Sports
How Sports Have Shaped My Growth & Leadership
Sports have been a source of connection and support for me, as well as provided me with an environment to practice and master many life skills. I know that applying these skills in my life, education, and career will allow me to grow in my leadership skills.
Gymnastics
This is where my gymnastics journey began, attending preschool classes with my friend Samantha at the Magdalena Ecke YMCA. Full circle, I am now employed as a preschool gymnastics coach at the same gym!
While most of my gymnastics career has been with the YMCA, some of my training was spent at the TRC (The Rolling Club) gym. I am incredibly thankful for everyone I met along the way: friends, coaches, and teammates.
Being able to compete in meets was always super exciting. I loved being able to experience these competitions with my teammates and coaches because it pushed me to become focused under pressure and still have a good time!
At the end of every gymnastics season, we gather for our annual banquet to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments. Not only do we celebrate the accomplishments of our team, but individual awards are given out as well. This particular award was given to me in honor of our beloved coach Lydia who passed away. This award is given out to the athlete who embodies what Lydia represents, someone who is “fearless, loyal, and compassionate” to all.
Gymnastics brought me some of my closest friends and people with whom I share much of life’s ups and downs with together. I am so lucky to be able to call them a second family!
Learning to twist for a half rotation
Learning to flip a vault (called a Tsuk).
Learning how to do giants.
Double back drill for vault.
Golf
With gymnastics coming to a close for me, I decided to try out for the SDA girls golf team! I am now a part of the varsity team and have enjoyed playing at Encinitas Ranch with all my teammates. I even shot an eagle in my first round (2 under par)!
Goat hill is one of my favorite places to go golfing because I can bring Jimmy as well!
I’ve always followed golf as my stepdad has been a caddy on the PGA tour for 20+ years and my dad plays every weekend. Only recently did I start to play myself.
A photo of me just after getting my first eagle!
More recent photos from my high school golf team.
Tennis
Tennis is another sport that I’ve always loved. I was 3 years old when I first started playing tennis, and enjoy being able to play with friends and family for fun!