This story follows a student who struggles with being benched from their lacrosse team multiple times, damaging their confidence. They quit the team feeling like a failure after 12 years playing. Lost without lacrosse defining them, they find joy and a new identity in an art class, winning an award for their work. Discovering a passion for art helps them regain self-love and confidence, choosing to pursue art in their final year.

1. A Story By: Ali Churchfield

2. Ugh!
Another game I
didn't play. What
the hell?!
I
haven't
missed a
practice, I have
been giving it
my all, what is
going on?!
Did i
miss the
drop ball
during
scrimmage
?
was
it for
coming in
2nd during
sprints
?
I'm so
discouraged. 12
years of sports
has led me to be
nothing but a
failure.what
am i going
to do?!

3. i hope mom can
give me some
words of advice
mom, i hate
lacrosse. it's not
doing anything but
shooting my
confidence.
sweetheart, you are good
enough. it was one game, have you
talked to your coaches?
obviously mom! and
it was not one game.
this is the 4th game i
haven't played in.
How about you
give it one more
week and see what
happens? if you still
feel this upset, we'll
figure something
out

4. "you
need to
practice
outside of
practice"
"MaYbe
this isn't
the team
for you"
"you
are a
liability
for the
team"
Do I
end this?
12 years of
sports done?
the only
identity i've
had,
over?
or do
i push
through and
hope for
improvement
?
mom, i'm
done with
lacrosse
are you sure
you want to
give them the
power to make
you give up
something you
love?
yes, i don't want to
be let down
anymore. i feel like a
failure.
honey, you are not a
failure. but maybe you
should think about this a
little more.
mom, you went to
college to swim. i'm
not going anywhere with
this. it's pointless.
okay then,
well it looks like
you've made your
decision
and
just like
that, this
chapter is over.
who am i? what
do i do?

5. i'm
slowly
losing my
mind. did i make
the right
choice?
i feel
like i have let
everyone down. my
team, my parents,
myself. why do i
still have this pit
in my stomach?
i
feel
lost.
school days come and go...
I found myself staying late in my
jewelry class. why was i loving this
creativity? this is so unlike me.
i was discovering
new passions, new
talents, new
hopes, a new
identity. i was
seeing the light
at the end of the
tunnel.

6. then came the letter. "we
are pleased to announce
you have been awarded
'excellence in metalsmith
and fine arts"...
that art show was the
first time i had truly been
proud of myself in a long
time. This is the version of
myself who makes me the
happiest. i had discovered
self-love again.
i think i'm
going to do ap
jewelry senior
year...