Jade's Story

I have a passion for demonstrating teamwork and leadership with my peers, which is shown through my participation in various sports programs, specifically softball. Softball became a sanctuary for me in middle school when I began to head down a destructive path. I was reeling from the loss of a family member and coped with my grief by being outwardly defiant towards adults and my peers. I did not know how to process my emotions and desperately hoped to regain some form of control in my life. Softball provided that structure for me.

As a become more familiar with the game, I noticed a change in my behavior. I felt as though I had regained the control that I had lost before. I also had a new sense of purpose and a more real connection to my teammates. I realized that the family member I lost would be proud of the work that I was doing with my team, which therefore gave me a reason to live. Softball is similar to counseling for me: I go, play, learn, and nothing else matters or concerns me in the world.

Having the opportunity to attend Nike Softball Training Camp will offer new insights, lessons and understandings about the game of softball and my role as a member of a team. This will give me the opportunity to be a part of a larger community. Additionally, I am still a novice in the game and I have several rules to learn. This program will not only improve my skills in the field of softball but also increase my ability to think critically. The game challenges you to make certain decisions under pressure in a limited amount of time, a life skill I know will be helpful in the future.