I love soccer. I love the sport, the competition, the teamwork. The field is the one place other than the classroom that I feel I can really do anything. Playing soccer has taught me more and introduced me to a world I never knew existed. It has allowed me to travel abroad to places I never would have seen, meet people who will be in my life for a very long time, experience new cultures and ways of life, and grow as a person both physically and mentally. Finally and most importantly to never give up.
After my first tryouts for the Peruvian National Team in Hayward, California, I was told that I had the skill, but would have to do two things. First, I had to get into shape, second, I would have to travel to Peru to do a callback. I had six weeks to get into shape and be ready. In those six weeks I decreased my mile and three mile time. It was very hard and even though I wanted to quit I kept going. If it weren't for soccer, I never would have learned that perseverance gets you through. And I most definitely would not be the person I am today.