Good morning,
As far back as I can remember I have played sports. I was involved in every sport in elementary school, including soccer, baseball, and surfing. Over the years I tried everything and found that sports were a good outlet. As a young student, I struggled with attention and learning issues and sports was a way to get out energy as well as learn critical life lessons.
Teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, independence, and responsibility are just a few of the skills that sports have taught me. I believe that these skills have made me a better student and will help my transition into college. In team sports, you are a crucial part of the team, and if you do not do your job, you can ruin the entire outcome of the game. Through baseball, I learned that you need to be upfront to be a team player. If you cannot go to practice or go to the game, the team needs to know that so they can prepare. Being upfront has also helped me in school. In a group project, you need to do your part or everybody suffers.
While I love all sports, my passion is surfing. Surfing is my safe space to be myself and not be judged. I have surfed all my life and will continue to surf for many years to come. Surfing my first wave is one of the best feelings in the world. It makes me feel calm and free, it almost feels like time slows down for this moment. All I can focus on is keeping my balance and making it to the end of the wave. The ocean is the one place where I can clear my mind of all the stress and worries of the day. I focus on the moment. When the ride is over, I paddle back out for more to recreate the feeling of calm. I have learned to respect the ocean. When you take mother nature for granted, she finds a way to humble you. Surfing helps with my attention as well as the physical and mental strength it gives me.
Through surfing, I have been exposed to other activities involving the ocean. In ninth grade, my friends and I started our school's first surf team. We have participated for all four years. This comradery makes surfing even more special because I can share these moments with friends. I have also participated in Junior lifeguards for eight years. Like all sports, Jr. Guards has taught me to work with others, follow very specific instructions, and work hard to be safe and have fun. Another water sport that came out of my love for surfing is surf skiing. Surf skiing is done on a 20-foot skinny craft using a paddle. It is one of the fastest paddle craft without an engine. This requires balance, focus, and technique to stay on the craft through the surf. It is exhilarating when you catch a wave because of the speed.
I will take the lessons I have learned through sports to college. Sports have taught me how to work hard and will help me transition to college. It is important to me to succeed and I know I will persevere even when challenged. Working with others will also help me in college in knowing how to work in group settings and live with new roommates. Since I will be going to the University of Oregon, it is important I actively develop a support system for myself; no one is just going to hand it to me. Sports have helped prepare me to be responsible for my own success and happiness in college.
Playing sports is a fun way to be with friends, compete and stay in shape. I enjoy most sports, however, it is always surfing that I go back to. I search for that calm and find inner joy. Without sports and surfing specifically, I would not be the person I am today. I’ll leave you with a quote from Phil Edwards “The best Surfer out there is the one having the most fun.” Thank you.
Shout outs:
Thank you to all the teachers for helping me throughout the years.
Thank you to all the members of the baseball, football and surf teams over the years. I created many memories that I won't forget.
Thank you to all of my coaches for always pushing me to be the best I can be on and off the field.
Thank you Mrs. Terhune for getting me through high school and helping me succeed.
Thank you Sir Brammah for being the best advisor
I want to thank my sister Hayden for always making really good muffins. Even though we fight sometimes, I still love you.
Thank you dad for coming to all my games and anything I do. You always support me. I love you.
Mom, I wouldn't be at this school without you. Thank you for always having my best interests at heart. We might fight sometimes, but I love you.