My lacrosse story is different than most in that I did not pick up a lacrosse stick until I was 14 years old, the summer going into my freshman year. Starting lacrosse late and being from a non-traditional lacrosse area has come with its challenges but I have used those challenges to push myself to work even harder. My coaches constantly comment on my strong work ethic and the quote I live by is hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard because hard work truly pays off. My mentality is to get better every day and be the best teammate I can be and I believe I carry that to every team I play on. After a successful freshman season on JV as a defender, I made varsity as a sophomore where I was a key contributor on the defense and am now in my junior year and 2nd year on varsity where I am the leader of the defense. As a defender, Im extremely loud, aggressive, reliable and proficient in ground balls. Although I play mostly defense on my high school team, occasionally I find myself on attack or even midfield where I get a chance to showcase my ambidextrous stick skills and dodging abilities. Playing attack gives me a chance to be creative which is limited on defense so I relish every opportunity I am given. I play club lacrosse for 214 Lacrosse out of Dallas where I also play defense and am surrounded by amazing players and coaches that push me to be my best. I work just as hard in the classroom as I do on the field and I throughout high school have maintained a 3.8 GPA and been on the A/B Honor Roll, as well as the Deans List and received the Dean of Students Conduct Award. I am a member of the National Honors Society and National English Honors Society. I am interested in the medical side of athletics and hope to major in athletic training, kinesiology, or exercise science. I am also a Morgans Message Ambassador and founder of Morgans Message Ursuline and through their organization I am able to be an advocate for mental health which is something extremely important to me. Additionally, I have a lacrosse Instagram called @_gracelax where you can keep up with me and my training and events I attend!