One Event Changed Who I am Today and Forever by Reignah

One Event Changed Who I am Today and Forever by Reignah - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

I didn’t know my personal growth would be prompted by an experience that wasn’t mine.

There I am casually waiting for my chicken sandwich when I notice an old friend. We used to play co-ed basketball together in elementary school and we hadn’t seen each other since seventh grade. We were both sophomores at that time. An old friend you see a spark and light in their eyes but it looked like he had been crying. He said that he had a heart condition and it was causing him trouble during his practices and games. He had totally passed out during one of his games that was right before he went to the doctor.

So, the doctor told him he would never be able to play basketball again. That made my heart sink. All of the hard work, scholarships, parental support, and patience couldn’t keep his dream alive. So why am I telling this story? He made me think for a long time how we take life for granted. I know it sounds cliche, but for me, his story played a bigger part in my life.

I had stopped playing basketball when I went to high school because I didn’t feel that the hard work was worth my time anymore even though I had the potential to be a great high school athlete. I never had to work hard for much of anything in life, especially sports, because I had been playing since I was seven years old. If someone tried to push me to be better I didn’t listen to them. That’s what caused me to quit, hoping that I wouldn’t have to deal with my personal issues if I just avoided them. But no…. Even after I quit I always wanted to play but held back because I doubted my abilities. I didn't have that extra push for myself that my dad had used trying to help me succeed.

Hearing my friend’s story in a weird way made me want to play again. It started a little spark and then a big flame. I couldn’t stop hearing him and it hurt to leave something that I love (basketball) forever. It drove me to work harder in school and actually go to the gym with a ball and practice. I realized that when my dad would push me he was only trying to help me because he loved me. I realized that it’s ok to admit that I was wrong about certain things and to correct and go back to things that I really wanted to do. I felt like I had moved to another space in my life after a while of feeling lost and distant from sports even though I start running track freshman year.

Now, I appreciate that I still have the opportunity to play in good health. I appreciate my coaches, teammates, family, and friends because I know they are the ones that are going to push me to get to the next level in whatever I decide to do.