My Lessons in 2022 by Leah

My Lessons in 2022 by Leah - December 2022 Scholarship Essay

In 2022 I learned many lessons the hard way. One is my cross county season this year. Ever since the beginning of my running career, I have always been the best on my team. That all came to a halt when my senior year I was suddenly the third-best runner. This was a very hard thing for me to come to terms with and I started to do even worse at practice and at meets. I was also not being a kind and supporting teammate like I should have been.
The beginning of my senior season was a very hard time for my mental health because I was happy that my teammates were doing well and at the same time, I was sad and confused about why I wasn’t performing as well as them. I am so thankful for my coach, as, in the midst of my struggles, he made sure to remind me that being a leader doesn't mean being the fastest runner, it means you are the most encouraging and loving teammate you can possibly be no matter the circumstances. This was a very valuable lesson, and it really helped me become a better leader and teammate.
This was a great lesson even if I did have to learn it the hard way. I will now forever be an encouraging person even if I'm not doing well or if it’s not for my personal gain.