Personal Statement
From a young age, I have been actively taking part in sports—whether that was dance, tennis, kung fu, waterskiing, or track and field. This involvement has made me experience a plethora of environments while equipping myself with experience, friendships, and an athletic mindset.
It was in third grade when, during a track and field practice, a coach had me try the high jump. Hence, with a slight hesitation, openness to experiencing new things, and thrill to jump over a high bar, I went to meet the high jump team. Ever since then, I've been competing in high jump in both national and international meetings. During the 2021-2022 season, I jumped a PB of 5'7 and placed 2nd in the U18 Nationals, 2nd in the U23 Nationals, and 6th in the National Senior Championship. I also qualified to be a member of the National Team of Greece.
Whilst I spend hours on the track, academics are equally important to me. In the past years of my high school experience, I have excelled in my classes and have earned a 19 and 13/14 and a 19 and 9/10 (out of 20) GPA in 9th and 10th grade. Enrolled in the IB Programme for grades 11 and 12, I received a 42/42 IB1 final grade. My work as president of my school’s UNESCO club for the past 3 years, whilst also being a member of the MUN club, have given me the chance to take part and lead many international conferences. The abovementioned has helped me become focused, goal-oriented, and a leader—qualities that in my opinion make a powerful athlete and student. Being an ISEF finalist, winning the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth, and having taken part in many programming competitions (including the European Girls Olympiad in Informatics), I have learned to balance my extracurriculars and to have the right mindset in competitions. I do not stress out, instead I stay focused on my goals. Ultimately, academics have helped me grow as a person, as an athlete, and as a member of today’s society.
As for my personality, I’m a self-aware, goal-oriented, and organized person. I notice the little details, a trait that has made me a better high jumper as it’s an incredibly technical event. Moreover, I feel like I am focused, full of determination, and optimistic during competitions; I am always up for a challenge—whether that means pushing my limits in track, enrolling in a class out of my “comfort zone” at school, or even trying new experiences in life.
In conclusion, I want to combine athletics with academics in the future. Although high jump is indeed an individual sport, the sense of unity of my track team and I, has strongly improved me as an athlete, so I am looking forward to attending a school with a close-knit team, a school that pushes me academically and athletically.
