start and most often, I did play the entire game. Now, in high school, although I’m mostly behind the dish and playing left field, my coach refers to me as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of the team. I believe this developed quality will be an asset to me and my team in college.
As sure as I am about playing baseball in college, I am not sure about what I want to be when I grow up. Although I have taken AP level courses in high school, and I excel in mathematics and chemistry, I am excited to start with general classes in college, maybe learn some business and economics, and maybe end up being a neurosurgeon. I have high expectations that college will help me have a successful career in whatever I may choose. The most important aspect of going to college for me is just that… ‘choice.’