- 2022 Highlights #2
Personal Statement
My name is Parker Kelsey, student at Longview High School and this is my story.
As my team takes the field, I make sure that I have everything I need to do and be the best I can. As I sit waiting for my chance, I envision scoring and seeing my team cheering in delight. At that moment, I am interrupted by my coach, “Parker; get to forward, Chino is hurt”. I step to the sideline and bend down to touch the pitch and feel its coolness in my hands for what seems like eternity and then run onto the field in position. The whistle blows and I make one turn, the ball somehow finds its way to my left leg just outside the 18 yard line, I cut to the right, get rid of the defender, then have a go at goal. As if the ball took hours to hit the back of the net, I jump for joy and turn to see my team running to congratulate me. I look to the skies thanking God for allowing me to score such an important goal in our first round of play offs. After that brief moment of Gratitude, I realize, no one knew that I started playing this game at 4 years old and it took 2 knee surgeries to get to this point; the hard work and dedication it took to train by myself for months, to question my goals and motivation and to put all the negative thoughts out of my brain and to focus on what I wanted. That pure moment was what I had trained so hard for and I knew it would come. Words like AM workouts, soccer camps away from home so I could train without distractions, hard work, perseverance, dedication, keep going, and never give up had all come into play. No one in the stands needed to know my story, it was for me to know and do something about. That one goal was the beginning of coming back for me and it is the driving force behind me every day. It continued to show me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I continually work hard at everything I do. Currently, I have an A average in an International Baccalaureate (IB)/Dual Credit school program and I train soccer as hard as I can every day. I help those less fortunate than me and I work to be a positive influence every day and make the world a better place.
During the 2020/2021 spring season, Longview High school went on to make it to the regional semi-finals. I was able to play JV and Varsity as a freshman. My FC Dallas Club Team is one of the top in our age bracket in the North Texas most competitive league. Every week I have to drive to Tyler (2 hr round trip) and Dallas (4.5 hr round trip). We do what it takes for me to play at the highest level. Long drives are just normal in Texas.
During the 2021/2022 spring season, Longview High School went on to make it to the regional semi-finals again. I was able to start every game and was the leading scorer during playoffs. While we didn't win state, it has given me a burning desire to build a plan now in May and get all my teammates involved to work through the summer, so we can win state before I graduate. It is a goal and a desire to plan, lead and win the top accomplishment of high school soccer.
I imagine my college years to be a personal growth period much like what I have already experienced in life. My goal is to explore a professional soccer career and a sports journalism degree that will position me well for my future. On the field, I have shown that I am a dynamic player and will be a positive influence on the team or anyone who needs it. As I mature and grow throughout my college career, I will strive to be an asset to the academic and sports program. Most importantly, I will conduct myself with integrity and respect on and off the field, knowing that the way I carry myself reflects on my family, my team, my coaches and the school I choose to attend.
Thank you for reading about me. It was my pleasure.
