Ashjahnelle Wilson '19 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ashjahnelle Wilson; a senior high school student presently attending the Universal Audenried Charter High School, located in Philadelphia, PA. My background includes various student activity participation; ranging from being a Varsity Cross Country Runner, Varsity Basketball Player, and a Varsity Track and Field Runner. I have also set aside time to participate in other school volunteer community projects involving coaching a local 4^th grade boy’s recreational basketball team, Student School Photographer, Senior Class President, Student Member of the School Advisory Board, Big Sister Mentor to a 7^th grade middle school student, and previously representing the student body as a Student Council Representative. In addition I also dedicated my efforts towards improving my community, by participating in a local trash clean-up program and implementing a company-wide recycling project as a Cadet Girl Scout. As a first generation student heading into a college educational setting, I have also attended the Camp College high school student program this summer at Caldwell University; which allowed me to explore what it would actually be like attending college. I have not decided on one particular geographic region or location. My main focus is finding an institution that offers a comprehensive educational program with the primary major of photography to fit my occupational goal of becoming an underwater credentialed photographer. My secondary major focuses on traveling to Spanish speaking countries and learning their culture and traditions by majoring in Spanish.

Playing college women’s basketball has always been a goal of mine, since the fourth grade. My extensive experiences as a basketball player can offer a team several personal attributes, that encompass who I have been throughout my junior high and high school journey.  All in which have worked towards great outcomes and achievements. I placed major emphasis on my “determination and commitment” to achieve goals. Without the will to continue and use the value of resilience; my true potential will never be achieved. I have been able to encourage my teammates, and be a positive influence on their decision making. I find having “character and credibility” are also major attributes that have enabled me to be confident in my beliefs and value systems. I stress to my team that our differences are what makes us strong, we are here to achieve one goal, at the end of the day and we are here to win. Understanding that change is inevitable and in order for me to meet my goals; “perseverance” will be a key factor to handling disappointments and obstacles along the path. There is a key attribute that has made me continue playing basketball even when players were misjudging me, or when I was out on concussion recover, the word that comes to mind has to do with the importance of being a “tenacious” player with an appetite to make it happen. If a skill or play or fellow player is deficient in an area, then the next step is to improve it. One key attribute that I have found to be paramount to the players and teams’ success has a great deal to do with fostering “trust worthy relationships with teammates and coaches”. I know this from first-hand experience, and the relationship team building processes must be in place from the very beginning; to “promote teamwork, consideration, support, and understanding” that it’s ok to make a mistake, laugh at yourself, aim to do better next time, and move on.

My most outstanding characteristics encompass my abilities to overcome challenges, focus on improving my academics, and be a proactive leader both on and off of the basketball court. I will begin by giving you an example involving me overcoming a most current challenge that I had to overcome, not only as an athlete, but as a student. It was midway into my 2017-2018 basketball seasons, when I was fouled by an opponent. That foul resulted in me hitting my head abruptly onto the court floor; resulting into a concussion. It was quite a traumatic experience, and I had to be taken to the emergency room. The injury took place on January 29^th, 2018 and I was not clear to return to play until April 2, 2018. I could not use any electronics, was required to attended school part time, where shades to adjust to the light sensitivity , and write down as much as I could.

This injury took me out of an important leadership position on my team, as a Varsity Starter and Team leader; and I not only felt guilty but helpless as well. In addition to feeling guilty I had to deal with my team not understanding the seriousness of my injury, and their disbelief of my medical diagnosis was crushing. My condition was very sensitive to the point that I could not even tolerate the normal noises most people take for granted when attending a basketball game; for long periods at a time. This led my team to drift further and further away from me, and that was hurtful. However, with increased support from my family, my primary doctor, sports medicine staff, some members of the Junior Varsity team, I realized that I had to block out the negativity and focus solely on my recovery. I began to push myself whenever I could during my therapy sessions. As my sessions went on I graduate to watching black and white TV shows such as “I Love Lucy’ and Gilligan’s Island”, during my free time. In the end I had to complete two marking periods worth of class work in one regular marking period time frame; once I was cleared to return to a regular school day.

