Undergraduate / UBC College Essay Prompt 1 - about me in my community - and my attempt (undergrad)... [4]

Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why. (maximum 250 words)

Most Improved Player of the Season

The game was a nail-biter. The score stood at 20-19, with the opponent one point away from victory: while I had to secure two consecutive points. My opponent served to the rear end of the court. Quickly adjusting my feet to the most favorable position, I struck the shuttlecock. From afar, the shot may have looked exact; my timing seemed ideal and the shuttle had landed smack in the middle of the string-bed. However, the shuttle travelled only half the court's length before it was intercepted by my opponent who ultimately won the point through a smash. I had just lost the fourth and final match of the SAISA (South-Asia Inter-School Association) varsity pool A try-outs eliminating me from the team.

Considering the amount of time, I had sacrificed from my academics and put into playing competitive badminton, one in an analogous position as me could have easily given up. Freshly transitioning from a different educational program put me under a lot of academic stress, which affected my ability to participate in the co-curricular activities I wanted to. However, a word which members of my family or even my friends would describe me as would be, persistence.

After failing to reach the team for two consecutive years (8th and 9th grade), I finally had the opportunity to play in pool A as singles seed 4. Ultimately assisting the team to an overall 2nd place in the SAISA tournament, winning a consolation goal medal and receiving the Most Improved Player of the Season award.