Learning About Me

Sports have always been a big part of my life, i've played just about every sport you could possibly think of. My parents always surrounded me and my siblings with athletics, and we have learned many valuable lessons along the way. I've been participating in different sports since i was 8, and am still doing them today. I first started playing field hockey in 5th grade and it has taught me many different things about life. I've learned from my parents that by playing sports, you make a commitment to something bigger then yourself, you make a commitment to your parents, your coaches, and most importantly, your team or sport. From playing field hockey for so many years, i have learned to finish things that i have started and to not give up until the task is complete. I have learned to win modestly, and lose gracefully. Through field hockey and sports, i have learned that you must never give up in anything that you do and that you must make scarifies for your teammates, your coaches, and the ones you love most.

In December of 2011, i as well as 40 of my classmates went on our Unitas Retreat. It was a three day experience that changed my outlook on life. I listened to many of my friends talk about hardships and things that they have encountered in their life that i couldn't even imagine. From retreat, i have realized that everyone has a story, that there's more that meets the eye. I learned to not judge people by their looks or by what i think they will be like, but to have a clean slate for everyone, because you never know how much that have endured in their life. My friends and mentors taught me that you don't necessarily have to go to church to find God, but that you find God in your friends and through the people you love.

When i was in 5th grade, at 10 years old, my oldest brother JJ was going to Iraq to serve with the Army. Having your big brother go away and not knowing when he will be back is an extremely scary thought, one that no one wants to feel. Throughout the years i've learned a lot of things from my brother JJ. Because of what he has taught me, and through what i've learned about myself when he went to iraq, i realized that you have to have faith. No matter how bad things can get, you must always have faith that there will be a good outcome. I have learned to have faith that no matter what happens, everything will turn out okay as long as i have God in my life. Because of those experiences, i have also learned to be outgoing. You never know how long you or someone else has to live, so you should live every moment to the fullest. I try to be approachable and welcoming to others because just as my brother impacted my life, you never know who could have an immense impact on yours. Along with having faith and being outgoing, i have also learned to help others in need, to sacrifice things in order to help those people that need it most.