My name is Stacie and I am a student athlete at North Wilkes High School. I am currently a junior and I participate in volleyball, softball and winter track. Even though my season and school year were cut short I am forever grateful for the past semesters and seasons I have been able to spend learning and playing for North Wilkes. Everyday I looked forward to practice or our next game. I even miss the pregame butterflies and I don't know how else to describe the feeling besides a different kind of homesick. Being part of a team is something I will always cherish and I continue to learn and grow from. And if I have learned anything from this situation it is to never take any of that for granted because you'll miss it the most when it's taken away. Sports were a huge part of my life and I'm hoping to get that back next year. Online learning is definitely not a welcome transition but a necessary one. I work just as hard if not even harder to make sure I am ensuring a successful future for myself, even in a non traditional learning environment. I try to look at it as an opportunity rather than a nuisance. I miss you North Wilkes High school;I hope to see you soon.
Hello. My name is Anna. I am a senior at North Wilkes High School. This year has been one for the history books… literally. Due to a worldwide pandemic of a deadly virus, my senior year has been cut short. I am currently in my third week of no school and we have just begun participating in online learning. I would have never thought that the last time I walked the hallways of North Wilkes could have been my last. As I look back on my four years in high school, some of my most precious memories come from sports. I have been a member of a state-runner up basketball team and a member of a (not so victorious) cross country team. Despite the blood, sweat, and tears shed during the season, there is nothing that compares to the friendships and memories I have made playing these two sports. From the long bus rides to the matching sweatsuits, to every win and even every loss, both sports have not only taught me life lessons, but also gave me a second family. Those memories I will cherish forever and they will always give me a reason to look back on my high school career and smile. If I could give one piece of advice to the underclassmen, it would be to not take these four years for granted. You don’t realize how much you will miss it until it is gone. It has only been two months since my basketball season ended and I miss the nerves that ran through my body before every game, I miss the crowd in our home stands on Friday nights, and I miss hugging every one of my teammates before running out onto the court. Play every game like it's your last, make every memory count, and cherish every time you walk down the hallways, because before you know it, it will be your last.
Many people believe that athletics are primarily a fun past time with very little usable benefit for an athlete that no longer participates in a sport. What these people don’t understand is the long term effects that sports have on the players. Most individuals can say that their sports taught them time management, group cooperation, and discipline. For me, there is one that has affected me more than the rest. It would have to be dedication. Not only is the athlete dedicated to the sport, but also to their team and overall athletic program. True dedication generally ends with a very positive outcome. This type of commitment can be helpful in the future by establishing that mindset of being able to work towards a goal without giving up. Whether it is personal growth or winning a game, dedication is a major factor in sports that will help prepare an athlete for their future.
Hello my name is Cole and I am a senior and student athlete here at North Wilkes. I have been playing sports for as long as I can remember and they have always had a huge influence over me. Sports and being part of a team that's more like a family has taught me so many valuable life lessons that I believe no one or nothing else could ever teach me. Such lessons include discipline, the ability to overcome adversity, comradery, sportsmanship, and the improvement of character on and off the field. I have played football for all 4 years and was all conference offensive line and defensive line this year. I played baseball my freshman year, track for 3 years and indoor track this last year. I was all county last year in outdoor shot and this year I was first in our conference for indoor shot.
I take pride in my athletics but at the end of the day what matters is my academics. I am proud to say that I am an all honors straight-A student that has taken both AP classes as well as CCP courses through the community college. As a senior it is a very stressful and a tough year but at the same time the most exciting. I'm getting ready to decide where I'm going to college what I might major or minor in, as well as the chance to play collegiate football is insane and has been one of my dreams for ever. It's hard to believe in about 3-4 months I will be a high school graduate. Just thinking about it and thinking about the memories and accomplishments that I have made here is just heartbreaking knowing this is my last year here. It's sad knowing I will not be playing with my team again but I believe I will always have the support of VIKING COUNTRY and for the opportunity to play and learn here is honestly the best thing ever. There have been times in my life where I have questioned why I do what I do. Balancing three sports and trying to do well in school are not always easy and sometimes the stress can seem like too much. Yet, just when I feel like giving up, I am reminded of my “why”. Everyone must know their “why” in order to be successful, whether it be in their career or something as small as high school athletics may seem. High school athletics may seem insignificant to others, but for me high school athletics has been a huge part of my life and has given me insight into my “why”.
