“The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to be successful” Rejection is a good teacher.

Growing up I have always been energetic, always had a passion for sports, track and field in particular. My obsession started in elementary school; The Daniel Mucatel School and it followed me throughout my High School years. On the field I have never cared about peoples’ opinions of me; my main priority were the fun moments and producing enough memories. Without a doubt, if you ever meet with a close friend of mine, they will always have the same response; they will say I am the energetic one in the group. Whether I was playing tag with the little kids’ or even doing things that excite me, anything considered ‘fun’.

On a late spring afternoon when I was 10 years old, that’s when I found my passion for track. I was in the backyard with my sister; we started playing tag, running and jumping over anything that came my way. As the game of tag started I ran as fast as I could, running into bushes scratching my calves and knees, seeing my skin separating, feeling the open wounds developing. While I was running I ran into a large log, jumping over that “Phew” I said. From pacing through the alleyway to running on a large 1,312.3 ft field. As I kept running I understood that running was my way of clearing my mind. Running makes me feel alive, it makes me feel amazing.

As I stepped on the field I let out a deep breath; As I heard “GO” I shot up and ran as fast as I could, keeping my arms at a 90 degree angle. As I was running I felt the wind slapping against my face, to my right I was hearing “keep going Sapphire you’re almost there” as I kept pacing myself running and running I stumbled on my shoelace; as I fell I remembered everything going in slow motion, my body tilted forward landing on my knees. All I felt was the polyurethane rubbing against my kneecaps. While I was on the floor I heard thoughts going through my head “Sapphire get up, Sapphire get up we have to win you cannot stay here”.

As I ran I saw hurdles, 8 of them so I jumped as high as I could thinking I was in a mario game. “Sapphire you’re almost there, you’re almost there” I said as I kept pacing myself to get to the finish line. As I reached the finish line I took off my shoes, my feet were on fire, as if thousands of shards of glass were under them. Walking up the bleachers to sit down I managed to fall due to how hot and dizzy I was. As I opened my eyes I felt about 10 people hovered around me, “Get the water” my coach said; “A cold rag” Another shouted.

On the drive home, I was exhausted; I was extremely tired.When I was in the shower I congratulated myself, as the water ran all through my hair follicles down to my feet. As I blossomed into a young lady I understood that track isn’t all about running and jumping, it’s also about mental health. I acknowledged that joining track has helped me with having a clear mind. 

“What do you want to be when you get older?” I kept seeing these same questions growing up as I felt like I failed myself. As I kept going , setting goals for me played a huge part, being in track and field has allowed me to both set goals and work towards them. Track and field has coached me to build strength and resilience.

As I entered into High School the path that grasped my attention was wanting to be a Nurse Practitioner, I enjoyed helping people, I believed that my skills would have perfectly aligned with this field. As I looked deeper, about my sophomore year into High School I acknowledged that I did not want to take that path and I believed I could have done something more hands-on such as architecture. Being in the Architecture field can show me creativity, it can also develop skills that are applicable in areas such as person and professional. Being an architecture student is wonderful, it makes me feel great as of right now, I do sketches, study history etc, I fell in love with the creativity.

Growing up I acknowledge I enjoy everything, and I can put my mind to anything I want. Studying architecture plays an important role in my life as of right now and where I would continue to be. Studying architecture has changed my view on society, it has and the environment.  

So, where would you hope to be in five years? In five years I’ll be 25,  I hope to have an apartment by then. Going down the long run, I hope all the skills regarding architecture can help me create a beautiful house. The basics make a house feel like home, such as plants, lighting, smell, furniture, pets etc. I know I also want to continue the path to be an interior designer, I know everything will come into place. If I have not gone through certain obstacles and stages in my life I would not have kept going and pushing myself. Running has helped but most of all acknowledging that even though something difficult has happened that does not affect who I am, and will be moving forward.