Jumping Into a New Generation by Abby

Jumping Into a New Generation by Abby - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

When most people think of jump rope, they envision elementary school and jumping double dutch during recess. However, when I think about jump rope, I think about the amazing opportunities and experiences I have had through the sport of competitive jump rope. I am a part of the YMCA Super Skippers, a competitive jump rope team based out of my hometown in Cary, NC. We compete in many national and international competitions where I have won multiple awards throughout the years. Having been a Super Skipper for 8 years now, I have been given the opportunity to make lifetime memories. My favorite opportunity was when I was given the chance to jump rope in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in both 2013 and 2015. The Macy’s Parade was such an exciting experience, and I am so thankful to have been given this amazing opportunity to participate in such an iconic event.
Jump rope has shaped me in so many different ways and I am so thankful to god for showing me this sport. Because of jump rope I now have a skill that I will be able to use for a lifetime. I am so fortunate to have this skill and I want to be able to share it with others in my community. With my jump rope team I am able to teach camps and clinics to kids who want to grow up to be just like me and nothing makes me happier than that. Teaching these clinics and camps has inspired me to start a jump rope team when I get older. I want to inspire kids around me to live a healthy lifestyle and be able to show them how jump rope can do that. I also want to be able to show kids the beauty of jump rope, how far it can take you, and how it can change your life. I have been fortunate enough to have had amazing coaches and they’ve helped coach me to succeed farther than I could ever imagine. It is time for me to return the favor and inspire the new generation of jumpers.