How Sports Have Changed the Lives of NRHS Graduates
By Jessica Singh ('22)
Participation in sports is as physically intensive as it is time-consuming, especially as a student-athlete. However, it is a gratifying experience to reap the long-term benefits of committing to a sport. I was fortunate enough to speak to four seniors who are student-athletes. They reflected on their experiences in their sports and what they had learned while playing for NRHS.
David Joseph (‘22) is on the varsity track team at NRHS and reflected that the sport has impacted him positively. “I got a new sense of confidence from it that I didn’t have before. The better I got, the more confident I felt!” said Joseph.
He also said that the sport improved his leadership skills, as he is the current captain of the track team. Joseph offered another bit of advice, “Your school is just as important as your sport.”
As a varsity athlete, Indirah Jean-Baptiste Ridore (‘22) says that her relationship with sports has changed throughout the years. She played basketball until 8th grade before deciding to switch to Cheer. She said, “I still do love basketball; but it began to feel like a chore. I didn’t enjoy it like I used to, and dreaded going to practice. Cheer has been the opposite. It allowed me to find my voice and become a stronger team leader. There were many new skills I learned and bonds I formed.”
Jean-Baptiste Ridore explains how sports have made an impact on her life, “They have helped me step out of my comfort zone, learn how to be a leader as well as a team player, multitask, and stay focused on long term goals.” Overall, she says she is glad that she has been playing sports her whole life. “I cherish my years as a student-athlete, and it’s bittersweet to see them come to an end.”
Juan Munguia (‘22) also explains the positive impact sports have had on his life. He says, “I grew up playing soccer and I made so many friends and met so many great people through the beautiful game. It’s helped me get through tough times and has made me so many core memories.”
Munguia reflects on how sports have made him a better student, “During the day, I have extra motivation to get things done.” He also explains his leadership experience from playing soccer. “When the team needed a leader, I would step up and do the best I could. Soccer overall has filled me with a winning mentality; not just with sports, but for life and I’m very grateful for that.”
Neive Fausel (‘22) plays both volleyball and basketball and feels that sports have had a major impact on her life. She says, “Sports have given me lifetime friends and memories I will cherish forever. Sports have also taught me many things and definitely brought me out of my comfort zone and helped me become part of the person I am today.”
Fausel reflects on the impact sports has had on her schoolwork. “As a student, sports always had me up late studying after getting home from practices. But they also made me keep my grades up and want to accelerate not just as an athlete but as a student too,” Fausel said. “Sports also helped me grow as a person and helped me to become a leader on the court/off the court and be a person my teammates could put their trust in and become a team captain. They have taught me to never give up and to always get back up after falling down.” Reflecting on her athletic experience at NRHS, she says that it is unfortunate that she only got four years to pursue something she loved doing, but really, that is what made it even more special. Fausel said, “I will definitely miss my teams next year, but I will love them forever!”
Cover photo courtesy of Lohud