Character

What kind of qualities do you admire in a person? Read about girls in your community... Develop and practice these character traits... And take your life to the next level!

Courage
by Jackie Schoof

Jackie graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara in 2006. Playing multiple sports growing up, Jackie has continued her love of ‘the game’ and has coached girls in softball and basketball. She is also an advocate for girls and women, and in college she taught gender and women’s rights for three years. Recently joining GAC as an intern, Jackie is a great addition to our Team!

Courage: “a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear.” (www.dictionary.com)

When I was 16 I broke my leg stealing second base in my first softball game of the season. I was devastated. I went from a year-round two-sport athlete to a couch potato in a cast. The worst part was though I loved playing softball I was afraid to slide again. I kept thinking I would catch my foot in a hole and break my leg again, or that I would break the other leg—then I wouldn’t be able to play any sport, let alone softball.

A few months after surgery I started to run again, and then play, hit, catch, and everything else that had to do with softball. But not sliding. It was paralyzing thinking of sliding and getting my foot caught in a hole. I stopped stealing bases, and legging out a double or triple (instead of the single) seemed out of the question because I might have to slide. I went from being one of the top players on the team for stealing to the worst.

Finally, my dad bought a slip-n-side and told me that if I wanted to play like I used to I was going to learn once more how to slide. I did, but this time it was totally different. Now I was sliding head first—and it was fun! I conquered the fear of sliding by remembering how much fun I had playing softball. Through the encouragement of my dad, who never stopped believing in me and telling me that I could do it if I put my mind to it, I overcame a major obstacle. I finally found the courage to try something different in a sport that I loved—not succumbing to my fear, but continuing with my passion to play. I found the courage to slide again because my dad believed in me—and that was all I needed.

Hey Girls! See how Beckie shows character in her COMMITMENT to play water polo...

Staying Power in "The Girl"

by Beckie

Last year, I joined a summer water polo league to get in shape for the upcoming season. It was a co-ed program, and when I showed up on my first day— uh-oh— I was the only girl!

At first I was really nervous. It was intimidating, all these enormous muscular angry guys staring at me. I was sure they were thinking “what’s a girl doing in our pool?” They looked like they had years of experience with confidence in the air, and all of them already seemed to know the coach. I definitely didn’t want to be the pity case (the weak little girl who could barely stay afloat), or the girl who ran away, either. I just tried to shove down my fear and stay.

Plus, the coach was definitely used to coaching boys. He would shout motivating remarks, “Boys, when you tread water, I want to see your Speedos! And Beckie…um, I want to… um… see… um…”

Ohh, righht—girls don’t wear Speedos.

	Beckie with her regular team. That's her front-and-center.	Natalie and her brother... See? Guys aren't so bad.

Well, I knew he was a great coach, but the “speedo” remarks always sent the guys off snickering. Then playing water polo with a bunch of guys was awkward. Some of them weren’t sure how to guard me. They didn’t want to hurt me or get all up in my face. I was a girl!

But after a couple of weeks I think we stopped noticing.

Practices went smoother and I was concentrating on playing better. Soon, the stereotypes and insecurities were gone. Me and the guys bonded together through our love of the sport. I mean, we were all there to play water polo.

So in the end, it didn't really matter, boy or girl, speedos or swim suit. What mattered was our friendship and that I grew to be a stronger player— oh, and on my first day, even with a ton of nerves and intimidation, somehow, I had the power to stay.

Natalie takes a shot at defining Character's qualities by looking at Integrity, Discipline, Commitment, Optimism, and Honesty. (All dictionary definitions and synonyms from www.m-w.com)

Integrity

Dictionary Definition: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values
Synonyms: morality, soundness, incorruptibility

Example: Integrity is very important in today's society where peer pressure is very common. I have always protected my own integrity by establishing in my mind what is right and what is wrong and following through with my beliefs. This means that I always pay my friends back on time when I borrow money or refuse to cheat when someone asks to copy my homework. Integrity may be a difficult part of my character to maintain but it defines me, as an individual – and being my own person apart from society is of utmost importance to me.

Discipline

Dictionary Definition: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
Synonyms: self-control, will

Example: One of the hardest disciplines for teenagers is eating healthily. One of my friends, Ayushi, made a New Years' Resolution to stop eating cookies for the whole year. Cookies are one of her favorite foods, but after realizing how unhealthy they were for her, she has gone this whole year so far without so much as taking a bite out of a cookie, even when temptations arise. As trivial as eating cookies may seem, in reality, this kind of discipline is not only difficult to achieve but also very admirable.

Commitment

Dictionary Definition: an agreement or pledge to do something in the future
Synonyms: obligation, responsibility, undertaking

Example: Alyssa, a captain on my lacrosse team is one of the most committed people I know. She pours her heart and soul into the team and makes an effort to attend every practice, every game, and every team event, whether or not she is tired, sick, or not feeling well. Her commitment spans beyond just coming to practice to always helping out with the team – moving our goals, bringing out equipment for the team, and bringing food to the games. Alyssa is always there for our team, and we can count on her— That is true commitment.

Optimism

Dictionary Definition: an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome
Synonyms: assurance, cheerfulness, sureness

Example: During my tennis season, my doubles partner, Jocelyn, and I often seemed to face very tough teams. Sometimes we were down a set, but our spirits never faltered. Jocelyn, especially, was always optimistic, helping to pump me up and reminding me that we had the potential and capability of winning, if we just tried our best. This kind of optimism pushed us to play harder and helped win many of our matches.

Honesty

Dictionary Definition:  fairness and straightforwardness of conduct , adherence to the facts
Synonyms: candor, truthfulness, sincerity

Example: In high school tennis matches, players are responsible for calling their opponent's faults – whether or not the ball lands inside or outside of the lines on the tennis court. It is easy and often tempting to lie and call your opponent's ball out even when it is in so that you can score one extra point. However, I have always prided myself on making the honest call; after all, that is how sports should be played—in a fair and honest manner. Honesty in sports makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.

	Natalie in flight... and down-to-earth with school kids and volunteers in Ecuador

Natalie writes: I went to Ecuador last summer to help build a school for the children of the village Catarama.
 
The picture of me jumping is also from Ecuador - jumping on the rooftop of a building in Quito.

The school will be called Luz y Vida, which means Light and Life.

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We admire you, too! Building Character and Taking the High Road are not easy. Tell us the challenges you’re facing and how you're stepping up! Drop us a line!