It’s my Junior year, otherwise typically referred to as the worst year in high school. It’s the year that’s the pivotal point in students' lives where they’re supposed to figure themselves out. Like my peers, I’m focused on studying for the SATs, looking at colleges, and figuring out what I truly enjoy.
Throughout the year, I try to stay focused on grades, playing my sport, and finding time for a social life when I’m not swamped with other things.
Finding My Voice on the Blog
When spring break comes around, and I’m on the road visiting colleges, I start to think about what I want to do in college. I’ve never been a scientist or a mathematician by any means, but I knew the one thing I enjoyed was leaving those classes at the end of the day and heading to my after-school activities like volleyball.
I loved playing the sport so much that I eventually began to write about it. Creating my own blog, where I not only discussed the sport, but also controversial trends like: “What’s the hardest volleyball position?” Or, “Leggings vs Spandex?” let me become creative in a new environment. But I wanted to dive deeper; instead of discussing surface-level topics, I began writing about issues that many athletes could relate to. Discussing psychological challenges and the mindset in volleyball allowed me to express my own stress and pressure I felt at times, midway through a set when my team was down, or hitting into the net repeatedly.
Beyond the Glitter: Finding My Why
Knowing that other players around me were also struggling with similar challenges motivated me to keep writing about it. As with mental health, there were many other causes in athletics that supported broader goals. Bullying, domestic violence, youth access, and inclusion were missions through sports that were fought for.
Reading about one in particular, which was connected to the sport I play, led me to research more. I thought back to the school season, when I practiced five days a week and played multiple games. I hated conditioning in the summer and the pre-season workouts that left me feeling weaker than actually building any stamina. But I remember one game specifically that I always looked forward to.
The Ribbons in My Hair
Dig Pink® is where I get to dress up in a pink jersey, put glitter and ribbons in my hair, and wear a pink warm-up shirt. I always knew most schools dedicated a volleyball game to breast cancer, but learning more about actually why, and how it impacted communities, gave it a new sense of light.
Thinking back to that game, I got mixed up in the excitement of looking forward to it all. During the school day, in the midst of classes, all I thought about was what braid I wanted to do in my hair, or the ribbons I wanted to tie onto my shoes. I mean, technically, I was playing a game dedicated to breast cancer. But what if I could actually do something more than just be another athlete focused on making sure I have the perfect paint stripe down their face? Looking beyond those formalities, the game suddenly looked different.
Student leaders making a difference! Meet Lucy Palmer, Lightridge High School's Dig Pink Ambassador who led her team to raise over $4,100 in their first year - organizing fun runs, creating social media campaigns, and designing outreach materials that reached local news outlets. When challenges arose, Lucy stepped up with creative solutions and inspired her entire program to get involved. Ready to empower your student-athletes as Side-Out Ambassadors? Learn more: http://community.side-out.org/ambassadorprogram/info
Taking a Step Towards Side-Out
I didn’t want to play volleyball anymore just because it was a fun after-school activity. I wanted to step on the court with a new purpose. Witnessing how volleyball plays for a cause compelled me to Side-Out's mission. It drove my curiosity to look at research and hear stories of players, coaches, and the foundation. As I began to grasp what it fully meant to be connected to a cause through my sport, I decided to take a step.
Approaching a new environment seemed quite daunting. What if I'm not what they're looking for? What if I'm not ready? What if I don't find my place? But the what-if questions weighed less on my mind than the possibilities of something. What began as an email to the foundation turned into something so much more. As I took a chance to reach out, I was taken a chance on. Now, my "why" in volleyball had a new meaning. It meant each time I stepped on the court to play, I played for a community I got to represent. Every time I put on my jersey, I imagine wearing armor to prepare for a fight, to help fight alongside the community that battles for life every day. I want to carry a deeper meaning and role as an athlete, which has changed my perspective on being involved in athletics and its underlying purpose.
Get ready to follow along from how I organize my Dig Pink® event to how I use my voice for a new purpose in advocacy. Through every rally and rebound, I will be taking you along on my journey!
