Writer's statement: I chose to give my writing piece this title because growing up I've been confident in who I am, but I still let others define me at times. A lot of people have different ideas about the person I should be and the way I should act, and I have listened to them in the past. I was hoping for this title and piece of writing to show the kind of person I am and how I don't have to let other people define me. My dreams are a part of who I am. My piece connects to the pandemic because it has shown me how important my goals are to me and it has made me work harder because I don't have as many distractions. I chose to submit this piece because I feel like it shows my writing and the kind of person I am. I hope the audience will get out of the writing one of the qualities I have when my guard is down.
Future me,
Over the years you have worked really hard to get where you are with swimming and school. You put in a lot of effort to get where you are. You swim with seniors and a coach that cares a lot about you. He is always looking for ways for you to improve. He knows your dreams that you want to do with the sports. He knows that your dream is to be able to swim in college. He knows that you want to travel for meets, so he helps make it possible to follow your dreams. He doesn't think your dreams are silly and encourages you and it has helped get you where you are right now. Just because of your dreams and you working hard, you have been able to swim varsity as a freshman, place in big meets, and make it to high school states (Which is really hard to do). You prove yourself all the time to teammates, peers, family, and friends. You work really hard to reach your dreams.
-Madeline Fossatti