Empowerly

Student profile

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

“You ten over there, put up the nets.  Everyone else has five laps around the gym.  Let’s have a good practice, it is challenge day.” Coach Eric yelled.  “Ethan come over here, I have to talk to you.” “[name of student], you suck.  If you do not want to work hard and learn to play, you might as well quit. You could be really good, but the effort you are putting in is pathetic.  Make your decision to commit to the sport or leave my gym right now.”

I was utterly stunned, never had I been directly confronted about my work ethic, let alone being attacked on one of my hobbies.  I was angry because I felt I was being singled out and harassed for no reason.  I was winning my matches every week and beginning to lead the team in warm-ups and practices.  I yelled back stating my case and he shook his head and walked away. 

[name of High School] for years has been known for its prolific players who religiously qualify and compete for sectional and state titles.  As I biked home from practice, I thought about what my coach had told me and I realized that he was right.  When I began in freshman year, I was terrible.  Like outright atrocious.  I played badminton because I thought it was a fun sport and some of my friends played.  But after long 4 hour practices everyday, I began to improve and soon became one of the top JV players. 

Even then it was a small after school hobby and throughout the year, I found myself going through the motions at practice and not putting full effort into my practice shots and scrimmages. I saw that this bad habit continued even as I moved forward and joined the Varsity team and competed.  

As it remained stuck into my mind, I realized why I never put in maximum effort into the sport.  I had always told myself that I’d never be as good as players who were training since they were 7, so what’s the point of playing?  I gained the feeling that I was not working hard because I was afraid of losing and failing. That night I made a commitment to myself that I would put full effort into my craft and not look back.  I began playing harder and longer, training with my coach and working has hard as I could.  Results started to appear with me winning more matches and even qualifying for sectionals.  I taught myself that through practice, sweat, and sore wrists, I could elevate my game to a higher level. 

As for badminton, I have represented my school for 2 years at SCVALs (Santa Clara Valley Athletics League) and was the team captain my junior year.  I was also the most improved player in my freshman and sophomore year, and was runner-up in MVP votes my junior year.  Next year, I will be looking forward to compete for a sectional and state title as well as continue as team captain.