We're All New Here

Has anyone ever been new on a sports team? Well fear not fellow humans because I, too, have had that nerve-wracking experience! It began as a normal day, other than the fact that it was my birthday, but oh did that change. About a month earlier, I had signed up for the team. One week later, I found out I had gotten on the team. Whoopie (is what I would say if I wasn't scared out of my mind.) Okay, recap over. 

When I arrived at the field after a 10 minute drive, I had calmed myself down. Then I saw the other people on my team. It did not help. I felt ner-cited (nervous and exited.) The second I stepped on the field I knew I was where I was supposed to be. Still, that did not stop me from being a nervous wreck. I met the coach: a tall, British guy. He was nice. After everyone had arrived, we all introduced ourselves. It was going well until it was my turn. Now, you have to understand I am a very outgoing person. I can make friends really quickly. But the fact I was going to be with these people for a whole season, and they were all probably better than me, was just nerve-wracking. After preparing myself for a brief moment, I decided to play it cool (as best as I could) and uttered these words: “My name is Ray and I like fruit and art.” Yep. Smooth. I got a few looks but I didn’t mind. At least I said something instead of freezing up! I was proud. Not as proud as I would become later though. A few more people introduced themselves and we did some drills. But my favorite was the 1v2. It was to practice being outnumbered. Keep in mind all of these girls had been on a team before. I was the odd one out. As anyone who has played on a team before should know, there are always 2 best players. It was clear who they were on this team. I was up against both of them. You have to score 3 goals to win. It was a tough, sweaty 4 minutes, but I did it. I beat them 3-0!

I now felt more of the “cited” part of ner-cited. Although I still felt more of the “cited” part now, I still did not have any friends. But you know what? It did not bother me as much. I had more confidence in myself. And with that attitude, I made 3 friends at the next practice. And 5 at the next. And at the 3rd I had practically taken over the team!  I now leave you with telling you that you can do anything. Good luck trying to beat that inspirational speech! 

— Ray K. L.

Photo: Miles E. 

About a year ago, I moved from my home in New York City, New York to Austin, Texas and a new school called St. Andrew’s. I was not prepared for what was to come. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic and my parents wanted to get away from the virus. My parents also wanted me to experience moving. Plus, my dad had lived in New York for 25 years and wanted to move. My school in New York was online and my parents thought Austin had less COVID-19 cases which led them to believe that schools in Austin would shortly switch to in-person school. Overall, my parents thought Austin was beautiful and it was a great time to move. 

I was MISERABLE when I found out that I was going to move. Little did I know that I was going to have a great time. My parents said we probably would not move, but sadly, we ended up moving. Before I moved, I did an interview for a school in Austin called St. Andrew’s. I got in but was not excited at all. A few months later, I arrived in Austin. I was really nervous and thought I would not make friends. At least I had a dog, 2 brothers, and a sister that kept me comfortable. St. Andrew’s, the school I got into, was nice enough to pair me up with a kid they thought I’d like based on what I said during the interview. I did a Zoom call with him and then had an in-person playdate with him in Austin. He eventually became my friend, but I still prayed that I could go back to New York. A month later, school started and it was online, but my parents were right. St. Andrew’s shortly switched to in-person learning. I still barely knew anyone. My mom wanted my brother and I to make friends, so she signed us up for a football team with kids in my grade. At first, they were not my friends, but surprisingly they started inviting me to playdates and added me to a group chat with them. I clearly remembered my feelings change. Finally, I did not feel so lonely anymore. I was starting to enjoy Austin, and I went from feeling miserable to feeling happy.

I still visit New York every once in a while. I learned a lot about myself during this “new” experience. I learned that I could make friends and I was capable of almost anything if I set my mind to it. I can still miss New York and enjoy Austin at the same time. I still keep in touch with my friends from New York by texting and calling. If you end up in a “new” experience, just make the best of it. If you do, you are more likely to have fun. Moving to Austin was hard, but I’m glad I was able to have fun. 

— Andrew L. 

Photo: Andrew L.