My “why” can be described in many ways. One of these ways would be the sense of partnership and unity that being on a team brings. No matter what sport you play, the sense of belonging and trust that develops from being on a team is like no other. By the end of the season, friends or even people you have never met before begin to feel like family to you. As my high school basketball career draws to a close, I can honestly say that I love each one of those girls with my whole heart and that I will always take a part of them with me when we depart. Another one of my “why’s” would be the impact I am able to leave on others through high school athletics. Throughout my athletic career I have always looked up to older athletes in regards to how they acted on and off the court. Through the platform that playing sports provides, I am able to impact the lives of those watching me do what I love. When I exhibit good sportsmanship, integrity, dedication and a good work ethic, it not only benefits me, but those around me as well. I hope that I can be the one that younger children, as well as my peers and teammates can look up to. Overall, my biggest “why” would be the love I have for each sport I play, as well as for the people involved. Athletics has brought so much joy to my life and has taught me so many things such as good communication, dedication, loyalty, trust, responsibility, and many more things that I can apply to my own life. Whether it be the court, the field or the trail, each of these places has taught me that this is where I belong. This is my “why” and even though this is my last year ever wearing a jersey for North Wilkes, I will always bleed blue. Hi my name is Zack and I am a student-athlete at North, I am a two-sport athlete participating in basketball and track. I am currently in my junior year and take as much pride in my academics as I do my athletics. I am an all honors student who takes AP classes for History and English. I take online college classes provided by WCC. I am a straight-A student and that is a reflection of my strategies in the classroom. When work is assigned I complete it as soon as I can, using any free time to complete as much work as possible so I have time to relax after any athletic activities. The community here at North Wilkes is great, I feel like I am part of a family here. I have met so many great people here at North and have made many memories I will remember forever. I take great pride in being a Viking and I am blessed to be surrounded by so many great people.
November Caleb
Hello, my name is Caleb I am a junior here at North and my life is literally sports. I have been a three-sport athlete all three years of my high school career and I plan to finish out high school the same way. Even though sports are my life I also take a lot of pride in my school work as well. I plan on going to a four-year college and to major in engineering. All the classes that I take are honors and I am currently in two AP classes. I am not going to lie this semester has been very difficult to juggle all my school work along with practices and games. The thing I have learned from this semester though is to not procrastinate. The system I have made to get everything done is to complete all my school work as quickly as I can after it was assigned. So when something comes up near the due date I won’t be stressed. If someone were to ask me for advice on how to be an honors student and also play three sports I would simply tell them that time is everything and making a plan is the best option. Know when it is time to get down to business in your books so when it is time to play that big game you’re not worried about the English essay due at midnight. My name is Keaton and I am a student Athlete at North. I have entered my senior year, and I have never been more excited. Ever since I was little I have always loved sports, and nothing has changed. Starting freshman year I played Basketball, Soccer, ran cross country and track. But now as a senior I am a full time runner. Sports has pulled me out of some tough times, took me to many places and has introduced me to many people. Just like everywhere else North has its own identity when it comes to the atmosphere of our sports teams.That identity is being the toughest, most hardworking team there is. Even in more individual sports our athletes are the hardest working compared to the other teams. This identity is something that I am proud of and like to say I apply to myself. When you are the most hardworking there are some sacrifices and some setbacks. But when those come I just think it's all going to pay off in the end. Keaton
Elizabeth
Hello. My name is Liz and I am a senior here at North. For 3 out of 4 of my years here at North, I have been a 3 sport athlete. I say 3 out of 4 because I am no longer a 3 sport athlete due to multiple injuries I have had. I have somehow managed to tear both of my ACL’s; both times knocking me out of the sports I love. Although it has been really hard to continue to play, I plan to have a career in basketball. Through the years, I have learned to stay positive and stay hopeful about my future. I am an honors student, and I have 2 college classes this year! My advice to all of the athletes at North that juggle being a student and an athlete, keep your head in your books and your heart on the court or the field. You got this!! I’m I'm Rachel, an athlete at North Wilkes High School. I play basketball, volleyball, and run track. Much like everything in life, being a student athlete has its ups and downs. Sports require a lot of dedication and can have very long hours but also bring you lifelong friends, the feeling of accomplishment and involvement in the community.
Coming up on my senior year and looking back to the beginning of freshman year, I have grown as a person and have learned many valuable life lessons through high school athletics. I’ve learned how to collaborate and work as a team, communicate with others, show leadership and manage my time efficiently. But overall, the most important thing that I have gained from playing high school sports are the friendships that I’ve made. My teammates are definitely going to be my lifelong friends. When I’m older and looking back on high school I’m going to remember going to camp with my team and staying up late at night, all of us packed into one tiny dorm room, just dancing and laughing until we cry. I will cherish and remember the many wonderful memories that I have made with my teammates forever. High School sports do not only affect the player but also affect the whole school and community. Nothing feels better than having a packed out gym for a big game or going to a football game on a friday night and cheering on our team in the student section. At North Wilkes sports bring people together and make you feel like a family. Even after I have gone and graduated, I will forever be a Viking. |
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