This experience taught me a great deal of lessons; Don’t try to ignore a serious injury just to rush back into play; especially before the healing process is complete, believe in myself and what I am capable of accomplishing within a limited time frame, Communicate honestly and clearly to ensure that others understand, and know where to focus my efforts and determination. It was difficult getting back into play for the first two months of my AAU season, but my coach understood and was very encouraging. I have since transferred to a new school , and I am now focusing my goals on improving my previous GPA , class ranking, and scoring higher on standardized tests. Thus far I have been going to weekly tutoring, performing at an A- grade level, nominated by staff and voted by the student body to represent them as their Senior Class President, awarded for perfect attendance, and recognized as the student of the month of October. I am also involved with other school activities as a student member of the School Advisory Board, student school photographer, and the captain of the varsity girls’ basketball team. I have listed a snap shot of my student work experience and special skills.

WORK EXPERIENCE: 

SAHARA SAMS WATER THEME PARK                                    BERLIN, NJ

CERTIFIED LIFEGUARD

*Maintain constant surveillance of patrons

in the facility to deliver continuous monitoring

*Provide immediate care and appropriately

secure the safety of patrons within the facility 

*Administer first responder care and treatment

until emergency medical services arrives

YMCA OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY                                      MOUNT LAUREL, NJ

AQUATIC INSTRUCTOR

*Conduct age appropriate swimming lesson

instructions to kids between the ages of 4-7yrs

*Evaluate and determine class swimming

abilities and improvement areas

*Achieved a 100% success rate out of

50 students instructed

OTHER SPECIAL SKILLS:

2019                                                                                    PHILADELPHIA, PA

*CERTIFIED AS A COMMERCIAL GRAPHIC ARTS

AND DESIGN TECHNICIAN

WITH 20 TOTAL COLLEGE EARNED 

2018                                                                                    BLACK WOOD, NJ

*COMPLETED OFFICIAL MENTORSHIP TRAINING

WITH THE BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER 

2017                                                                                    BERLIN, NJ

*CERTIFIED CPR AND FIRST AIDE RESPONDER

COMPLETED WITH ELLIOT AND ASSOCIATES  

2016                                                                                    ST. THOMAS USVI

*PADI CERTIFIED JUNIOR ADVANCED

OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVER TRAINING

*COMPLETED YMCA 50HR OJT AND                               MOUNT LAUREL, NJ

15 HRS OF SUPERVISORY AQUATIC TRAINING

2015                                                                                    ST. THOMAS USVI

* PADI CERTIFIED JUNIOR OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVER  

2014                                                                                    WILMINGTON, DE

*INITIAL PADI CERTIFICATION TRAINING

40HRS IN/OUT POOL TIME 

Throughout my high school student experiences I learned to leave all options open, and hence; I am not going to limit my college opportunities at this point. My approaches to choosing college options are open to every level of basketball competition, with sound curriculum options. In the end the best fit for both my academic major, athletic goals, financial requirements will be the determining factors. My realistic athletic goals are not limited as well. I will leave all options open in order to make a sound decision about the level of competition I will participate in on the collegiate level. My current athletic goals focus on being a team leader, working as a unit , strengthening team weaknesses, and dedicating the effort and determination needed to have a solid season record; in order to go to the state championship. In closing, I can offer several positive personal traits, a patient approach to learning, and my commitment to helping others. Please take a moment to review some highlights listed below for more detailed information about my middle and high school extracurricular and volunteer experiences.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS: 

2018-2019 PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC BASKETBALL LEAGUE

*VARSITY STARTER AS A SHOOTING GUARD

*VARIOUS GAME MVP AWARDED FOR EXCELLENT SKILL EXECUTION

*AWARDED TEAM CAPTAIN POSITION

2017 TOWNSHIP VOLLYBALL PROGRAM

*HAD FUN LEARNING A NEW SPORT WITH EASE AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE

*EXPERIENCED GREAT COMPETITION

*TEAM PLACED FIRST IN THE LOCAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

