- 2021 Highlights
Personal Statement
Every year, at the beginning of the school year, for the last three years, I have seen one of my Grandparents be swiftly driven to the local hospital where they stayed and I watched and held their hands as they slowly faded away from me.
These last three years have brought me some of the saddest, yet also the most joyous memories; I have been lost and I have found myself. When my closest Grandparent passed away, I didn't think I could find the reason nor strength to go on about my life and work toward the goals I had set. Everything was sad and had lost its spark because I didn't have her to tell and hear her joy over my successes. Almost a year later, after my next grandparent had past, I was told that the congenital bone defect in my left femur was going to require surgical repair. It had been painful for years and needed to be removed before it damaged my knee cartilage for good. At this point, I realized I was cheating myself by moping;.If I was going to reach any of my academic or athletic goals following this surgery, I had a lot of work to do ahead of me. I had just made JV as a freshman and was scheduled for surgical repair of my left knee the first week after state finals. Luckily, the timing was perfect and my doctor was great...I was non-weight bearing and on crutches for 4 months, BRUTAL for a full time soccer girl who was captain of her club team. While I was down, I never missed a practice nor a game; cheering on my team kept me going.... I worked so hard on regaining my strength through physical therapy, that my doctor actually made me slow down. After a second surgery and so much more physical therapy, I was released from activity restrictions 2 months early and was able to try out for club soccer on time! This is when I found myself...I am a hardcore, hard working and determined female athlete that has a point to prove! I plan to live up to the life my Grandparents wanted to see me live! I came back to my sport stronger, faster, and so hungry to improve...it has been the best year ever! No knee pain and no limitations!
I know who I am, what I am destined to study in college and how I am going to attain my goals; hard work, never giving up, not being afraid to go for it and being true to myself. I plan on majoring in sports physical therapy or nursing while in college; I have always known I would work in the medical field and now, after surgery, I am certain.
I know this game and all positions well as I have played most positions over the 13 years I have played (including keeper) and I am always happy for a new challenge. I recently gained a position on an ECNL team and have been invited to join the player's pool for the PSPL Academy Team. I am looking forward to working harder than ever for my new teams.
My dream is to get a strong college education while playing competitive collegiate soccer. My goal is to be a role model to young female athletes and to work hard at keeping young athletes in their sports following injuries as a medical professional.
Thank you for your time.
#23 Bonnie Martin
