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My Brother's Birthday
The birth of my brother had a massive impact on my life. He has been part of my life for more than 15 years. We've had our fair share of arguments and brawls, but the majority of the time we have a lot of fun together. We spend nearly everyday together and he has a large influence on my actions. I want to set a good example so that he can look up to me and feel comfortable to ask me questions about being an adolescent. High school is hard and if I can make it easier for him I will. -
My 1st day of School
My first day of school was incredibly nerve-racking. I had to get on a big, daunting yellow bus with a bunch of people I barely knew and after that I had to spend four hours in a room with a bunch of strangers. But, I over came this obstacle with a little trick my parents taught me. To brake the day up into sections and when a section is done you check that off. This helped a lot when I was younger because I was so nervous I didn't know what to do. I still use this technique to this day. -
1st Yankee game
I went to the Yankee game with my father for the first time shortly after my birthday in 2008. The atmosphere was electric. Everybody was cheering and high- fiving and chanting, "Lets go Yankees!" My father bought me cotton candy and soda and we watched the game for hours. The Yankees won finally won in extra innings.This was a defining moment in my life because this event began to solidify my relationship with my father. We love baseball and this was something we built our relationship on. -
I started to wrestle.
Even though I didn't want to, my father convinced me to wrestle. He told me his story about why he started wrestling and that spoke to me because we were both in a similar situation. We were both quite and a little insecure. It was hard for my dad to make friends, but wrestling gave him a connection with other kids; wrestling did the same thing for me. http://fortiuswrestling.com/10-reasons-why-kids-should-wrestle/ -
Undefeated 8th grade modified wrestling season
This was a significant event because this was the first time where I saw my determination and effort pay off. I practiced for hours and hours. Learning new moves and perfecting old ones. On the mat, its only you and your opponent out there. Its a new kind of feeling, an odd one, but its somewhat comforting. Knowing that my fate is in my hands drives me to perform better and better each time I get on the mat. Wrestling has helped me realize that I can do anything I put my mind to. -
Cut from the modified baseball team
Being cut from the baseball team in eighth grade took a chunk out of my confidence. It really took me back a few steps because I had such a great summer ball season and I assumed that that would carry over to my tryouts. But, I was wrong. The coach chose to cut me because I didn't perform as well as I usually did. The coach didn't know how good of a player I was and ended up picking someone else. This experience showed me that even though I knew I was good the coaches didn't. I had to show them -
1st day of high school.
My first day of high school hit me like a freight train. I didn't realize how quickly I grew up until the moment I walked into those doors. I thought to myself, "wow I'll be a senior in a few years." And, what can only amount to as a quick blink, I was walking into those same doors with my younger brother, as a senior. That first day of school was a reality check for me. That this was my time to focus and really do my best academically because I knew that my performance here will dictate my life -
Varsity Wrestling Team
The first day of wrestling practice in the high school was uncomfortable. I barely knew anyone and I was so intimidated by all the upperclassmen. I barely knew anyone and was basically alone from 3-5 everyday. One day, coach pulled me aside and told me I was going to be pulled up from the jv team to be on the varsity team. At first I was nervous. Every would expect so much from me and I didn't know if I could deliver. But, I accepted the challenge because that was the right thing to do. -
Cut from JV Baseball
I worked incredibly hard the winter leading up to the baseball season. I wanted to be on the brewster baseball team so bad. I knew I belonged and I knew I should've made it last year and that's why I was so driven to succeed that year. I took batting lessons in Connecticut and I hit balls in the batting cage everyday after school. When those fateful few days finally came I felt prepared and confident. Unfortunately, I was let down again. Completely crushed, I debated even trying out next year. -
Lost my varsity spot
As a sophmore I was more confident than I was as a freshman being on the wrestling team. I was motivated to shine as one of the better underclassmen on the team and wanted to provide for the varsity team. My first couple of matches went great, I started my season 3-0 on varsity. But, a combination of catching the flu and getting ring worm set me back two weeks. I was out of shape and vulnerable. An underclassmen wrestled me for my spot and I lost. I learned sometimes you just get bad luck. -
Turning 16
This was significant because I felt a new sense of freedom. My parents recognized this milestone and were more lenient with some of my rules. I was allowed to stay up later, I could go out late with my friends, go to parties, etc. I was ecstatic and I loved all the trust my parents were giving me. But, I realized all this trust in me meant more responsibilities and higher expectations. My actions couldn't be excused because of my age anymore. I was held accountable for my actions. -
Meeting Sam
Sam has had a huge, positive, impact on my life at a very difficult time. Mid way through my junior year all the high school stereotypes began to appear. People were crueler, needy for attention, desire for popularity and it was all kind of sad. One of my closer friends was swayed by peer pressure and I was very disappointed in him and we drifted apart. I felt alone. But, I met Sam shortly after and she filled that gap and shifted my attention from the shallow tendencies of high schoolers. -
Getting my license
This event was similar to my sixteenth birthday. It increased my sense of freedom, but was also a painful reminder that I was rapidly approaching adulthood. Getting my license was a sign that I wouldn't be able to live under my parents' wing for much longer. I knew that from a year from now I'd be spending my last summer as a kid. Leaving my home for months is a scary thought. It felt like yesterday when I walked into Brewster High School for the first time, now it'll be my last time. -
Friends leave for college http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/high_school_years_797770
It was difficult seeing my friends go to college this past summer. We've been best friends for years, through thick and thin. We would come home after elementary school and play in the cul de sac until dusk. We continued this tradition for years to come. Knowing that they're miles and miles away and hours from home is hard, but I know that I'll have my friends and Sam to be able to fill that gap and keep my mind off of it. I, too, will be making my journey to college eventually, but not yet. -
Summer Vacation to Utah http://www.sorrelriver.com/
My trip to Utah with my family was an experience I'll never forget. I know my family and I grew closer after this adventure. Out where we stayed, there wasn't a lot of cellular service out there so electronics were basically useless. We were forced to engage with one another and explore the neighboring wilderness. While gazing out from atop a cliff, I acquired a whole new perspective on life. I realize that the world is very large and it all doesn't revolve around Brewster High School.
