My name is Addison Kaul, and I'm a 16-year-old, Class of 2028 sophomore at Franklin High School in Franklin, Wisconsin.

 I have been playing basketball for 11 years and have been playing AAU (1on1 Milwaukee) for 3 years.  When I first started getting serious with basketball in 4th grade, I joined the Franklin Sabers Youth Girls Basketball Association. When Covid hit in early 2020, I was not able to rejoin the team for my 5th-grade year until my family was ready to send me back during the pandemic. When I tried out in 6th grade, I unfortunately got cut. I was disappointed in myself and felt that my thriving passion for basketball was not going to become my reality. Ever since 6th grade, I have put in countless hours and hard determination to not only make a point for myself, but to show others what I am capable of. 

In 2021, I joined my old school, the St. Alphonsus Cougars 6th-grade girls basketball team, coached by my father. I went to the gym every night to put up hundreds of shots and worked on my ball handling. I soon became a leader for the team, following up to 8th grade, and ended in the conference in 3rd. 

I didn't let my getting cut stop me from getting an opportunity, so I tried out again for the same team in 7th grade and made the B-team. From all the outside practicing in the gym, I was able to make my way up to the A-team in 8th grade. 

As of 2024-2026, I am on the Junior Varsity (JV)  Franklin High School girls basketball team coached by Karli Selear, who played at Alverno College, and assistant coach Olivia Rangel, who has played at Carroll University. High school has taught me a lot about being a winner and a loser, but it has also taught me to be a great team player with good sportsmanship, who can redirect and teach my teammates good habits. 

My character is taking pride and stepping up to be a leader, communicator, and role model to the younger girls. I choose to work hard each and every day academically and physically, and learn from my previous experiences to be an even better person. As I looked up to big stars such as Michael Jordan and Caitlin Clark growing up, I chose to imagine my shoes in theirs, and that has helped me set an example for the youth girls of Franklin, as I was that young girl who wanted an opportunity to shine my passion on the court. 

I work for the Franklin Youth Recreation Department as a recreational basketball ref for ages K-8th, boys and girls. Being in a ref's position has improved my perception and perspective of growing, learning athletes and the officials who control the court, which truly enlightens and excites me every time I get to work. It has given me an opportunity to teach the younger ages the rights and wrongs of the games, so they can mentally and physically accommodate the style of game to become a high skill level player.

I am a part of the Multi-Cultural club, ECO club, Psychology club, and the National Honor Society, where I can learn to interact with my community and get involved at Franklin High School.