2015-2017 VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK AND FIELD

*FEMALE CROSS COUNTRY VARSITY METALS EARNED FOR BREAKING AND SETTING NEW RECORDS

*FEMALE TRACK & FIELD VARSITY METALS EARNED FOR BREAKING AND SETTING NEW RECORDS IN THE 200/1600

*TEAM CAPTAIN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS ON BOTH TEAMS

VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL

*FRESHMAN TEAM STARTER IN THE POINT GUARD LEADERSHIP POSITION

*TEAM MVP AWARDED AND ADVANCED TEAM TO LOAL CHAMPIONSHIP

*ACHIEVED MOST WINS IN HISTORY, SINCE 1938 FOR THE GIRLS BASKETBALL PROGRAM 

2012-2019 BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER OF NJ & PA PROGRAM

*MADE HISTORY AS A LITTLE BY HAVING ONE OF THE LONGEST BIG SISTER MATCH: 7 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

*GREAT LEADERSHIP AS A LITTLE WHO INTERVIEWED AND WAS APPROVED AS A BIG SISTER FOR A STUDENT LITTLE

*CURRENTLY REMAINS AN ACTIVE MEMBER

2012-2015 MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL

*TEAM STARTER IN THE POINT GUARD LEADERSHIP POSITION

*TEAM MVP AWARDED AND ADVANCED TEAM TO LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIP

*ACHIEVED MOST POINTS BY A FEMALE IN HISTORY WITH 33 PIONTS, FOR THE GIRLS BASKETBALL PROGRAM

MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS SOCCER AND SOFTBALL

*HAD FUN LEARNING A NEW SPORT AND MEETING NEW CLASSMATES

*EXPERIENCED GREAT COMPETITION

*TEAM PLACED FIRST IN THE LOCAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

HONORS AND AWARDS:

2018Scholar of the Month at Universal Audenried

High School Awarded on October 12, 2018

2018 Perfect Attendance Awarded

2017 Vice Principal’s Choice at Highland High School Awarded on December 5, 2017

2017 Township Academic Award presented by Mayor David R. Mayer

for Outstanding Performance

***COMPLETE HISTORY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST***

My most important accomplishments include but are not limited to the following:

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

CURRENT                                                    PHILADELPHIA, PA

*COMMUNITY SERVICE: STUDENT CLEAN-UP PROJECT PARTICIPANT

*SCHOOL ADVISORY STUDENT BOARDMEMBER

*NOMINATED BY STAFF AND VOTED BY THE STUDENT BODY TO BE THE SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENTREPRESENTATIVE

*COMMUNITY SERVICE: STUDENT SCHOOL VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHER

2018                                                           BLACKWOOD, NJ

*CHOSEN AS A STUDENT BIG SISTER MENTOR AT LEWIS MIDDLE SCHOOL

                                                                    WINSLOW, NJ

*ASSISTANT COACH OF THE 4^TH GRADE BOYS WINSLOW RECREATIONAL TEAM

TEAM ACHIEVED 2^ND PLACE WITH A 13-3 CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD

2017                                                            BELMAWR, NJ

*CAMDEN COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM BOOK FAIR ATTRENDANT

2016                                                        SICKLERVILLE, NJ

*STUDENT COUNCIL CLASS REPRESENTATIVE

2015                                                            BARRINGTON, NJ

*PARTICIPATED IN A SCHOOL CLOTHING DRIVE TO HELP A LOCAL WOMANS SHELTER

2014                                                           VORHEES, NJ

*PARTICIPATED IN THE MARCH OF DIMES WALKATHON AS A GIRL SCOUT HELPER

NOMINATED AND AWARDED FOR EXCELLENT COMMUNITY SERVICE  

This concludes my personal statement. Thank you for taking the time to read and carefully review my profile for consideration as a collegiate student athlete.   I look forward to speaking with you further about how my value can add to your team.

Sincerely,

Ashjahnelle Wilson

Well Rounded Student and Amateur Athlete