Personal Statement : My Personal Outlook On My Life

My vision as an undergraduate student of the Haskayne School of Business (HSB) is to become a well-rounded influential leader and equip myself with a set of skills and values that will enhance me as an individual in my career. Thus, my goal is to succeed academically and socially, graduating with a distinction and having built strong relationships.

It is easily said that my junior year of high school was my least favorite year due to my injury. While I watched my friends compete and my teammates play, I was seriously debating about whether or not to return back to basketball, show choir, and color guard. I thought that I would not be

In physical education we were put to do the mile I was always second to last if not last I wasnt made fun of but I didnt really good about myself. As the years went on I was still fat couldn’t do anything until sophomore year of high school is where it all changed. I remember it quite clearly as if it was yesterday I was sitting in my math class when one of classmates had large number pinned to his bag and a uniform on that hadn’t seen before. That's when I got curious and asked what sport was all this for he then explained it was for cross country and that I should join it would be fun. It turns out that the season was about to end so it was to late to join so I had to wait for next year so I did. I went my junior in the summer since that's when they practiced and ran for the first time. After this first run I thought I was going to literally die and didn't want to this any more and to top it off all the guy runners who I thought that were slow beat one by one. This is where I decided I wasn't going to be last or lose a race to anyone. I practiced the whole year and did track top it off. Now the summer of my senior year was very motivational since I got up early ran and did this everyday till school started to be the best of my high school. Well the season would begin and I was breaking my school records and receiving medals from invitationals and

When I set my mind to something, I am determined to complete it no matter what it costs me. As stated earlier, I began to love running. Typically, I would come back from one of my runs feeling refreshed, but one day, I began to feel a sharp pain in my hip. I ignored it and continued on, but as time passed, the pain only grew and grew until it affected my walking. Although all the signs were there, I refused to believe that I had an injury and continued to pursue a faster mile time.

While almost everything in my life changed that winter I still had my love of running, and although I traded in my woods for a small fenced in yard I also traded in freezing weather for the beautiful sunny South Florida perfect for year-round sports. The first chance I got I tried out for my local travel soccer team, not at all expecting the different level of discipline and talent from my old team to this new one and I was extremely intimidated. The coach gave me a position and as I nervously jogged to my position on the field I knew I was no longer the star player. I dribbled and passed the ball slowly growing into a rhythm, when my opportunity to

In sixth grade I quit the school band in the middle of my third year to join Running Club. The goal of Running Club was to run a 5k after weeks of practice and I accepted the challenge. Throughout the duration of training, I would find the long runs consistently demanding and a test to my motivation to persevere in the club. One of the coaches, Miss. Ames, was my teacher from the previous year and she ran with me during practice. She constantly encouraged me to push myself a little more every run and to keep practicing. I was frustrated with my performance, but Miss. Ames continued to encourage me. Nevertheless, preparing for that 5k was an eye-opening and an overall amazing experience.

Recently, I have had to reevaluate my idea of success. In September, I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome in all eight muscle compartments in my calves. Compartment Syndrome is when pressure builds up in the muscle, either from muscle growing too quickly or from the surrounding tissue being too tight. This causes the oxygen supply to be cut off and nerves to be compacted, causing nerve damage. Because I had Compartment’s for years without knowing what was wrong, it had reached dangerous levels where I had to have four surgeries so I would not lose all feeling and potentially use of my legs. Due to knowingly letting this go on for so long and the way the muscle heals after the surgeries, there was a chance I would never be able to run again, though neither my parents nor doctors would say this to me. Not everyone that had Compartment’s to the degree that I had were able to regain full mobility to the degree they had. This was a frightening possibility for me, because so much of my identity revolves around being active, from the sports I do to after school activities, to having a job that I actually enjoy.

During my sophomore year of highschool, I was running track and I had a promising season in front of me. However, I was unable to reach my goals. I was forced to quit running for the remained of the school year due to a knee injury. The muscles holding my knee caps in place were not developed enough, and it was causing me great pain. After quitting track, I went into physical therapy. I was in physical therapy for over a month and I then had to continue to strengthen my legs. The next school year I was still facing the same problem, only smaller. Now, around two years later, I have finally overcome this problem and I am completely healthy. The injury was very frustrating, however, I put in the work and I am finally back to one hundred percent. I would not say that I’m glad the injury happened, however, I did learn the value of continuous hard work because of the

Alongside that, being an athlete, I had the typical sprain of the ankle or weak joint that would I need physical therapy to heal. Consequently physical therapy was not a new or an alarming concept to me. I went to physical therapy for a duration of one year, in terms of my hips. I attended three times a week after my surgery. Rolling my wheelchair in the front door and hearing my physical therapist say my name put a grin on my face that was from ear to ear. Each little milestone was colossal for me, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Transferring from the wheelchair to the walker, then from the walker to crutches, from two crutches to one, then walking, and the substantial one was running. My physical therapist made sure that I understood everything that happened to me and each step that we took in my recovery process. After I completed my physical therapy and could return to sports; if I had any questions or concerns, he was always there. I aspire to be that person for other people. I desire to guide others down the right recovery path, and be their light at the end of the

Each of the four years I have been in college has brought a unique challenge and opportunity for growth. For two and half years I ran year-round on the cross country and track team, until I realized I was forcing myself to run eight to sixteen miles a day. That, and the fear that I missing out on other opportunities, resulted in me giving up the sport I enjoyed for over eight years. I do not regret the decision though. I am still able to run and pursue physical fitness through many other enjoyable means such as long bike rides, tennis and hiking.

When I started running as a freshman, I made a goal that in junior year, I would go to state as a individual. I had been dealing with slight asthma and a side ache problem, but still fighting for a place in the top twenty in our 1A bi-district.

My four years on the cross country team taught me so much more than how to run. I learned some of the most valuable lessons of my life through cross country. Most years, we had a quote on the back of our game day shirts. One of my favorite quotes read, “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” This quote is not only relevant to running but to life as well. Every person will experience pain in their lives just as every person will experience pain while running and training. Suffering is often a choice. It can easily be self-inflicted, and, just as easily, be avoided. This quote encouraged me to push through

It was October 2016 of my junior year, right in the heart of the Cross Country season. Cross Country was fun and team was doing great, but I was looking forward to the upcoming winter track season. High jump is where it is at and that is where I wanted to be and then it happened… I went down and my ankle was caught underneath me and twisted. I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but I was hurt. I was on the ground, in pain as other racers passed me. I was able to get to the finish it wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t fast, but I did it.

Running was a part of my life between 2014 and 2016, when I was still a young middle school kid. I tried out for the track team, and I ran for my first time in March. Track and Field was a new experience for me, I had

I have a wide range of skills and knowledge that I have acquired throughout my personal and professional life. I can communicate with different types of people regardless of age, race or class. I have accessed a huge range of courses that have enabled me to develop interpersonal skills including negotiation and dealing with different types of people and personalities. I also have the knowledge, drive and enthusiasm to work alone when required as I am self-motivated and can meet targets and deadlines. I believe that challenges are best met positively by developing and improving knowledge and skills and through professional reflective dialogue that leads to change. I am very hard-working and reliable. I work well under pressure achieving a high standard of work. I have practical and organisational skills and I can find solutions to problems and face challenges confidently.