Personal Statement
I am a passionate athlete that strives to serve the Lord both on and off the court. I use my God-given talents to mentor those younger than me, and I try to make every opportunity matter. Not only am I a basketball player with college-level aspirations, but I am also involved in Habitat for Humanity (2 years), Cougar Leaders (high school leadership group – 3 years), member of Student Athletic Board (3 years), and an active participant in our church youth group (7 years). With each leadership opportunity, I have grown as a person and a player. For the last two summers, I have had the awesome opportunity to travel to Tegucigalpa, Honduras as part of Torch Missions. Together, we have built approximately 35 houses, provided food to various communities, and spent time with village children through sports and recreation. It is during this ministry that I am reminded of how I can use my passion for basketball, my competitive nature, and my desire to improve to truly make a difference.
Basketball has been a part of my life since I was in Kindergarten. My family continues to travel all around the mid-west, supporting me in the game that I love so much. Upon many things, basketball has taught me patience, perseverance, and the importance of maintaining a growth mindset. As a player, you have to choose how to respond to the court. Sometimes plays don’t go as planned, calls don’t go your way, and teammates self-destruct. I have found that maintaining a focused mindset often determines the direction of my attitude, ultimately making those around me rise. As a point guard, my goal is to seek out opportunities for my teammates to grow and shine as a player while seizing each opportunity to find my shot. If I can contribute to the overall success of the team versus me as an individual, then I feel successful.
Playing basketball at the college level is my ultimate goal, as is preparing for a future vocation. Currently, I am juggling two career options: sports medicine and materials engineering. I have been fortunate to dabble in both career options in my current coursework and internships at Bloomington North High School. I am hoping that I will continue to have opportunities in both paths in order to make a more informed decision regarding my future after college.
