I have always been really involved in almost every sport that my small town had to offer. During elementary and high school, I played on the soccer team and volleyball team. I was also a member of our local swim club. My parents always prioritized mine and my siblings sports which I am very grateful for. Being on the school soccer team from grade 7-12 really made an impact on my life. I learned vital teamwork skills through communicating both on and off the field. On the swim team, my experience was slightly more individual. We didn’t participate in many competitions because of how small and rural my hometown is. In the pool, I learned to compete against myself. I did this by aiming every practice to beat my own previous swim times. I think team sports can be so beneficial for developing children’s leadership, communication, and resilience qualities.