Makayla is an amazing young lady and is so passionate about golf! Just about every day after school she comes over to the golf course to practice and play! She has big dreams in golf and really enjoys all aspects of the game and golf culture. Her goals this year is to consistently shoot in the 30s for 9 holes. Super super proud of her! She is even an artist and enjoys drawing. She is a little shy about her art work though. 🙂
I had her write an essay that we discussed what she wrote about. The thing I am most impressed with is that she participates in active shooter drills and is not phased by it. She knows that they are to help others prepare to know what to do. Very very impressive!
I have attached the essay she wrote for you guys to read!
“Recently, I watched an interview with Sandra Gal on the LPGA website. During the interview, she was reflecting on her time in qualifying school and her friend’s selflessness as she qualified for the LPGA. That selfless act of putting others before yourself is inspiring and adds more purpose to your life. I’m going to talk about the E’s that I strive to demonstrate.
I approach the golf course each time with the desire to better myself. As a person it helps me persevere during the toughest moments on the golf course. Golf tests me mentally, physically and morally, all of which are reasons golf enriches me as a person. The tests of my moral character and physical abilities requires me to find inner strength, which could not otherwise be discovered if not for the challenges golf places upon me.
I have received awards in golf and recognition from the NAACP for volunteering. However, the true award I obtained didn’t come in the form of a ribbon or plastic it’s felt inside and displayed in the self-dedication to help others and better myself.
Growing up in a family dedicated to the service of others I have the desire to Engage with others in an effort to better serve my community. Reaching out to those in need is both rewarding and fulfilling. Having been provided the opportunity to assist the NAACP during a local event being held at Augustine Golf Course enabled me to interact and experience the benefits that come with extending a helping hand. Additionally, I acted as a student role player on several occasions to assist a local law enforcement agency to better help their response to an active shooter event. During these exercises police are preparing themselves to move to the screams of children in hopes to save their lives. My participation in these scenarios helps the officers to better understand the necessity for action. Hopefully, through my actions, I not only help them in their response but maybe help save a life.
The illustrations I provided hopefully display courage, confidence, and character. The three-intangible characteristic listed in Empowerment.
I feel it’s my responsibility to help and give my time in an effort to assist others. By participating in community events and volunteering I feel I am part of something greater then myself. The selfless act that Sandra discussed in her interview regarding her friend inspired me to do more. Her friends character, support and confidence in Ms. Gal undoubtedly helped provide the courage Ms. Gal needed to achieve her dreams. If I can display these same attributes to my fellow citizens on and off the golf course; I will carry the intangible characteristics needed to better others’ lives.
Through word, action, and deed the Enrichment, Engage and Empower of the 5 E’s will ideally Energize others to action. You cannot expect others to do more unless you step forward and live the words you speak. By energizing others to action, they too are Enriching not only their lives but others as well. They are Engaging in their community and Empowering friends, family and citizens to live for others. If I can use golf and Exercise along with athletic achievement as encouragement to Engage, Enrich, Empower and Energize others to serve and achieve more as Ms. Gal has, my life will have a more meaningful purpose.
It has been my honor to write this essay in hopes of standing beside Ms. Gal. Inspirations can come in many forms and Ms. Gal’s desire to help others is a guiding light that I hope to emulate.”