This summer I attended the Women's US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) in DeKalb, IIl. The Olympic Development Program was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition.
Thankfully I was one of the 17 girls to represent the state of Ohio. During camp I was able to play against talented players throughout the region (II), which includes states such as Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky and Indiana. Out of the 150 girls throughout the region, about 30 were selected for further training. I was grateful to be included within the 30 and received training alongside the best girls and top coaches in the country.
Working closely with some of the best girls and coaches in the region and nation was definitely an unforgettable experience. It has been a huge blessing to be given all these opportunities.
My hopeful pathway now is to make it to the national team and to follow in my brothers’ footsteps to one day play professional soccer. My brothers Kofi, Ofori and Kwame have definitely set the bar high for me. They have achieved and experienced many things that I hope to also someday accomplish. From traveling the world representing the United States, to graduating college to playing professional soccer, to receiving nationally-recognized awards—they didn't accomplish all of this without hard work and dedication.
The one thing that my brothers have taught me and has stuck with me throughout my life is that you have to have love for the game no matter how tough it gets. They taught me that before you can become successful you are going to fail—in some cases, multiple times—but that you can't be scared to fail, but instead be motivated to be better. They truly inspire me to become a better player and person each day and I thank them for that.
I also thank my coaches and teammates from the Darlington School Soccer Academy for always pushing me out of my comfort zone and over my limits to the next level because without that I would not have made it to where I am. They have taught me to work hard, be fearless, be a leader, and to just have fun along the way.
My teammates are not just a couple of girls I play soccer with every day. They are my family and my backbone. They pick me up when I'm having a bad day at practice, they always support me through everything, and they make me want to become the best teammate I possibly can. Even though the Soccer Academy has taught me a lot, Darlington itself has taught me numerous things such as being independent, managing my time with school and soccer, and getting prepared for college.
Most of all, I thank my family, especially my mom and dad for always believing in me and supporting me no matter what.
My teammate from Indiana and I
Gearing up with my Ohio teammates to play against Wisconsin
With 16 of my teammates and our coaches representing Ohio women's soccer
Ohio represent!
