Congratulations to Yorktown High School senior Braden Reynolds, who recently won the NIAAA Scholar Athlete Essay Competition for Section One.
The contest’s essay topic was: “How High School Athletics Has Impacted My Life.” Braden wrote about how his experience on the cross country team helped him develop his personality and make more friends.
Being on the team “enabled me to come out of my comfort zone. I was more shy when I entered in ninth and tenth grade. After I worked hard, I felt I was able to be a part of the team more and be friendlier with the captains and my other teammates.”
Braden says he enjoys writing and may major in English in college. “For this type of essay, it kind of let me talk about feelings that I hadn’t really talked about before. I think, in general, it lets me be creative.”
The essay contest is organized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Braden will now advance to the New York State competition. That would be followed by a regional competition (northeast) and the national competition.