In fourth grade, I picked up my first lacrosse stick on an earthy dirt field in Arizona. I had no idea at the time that sport would carry me through some of the most significant changes in my life. I had no idea how much it would teach me about determination, leadership, and identity, or how well it would hold me down during times of transition.
I crossed state lines and started over in Prosper in January 2021, in the middle of eighth grade. It’s difficult to uproot your life as a teenager. You leave behind friends, routines, teammates, and familiarity. I arrived at Prosper not only in the middle of a school year but also during a worldwide pandemic, not knowing what to expect.
I discovered a new team, a new field, and a new me, but I’ve always been able to fall back on lacrosse. The snap of the net, the hustle of ground balls, and the adrenaline of fast breaks were all constants in the game, no matter how life changed. Above all, though, the lessons stayed with me. I learned how to believe in myself and my team, how to persevere when I was exhausted, and how to communicate under pressure from this sport.
By high school, lacrosse had shifted from a fun sport to a major part of my identity. I always felt comfortable on the field, whether we were practicing in the heat in the fall, fighting through close games in the Spring, or celebrating big wins. I want to thank my teammates for supporting me both on and off the field. Thank you to my coaches, especially my youth coaches, for encouraging me to develop as a leader and a player. You have no idea how much your faith in me meant.
I know that this isn’t the end, as I prepare to leave the field for the final time as a high school athlete. The game and the grit it gave me will be with me whether or not I keep playing at the next level. Whatever I do next will be shaped by my discipline, fortitude, and love for something greater than myself. Lacrosse has supported me through every stage of my life, from Arizona to Prosper. I now take what I learned from it into the future.
