Joel Franklin René Callins '24 Recruiting Profile

Joel F. R. Callins

Central Fine Arts International Baccalaureate Magnet High School (Macon, Georgia)

Class of 2023

Sports: Soccer, Football, Basketball, Cross Country, Tennis, Swimming

Personal Statement (October 2022)

NEXT LEVEL AND PUTTING IN THE WORK

            My name is Joel Callins, I am a Senior attending Central Fine Arts IB Magnet High School in Macon, Georgia.   This fall I am focused on finishing strong in completing my final year of high school and also preparing to  transition to attending college as a student athlete.  Currently, I am playing soccer with Middle Georgia United FC (Div. 1 East Georgia Conference) and Legion FC (2004 Boys Premier).  I am also playing Varsity Football with my high school as Kicker.  Academically, I’m working hard to stay ahead in all my classes, and to strengthen my grade point average in my final 2 semesters of high school, going into college.  I’m excite about graduating this year, moving on to college, and competing on the collegiate level as a student athlete.

I’m all about family and teamwork, which I believe is the key to being successful.  I work hard to try and reach my goals.  Many people are very talented at art, or maybe even music. My talent is playing  soccer--one of the most competitive sports that has been around for many generations.  Going back to when I was little, I always had a little spark in me that made me want to compete and get better at soccer. Since the age of 4, I became more and more interested in my favorite sport, Soccer. Over the years, I have learned how to conquer the mechanics of soccer, like working as a team, and communicating with others. While learning how to become better at soccer, the game has also  taught me a sense of what leadership means, and that has helped me succeed in the past few years.

            Sports has taught me many life lessons, and has also taught me to never give up on anything. Soccer has also taught me that if I don’t get what I want the first time, I have to keep trying to get it the next time. Playing a sport that can teach you so much is a great thing to be a part of. We may not always win all of our games.   But good sportsmanship and ethics are important character traits that I have learned over the years. Soccer has also taught me to take risks in different situations, and that is what life is- taking risks, trying to reach your goals, and trying to be the best you.

Every game is an opportunity to show what you have worked on in practice, and also your time to shine and show what you are really made of. I use all of the skills I have learned over the years, including my competitive skills learned in the classroom on a day to day basis. The more I put in work, the better I will be when it’s time to show it, and it will show when you have just defeated your opponent in a victorious match. I like the sayings ``Practice Makes Perfect” and “Work Hard Play Hard.” Whenever I am putting in work and I feel like stopping, I always refer to either one of these quotes. Academically, for me to do well on a test, I have to do my homework and study for the upcoming test. It works the same way with Soccer.  The one thing that motivates me the most is soccer. I love to put in work and when it shows and we have won the match, that brings me joy and fulfillment.  It has motivated me to be a better person, student, and athlete, because in order for me to play on the collegiate level, it is important to maintain a certain GPA.

            In conclusion, I am willing to work hard to earn whatever I put my mind to, whether it is academically with my grades or whether it’s the next 50-50 ball in soccer or basketball. I’m all about family and teamwork, which I believe is the key to being successful.  Athletics can teach you a lot, you just have to really love it as much as I do. Every game is an opportunity to show what you have worked on in practice, and also your time to shine and show what you are really made of. Sports has taught me many life lessons, and has also taught me to never give up on anything. You also must treat every day as if it is your last game. Play like it's your last opportunity, because tomorrow is never promised. Hard work always pays off.