- 2017 Highlights #2
Personal Statement
I"m Mason Streppa. I am an 10th grader at Patton High School in Morganton, NC. I have clear goals for myself both on and off the field. In the classroom, I will maintain A's in all my classes, as I have done continuously since elementary school. I believe that on the field you need to give a perfect effort no matter what, "from snap to whistle" on every play. That is one thing that I have control of on the field. Leadership is another thing that is very important to me. I am a leader by helping and encouraging my teammates and leading by example. I have been honored to be team captain both this year, as well as numerous times in earlier years - not only in football, but basketball as well. I have always taken this role seriously and worked hard to be a positive example for my teammates. This year, I played safety and for certain schemes, lined up on special teams, wide receiver, running back and cornerback. I will play wherever I can most benefit my team and have been glad to learn so many different positions.
I have goals to thrive in the high school football environment. I intend to graduate from high school with great grades (with honors). My long-term goal for football is to play at the college level. I will do whatever it takes to achieve this. I attended the FBU Charlotte regional camp freshman year and was invited to participate in FBU's Top Gun, the nation's top showcase for high school athletes and was then invited to the US Army National Combine. I don't know what I want to do after college yet, but I do know that I want my career to involve sports as much as possible. I also play basketball and run track. I run the 400m and the 110m hurdles in track. I placed 3rd in the conference in the 110m hurdles and 5th in the conference in the 400m. 8th grade year I also won the Liberty Middle Student-Athlete of the Year for the best athlete as well as student in the classroom.
I qualified for the Duke Talent Search Program in the fourth grade and have maintained the grades and year end test scores necessary to remain in that program. This program provided me with the chance to take the ACT college boards last year as a 7th grader. I had the highest score in my county and received state recognition for my score and was even invited to the county school board meeting for special recognition there as well. This meant a lot to me. In my engineering class in school this year I designed and built a toothpick bridge and doubled the previous school record for the weight it held. My bridge held 151 lbs. My teacher was so impressed that he posted this on the school website and sent an email to all of the school faculty and staff telling them of my accomplishment. I was also invited to compete at the regional level and placed second behind the defending state champions.
I am a very goal-oriented person and I love competition. Last summer I received a sports camp's "Character Award", awarded to the camper with the best character, integrity, and leadership. I also decided on my own that I would read the Bible in a year. This wasn't an assignment, I felt I needed to learn more about the Bible and my faith and decided that would be a good way to do it (outside of church and Sunday School). I read a little each night and after the full year, I completed my task - both the Old and the New Testaments. This was a worthwhile experience because I proved to myself I could achieve a long-term goal, and I deepened my knowledge of Christianity. I like to do things outside of school like watch college and professional football, do things with friends, and stay active with my church's youth ministries. God has blessed me in many ways and I believe it is important as a Christian to help others. I like to participate in my church's Youth Mission trips because I get to help others and have fun with my friends at the same time.
I know that as long as I continue to do my best both on and off the field, to set goals and work to accomplish them, and to be a positive example to others, I will be successful.
