Grand Prize Winner

Alexis Carter
6th grade
Scenic Hill Elementary - Kent Washington

A female sports team that I admire and that inspires me the most is the Seattle Storm. I didn't know what to expect the very first time that I went to a Storm game. The first thing that I noticed was how tall some of the girls were. I'm tall myself and have always struggled with looking different than most of my friends. I always wanted to slump down so that I wouldn't stand out too much. Being tall is a challenge and everyone expects me to be a great basketball player. There's pressure with being tall and people expect you to be good at things. I've always wondered, what if I'm not good at it?

I realized as I attended many Storm fan events that the players all try very hard at everything they do, and that they are all great athletes and funny too. They are normal people outside of basketball and they have great personalities, and seem to enjoy being together as a team. Working as part of a team is important in life, and I realize that it's hard work too, but they make it look like fun. I realize that I could be a basketball player, a good student at school, enjoy volunteering within my community and play other sports like volleyball, fast pitch and soccer as well. I've learned to just try as hard as I can and not worry about failing. I'm learning from watching the Storm players that giving back to the community is very important, and I'm dedicated in doing the same thing for my community.

My whole family is Storm fans. My step-dad is inspired by Betty Lennox and her great athletic ability, he says. My mom is an aspiring teacher and after reading about Tanisha this summer on the Storm website, is impressed by Tanisha's commitment to teaching, she said. My mom has told me that all of the girls in the WNBA, work really hard to get what they want most out of life. I know that she's really saying that I need to work hard and stay focused on the things that I want from life.

I am most inspired by Sue Bird because she has a personality that makes me smile and she's a great basketball player. I have been to a few autograph signings and Sue seems like such a normal person, even though she is famous. She's teaching all of us that you can work hard and achieve great things and still be normal and cool. She's a great role model for the young people today and parents too. When you go to a game, you feel like you are part of the Storm family. The arena is full of Sue Bird jerseys, so I know that others feel that she is a great role model as well. I think being a good role model is important because people will take your advice and make decisions from what examples you show. It's important to lead others in a positive way. I am a mentor for some of the 1st and 2nd graders in my school. It's fun when they say hi to me and tell their parents about me. I know that I'm doing a good thing by helping them.

I hurt myself during fast pitch season and needed stitches. I had to sit out for the last two games of the season. I watched Sue last year with her injuries and she came back strong. I plan to do the same and come back strong during fast pitch season this year.

One of the most important things to me in life is my family. Going to a Storm game gives me the warm feeling of being around a whole bunch of family. I like taking my friends to the games with me, because I know that they will feel comfortable and they'll want to come back.

I'm realizing what it takes to become a WNBA player. I'm not sure if I'll ever be as good as Sue Bird or the Storm players, but I'm going to give it my all. Until then, I will continue helping others, getting good grades and having fun playing sports.

Signed,

Alexis Carter

Tanisha on Alexis's essay:

“This essay was an amazing essay. I really feel like the writer highlighted and went into detail on some great points as to why the Seattle Storm organization inspires her. She continually expresses how she recognizes all the hard work that all athletes go through in order to get to the top. She then goes on to explain that it isn’t just about the basketball accomplishments and accolades, but that we as athletes are dedicated to other things like being involved with our community and having a good rapport with our fans. The writer also explains that after visiting with Storm players at various events despite her differences she realizes she can do/ be what she wants to be and not worry about it. Overall this essay was well written. Kudos to you!”