My family encouraged me to play because the game teaches good sportsmanship and integrity, and my father could see that my daily practicing was building up my determination to achieve proficiency at something new. Before long, I was one of the regular players and I practiced all day long throughout that summer. I tried out for the school handball team as a freshman but I was too inexperienced to make the team. After another year of regular practice, I tried out for team again the following year and I was genuinely thrilled to find out that my efforts had proven successful. My coach even approached me to tell me that he new I must have practiced extensively because of how much...

It is extremely satisfying to see that my hard work paid off and I intend to channel the same focus to improving further and becoming the best player that I can. Even on days when I do not play particularly well, I never forget how hard I had to work to make the team and that the same steady effort will be necessary for me to become as successful as I can as a competitive player. Once in while, I sit by my window looking at the court across the street and I remind myself how far I have already come as a handball player and it always inspires me to practice as hard and train as diligently as I know that I had to just learn the game and make the team.