In middle school, my dad printed out two pieces of paper for my brother and me with one word written across the page: effort. That piece of paper hung on the wall in my room for years after as a reminder to give 110%. A significant portion of the goals I’ve strived to achieve and have accomplished throughout my high school career were built off of undertaking each endeavor with attention and purpose. Putting in effort means dedication, perseverance, and, in many cases, self-discovery. My high school journey has been marked by ups and downs, but the ability to continue along my path has driven me toward a point where I can propel my aspirations forward in a new chapter. 

As a freshman, I was idealistic. I entered the old building among others who too had no idea where these next four years would take us. My eyes were quickly opened to all of the possibilities and opportunities that I could pursue throughout my career. My eyes were also opened to the factors few like to discuss. No one prepares you for the difficulties you face head-on. In my time at UAHS, I’ve discovered that not all relationships work, grades fall through, and that you can’t change everything. People will remain fixed, not all subjects will come firsthand, and having everything go your way is unrealistic. At the end of the day, all you can control is yourself—discovering that is the biggest contributor in order to remedy oneself to transform.

So, I’ve learned to be pragmatic. If there’s anything that my time in this community has taught me, it’s that time should not be spent finding the perfect balance. I used to think that I needed to act a certain way to better align myself. These formative years have shown me how to become comfortable in my own skin, regardless of the hardships I’ve dealt with and how they attempted to change my trajectory. The culmination of factors that contributed to this realization narrowed down to the importance of the effort I put into believing in myself. 

It’s easy to become trapped in a mindset of wanting to please others. No one should dictate how you aspire to be and the goals you have for yourself. These four years should be seen as an opportunity to grow as a student, friend, or athlete, and not on the terms of anyone else. Adversity is a strong motivator. Transformation is necessary for growth. It takes a lot to be able to pick yourself up after being knocked down. But putting effort into the aspects of life that make you happy will ultimately put you on top. 

As I reflect on the past four years, I’m proud of the person I’ve become. I’m appreciative of the people, resources, and opportunities that have made me a better individual in the classroom, on the tennis court, and out in the community. The lessons I’ve learned from putting ample effort into the facets of life that inspire me to be the best version of myself will be carried with me in this new chapter of life, and for my time at UAHS I’m grateful. 

Thinking back on the numerous conversations about effort with my dad and that piece of paper on my wall, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come. I’m thankful for the headwinds I’ve faced because they showed me how to be myself. So, next time you see yourself shying away from an opportunity, stressed about a big test, or worried about your performance at an important match, remind yourself to believe in the core of who you are and “go to work.”