Thank you for proving to me that balance in life is key. I could have focused all of my time and effort on school and my classes, but I quickly learned that academics can only teach you so much. Some lessons are better learned on the diamond. We may learn not to dive on the line and to call the ball before we collide with a teammate, but I also learned how to make decisions under pressure and how to fulfill my role to the best of my ability.

Thank you, softball, for bringing me a team full of amazing young women who came from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, who brought different perspectives with them to Augie, and who shaped me into the best teammate I could be. You taught me that it is possible for a group of individuals to achieve goals larger than anyone could have imagined. It takes a whole new level of communication, trust, and respect.

Thank you for fostering my growth as a servant leader, to be able to put the needs of my teammates above my own, and to see the value in doing so. It did not matter how many buckets I hit outside of practice, but rather how many teammates I was able to bring into the hitting building with me. Through our service to each other, my teammates and I were able to focus on our relationships, the process, and our growth on and off the field. I will continue relying on this experience to shape the way I serve as a medical student and future physician.

Thank you, softball, for bringing into my life mentors who have guided me thus far and will continue to guide me through life. You have shown me the importance of strong female leaders and the effect they can have on young female student athletes. I will be forever indebted to my coaches, my athletic trainer, and my associate athletic director for sharing their wisdom and showing me that women can truly do it all. They have led not only through their voices, but by example which carries even more weight. I strive to serve future generations as they have served and will continue to serve me.

And ultimately, thank you for fostering a new level of resilience, persistence, and determination within myself. Yes, you were fun and still are, but you were also very frustrating and difficult at times. The injuries seemed to pile up, but I learned to get up each time and find a way to contribute to my team. It took a lot of help, so thank you for fostering a sense of vulnerability within me and allowing me to reach a new level with my relationships.

As I look ahead, I realize that these traits will take me the farthest. Life always finds a way to knock us down, but we keep getting up. After every strike out, what do we do? We keep walking back up to that plate knowing that our preparation is there and our people are behind us.