Sports have always been about more than competition to me; they’ve helped shape who I am. As a multi-sport varsity athlete and captain of my high school’s basketball and lacrosse teams, I’ve learned lessons that reach far beyond the court or field. Athletics have taught me resilience, leadership, communication, teamwork, and self-confidence in ways nothing else could.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have coaches and mentors who challenged me to grow, supported me through setbacks and showed me the kind of leader I wanted to become. Because of those experiences, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the impact sports can have on young athletes, especially girls and been inspired to “play it forward”. I want other girls to have the same opportunities, support, and sense of belonging which sports gave me.
Recognizing the Gaps
As much as sports have given me, I’ve observed the inequities that still exist in girls’ athletics. I’ve seen differences in visibility, funding, resources, and encouragement at the school level, and those disparities often become greater at the collegiate and professional levels.
The statistics are staggering. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, by age 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys. Limited opportunities, financial barriers, and lack of support–especially in under-resourced communities–continue to push girls away from athletics at a critical age. As I became more aware of these challenges, I realized I wanted to change the status quo.
Building a Stronger Foundation
As President of FAST (Female Athletes Stand Together) at Byram Hills High School, I’ve helped strengthen girls’ athletics within my school community. Working closely with our Athletic Director, Scott Saunders, I’ve organized programs and events designed to educate, motivate, and empower young female athletes.
One of the most rewarding parts of FAST has been bringing in guest speakers–from a Team USA Paralympic gold medalist to a local nutrition expert–who share their experiences and inspire younger athletes. I’ve also worked with middle school students to help them explore sports opportunities early and understand the lasting impact athletics can have on confidence, leadership, and personal growth.
Our signature event, Girls & Women in Sports Day, sponsored by the Byram Hills Athletic Department, is especially meaningful to me. Watching young girls try new sports, connect with athletes they admire, and feel welcomed into a supportive environment reminds me exactly why this work matters.
Expanding the Mission
As rewarding as FAST has been, I wanted to extend that impact beyond my own school community. That desire led me to found HUGSS (Helping Uplift Girls in Sports and Sisterhood), a program that mentors girls in under-resourced communities.
After seeing the benefits FAST created, I realized there were girls nearby without access to the same opportunities as me. Through biannual events, I work alongside coaches and student mentors to connect with girls ages 10–16 in neighboring communities, a time when many begin stepping away from sports. While we include athletic activities and skill-building, our conversations go far beyond the game itself. We talk about leadership, nutrition, teamwork, and how sports can help prepare girls for challenges in every aspect of life.
Nesta Felix, Executive Director of NewFlex Youth in Mount Vernon, shared this about the program: “Our partnership with HUGSS has continued to strengthen the connection between our girls, the HUGSS mentors, and our communities. Our girls are not only building healthy lifestyles and leadership skills, but also building confidence, friendships, and a broader understanding of what is possible for their futures.”
At its core, HUGSS is built on a simple belief: sports don’t just create athletes–they help develop leaders. By growing partnerships and expanding our network of mentors, I hope to continue increasing the program’s reach and long-term impact.
Playing It Forward
Everything I do comes back to one goal: helping create a world where girls’ sports are valued equally and every young athlete feels supported, encouraged, and empowered to succeed.
There’s still work to do, but I’m proud to be part of the effort to close the gap–one team, one event, and one girl at a time. For me, this is not only about playing the game. It’s about helping change it for the next generation.
