In the Fall of 2008, I made the commitment to become a sports journalist as a vocation, not just a career. I wanted to enroll in my journalism class at my high school, Montezuma High School, but it was available as a one-time offer to students. That meant I had to wait until my senior year to do so.
I knew what I wanted my first piece to be about ever since I became a high school student. I knew it would grab the attention of my peers (even though they've heard my life story) and hopefully those in my community and the state. That was a longshot goal for me. Thankfully, even a "Hail Mary" works every now and then.
This is the piece which got me my Iowa High School Press Association Columnist of the Year in 2009. I take pride in this piece, and to this day, I still believe it is my best work. Enjoy.
Sept. 29, 2008, Montezuma Blue & White: Trails, hills and blessings, "Open Mind on an Open Trail"
Since this cross country season has begun, I have started to believe in blessings in disguise. Also, as a senior, I wanted to leave my mark as a “parting shot” as all seniors do in any activity that we participate in. Leave Montezuma on a good note.
Things don’t also go out as planned, which is something else that I already knew, but never took to heart until this season. I wanted this season to be perfect. Run in every race and not have to worry about anything, such as injuries. I have gone through injury after injury to my hamstrings.
As this summer has turned to fall, my hamstrings have failed me to stay healthy. Since they can’t stay healthy due to problems that I had in my early childhood, I have had to be careful and sometimes sit out races. This season, unfortunately, brings the same injury problems. The same problems I have had to deal with my entire life. You see, I have cerebral palsy.
I used to go to physical therapy every now and then to see if some of the pain could be alleviated. The pain went away, only for a temporary period of time, however. The therapist that I worked with kept telling me that I shouldn’t be running anymore. What she kept telling me all that time inspired me to run with the pain. I didn’t want to at first, but there were signs that were telling me I knew that I had to. Running is my life.
Should I be running today? No, probably not, but it’s the sport itself that drives me to go forward. It is the only sport in high school athletics that you are not only facing another opponent, but you are facing yourself, too. Fighting through the painful hills, the weather and every other element makes the sport unique and special to me. Cross country is my favorite sport, because it lets me show who I am as a person and lets me display my character.
I wanted to leave my mark by making SICL All-Conference. I did not meet that goal as a couple of my teammates have, but I’m just fine with where I’m at. I would love the reward of being one of the best runners in the area. I have won my battle already. I don’t need the glamour of being named one of the best. To me, I have beaten the odds and really have won.
I could be in a wheelchair or be in a worse situation. I’m glad I’m not.
You know what else I’m glad about?
There are blessings in disguise even in the littlest things.
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