When I was in eighth grade, I noticed that there wasn’t a volleyball league for girls in our area. Since so many of us loved playing volleyball at recess, and some of us even took volleyball classes together, I thought there would be a lot of interest in starting one. I was right!
To get the league started, I reached out to students of different schools to see if they would be interested. If they were, I emailed their athletic directors and explained that we wanted to create a league and needed at least four teams. The process was not always easy. Instead of giving up, I told myself that I had to make it happen, and I did!
Throughout the process, I kept Mr. Miller updated about which schools were interested and which were not. I also shared contact information for the athletic directors so we could continue building the league together.
One of the most exciting parts was seeing how supportive people were. Parents, teachers, and students of different schools and communities encouraged me every step of the way. Their enthusiasm made me believe that this league could really become a reality.
Hearing that the league was officially starting was a full-circle moment. As an eighth grader in my final year at YHT, it felt amazing to know that something I worked so hard on was becoming a reality. Even after I graduate, a small part of me will always remain at YHT because I helped create something that future students will enjoy.
Being part of the team this year was so much fun. I was proud to see all of the hard work pay off. The league was a success, and HANC has already joined for next year. It makes me happy to know that even more students will have the opportunity to play this exciting sport.
Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll come back to YHT as an assistant volleyball coach, just like Sara Schilowitz, and tell the next generation of players how it all started!