The Inpiration of Basketball by Sydney

The Inpiration of Basketball by Sydney - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

I was at youth group one night as a sixth grader. It was an average evening, when someone stood up and announced a volunteer opportunity to anyone interested. It was for an organization called UPWARD basketball, which was completely new to me. As a non-sports kid, I resented anything related to physical activity and I had no interest in starting with this basketball thing. The only problem was I needed volunteer hours for a class at school, so I signed up reluctantly. I honestly had no idea what to expect, but I was not looking forward to it. Fast-forward six years and I still help with the organization, as well as encourage others in my community to join as soon as possible. What I have experienced has honestly made a difference in hundreds of kids’ lives and I hope to continue that tradition.
The idea of UPWARD was not just the stupid basketball games that I expected. I soon learned that the idea behind the organization was to help children from the ages of preschool to sixth grade become a part of a fun and active group, while teaching them the Bible and core methods of sportsmanship. The games were veered toward families with low incomes whose kids have probably never been part of a sports team before. The idea was to help these kids experience a safe and welcoming environment where they can be themselves and have fun, while their parents did not have to worry about their safety or the amount for the program.
The entire organization is run completely from volunteers, including the concession workers, coaches, referees, and announcers. The gyms that the games are held in are local churches who donate their time and resources. When I learned that UPWARD was run this way, I fell in love with the program. I loved the opportunity it provided the children for growth and friendships, as well as how it brought a small community together. My favorite experience every year is to see the parents’ faces as their cheer their kids on, while the children think it’s the coolest experience in the world.
The opportunity that I have witnessed has definitely inspired me to continue working with UPWARD, as well as encourage anyone I meet to either help volunteer or sign their children up. The experience has also encouraged me to help with other children’s programs, like Vacation Bible School and my local youth group. I love helping the kids become confident in themselves and find people who they really trust and feel safe around.
At first, I figured the volunteer opportunity was going to be lame and a waste of time. I soon found out that I was completely wrong. The organization has helped hundreds of children so far through something as simple as basketball. I never thought I would be excited about sports, but from what I have witnessed, the program is now my favorite part of the year. I love the difference it makes in the lives of the children and it is the reason I look for new and inspiring opportunities to help others in my community.