Joseph Loran '23 Recruiting Profile

I am always working to improve my soccer skills. While this may not make me stand out from other players, I always try to help my teammates and share any knowledge I can with them. I also try to keep the team spirit high and am constantly looking for ways to improve myself. The role of leadership is crucial to any team, I try to be a positive influence and lead by example both on and off the field. Playing soccer has taught me many valuable lessons, but one of the most important is the power of a small group of people coming together to make a difference. Recently my team faced a situation where some players on the opposing team were using racist language during the game, and the referees refused to even acknowledge the issue. The team as a collective whole decided the best way to address this issue was to make a statement. As a newly elected captain, I was honored to work with players, coaches, and even parents to get this issue fixed. We decided we wanted to change our uniforms to black with the words "Armada United Against Racism" written on them. We proudly went out on the field multiple times and represented ourselves, our team, and what we stood for. 

Leadership is not about being in charge, it's about being a role model and having the courage to stand up for what's right. I am proud that my team came together to stand up against racism. From this experience I learned that a small group truly can make a difference.