I want to highlight my coaches because they have led me to where I am today as an athlete. Coaches leave an impact on an athlete's life, and sometimes it is not always a positive one. I am so blessed and thankful to say that I have had coaches who have truly invested their time and energy into me. I have been to Chicago, California, and Virginia for last-chance meets while trying to qualify for nationals. They have given me every opportunity to get me to the next level of competition. They care about my life in and out of track.
A coach who cares for the athlete as a whole is one who makes a lasting impact. I am grateful to say that God has placed coaches in my life who exude this kind of coaching. There aren’t enough words to describe how thankful I am.
Something that I have truly valued is how much time and effort the professors invest in their students. As a kinesiology major, I have had the opportunity to have Dr. [Jordan] Schools and Dr. [Wayne] Jacobs as my professors since my freshman year. These two professors have impacted my life in various ways. Knowing that your professors pray for you and care about you is a feeling that reflects the love of Christ. At the beginning of every class period, these professors pray before they start their lecture. They have modeled how to live out their faith and have encouraged me to continue to grow closer to Christ in my actions as well as my vocation. Having professors who truly care about education and love their students as their own made a significant impact on my learning.
