Avery B.
If you’re reading this, never let others' opinions stop you from doing what you love.
Growing up, I was always involved in something. I played almost every sport you could think of, from swimming to softball to cross country, but softball stuck with me the longest. My older sister, Aden, was a star player and my biggest role model, so naturally I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I loved the sport, but the activity that truly had my heart was performing arts.
I started dancing school at just three years old, took voice lessons, and performed in countless musicals and plays. Theater wasn’t just a hobby; it felt like my whole world in the best way. My dream for as long as I can remember was to star on Broadway, and I even traveled to New York City on weekends for acting classes and auditions, determined to make that dream a reality.
When I started high school, though, everything shifted. I felt pressure to focus on my grades, make friends, and adjust to a completely new environment. While I stayed involved in choir and the school musical, the stress of freshman year slowly dimmed some of the passion I once had for theater. Halfway through the year, I realized I didn’t feel like I truly belonged anywhere. I had hoped the musical would fill that missing piece, but I still felt disconnected.
Thankfully, I still had my sister at school. She was a senior who was deeply involved, as a member of the cross country team and the captain and starting catcher of the softball team. Many people knew me as “Aden’s little sister,” a title I was very proud of. One morning, she hosted a preseason brunch for her softball team and invited me to come hang out. During the brunch, I unexpectedly felt something I hadn’t felt all year: a sense of community. It reminded me of the bond I once had through theater.
I saw this as my chance to be a part of something, but I knew my skills weren’t at the same level as the girls who had continued playing, so I didn’t think joining the team was realistic. However, one of the girls suggested I become the team manager, so that way, I could attend practices and games without actually playing. I decided to take the chance, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The team and coaches welcomed me with open arms, never made me feel like an outsider, and treated me as a part of the team even though I didn’t actually contribute on the field. I learned how to record the team’s stats and even developed a love for the sport aside from the social aspect of my job.
I did this for all four years and loved every second of it, but I was often questioned as to why I was “just the team manager” or would hear people making fun of it. At times, their comments hurt, but I never once considered quitting, because no one else could understand how much that team meant to me. It gave me confidence, friendship, and a place where I truly belonged.
Looking back, I realize that fulfillment doesn’t always look the way you expect it to. Sometimes the role you never planned on taking becomes the one that shapes you the most. And no matter what others may say, you should never let their opinions stop you from doing what makes you feel at home.
Avery B., Syracuse University
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