Moving on

Hello class of 2025, throughout my four years in high school I have learned many things. But one thing in particular that has helped me to grow as a person in the community is soccer. I’ve learned many things, gained many friends and just changed as a person in general. Lots of people at our school that don’t know anything about me atleast know I play soccer. I’ve spent most of my life loving soccer and I think I always will. It’s not just the sport I love, the connections that come with it and everything you gain from it.

My freshman year when I showed up for my first summer soccer practice it was scary but it didn’t take long for all of the upperclassmen to talk to me and make it easier for me. The benefit of playing school soccer is that you see those people every day at practice and school. For the most part you get pretty close with everyone but there’s always that one person you connect with more than the others. I remember my freshman year when I didn’t really know anyone other than the kids in my grade, Grayson Letourneau would talk to me at practice and school and that made it a lot easier for me to also talk to the upperclassmen on the soccer team and make more friends. Thats why I think high school sports are much better than any other type of sport. I think most people can agree with that because even though your team might not be the best it still feels like a family.

Throughout my life and many different soccer experiences, I’ve come to realize how lucky I am. I’m lucky to be in a position where I can go to a good school with good people. Sometimes I take for granted how lucky I am and how easy I have it. Every now and then I play against a couple of players who don’t have the best equipment or sometimes don’t even have a ride and I sympathize with them. Sometimes if you just take a moment to think about things like that you will realize how lucky you are. I think everyone should have a hobby at school. You should join a club or something because it’s a great way to make new friends and feel like you’re a part of something. When you look back at highschool later on in life you’re going to wish you participated more in clubs and sports.

But what soccer has taught me my whole life is that no matter where you go or what you do you can always find at least one person who will be there for you and to be a friend. And if you can’t find friends then don’t worry about it cause there will always be a friend out there for you. I believe soccer has shaped me as a person and an athlete. It’s helped me make friends and feel as though I’m a part of a family. If you can find your family it will change your life.

“Soccer Balls” by Joe Shlabotnik is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.