Personal Statement

I am different from the average college lacrosse recruit in many ways.  While maintaining a 3.2 GPA in mostly Gifted / Honors classes, I am able to play competitive lacrosse year round.  Another fact that may surprise you is that I am legally deaf in both ears.  I refuse under any circumstances to allow my deafness to define who I am.  One of my major college aspirations is to become the first deaf academic all American.  Diagnosed at a young age with a severe hearing loss, I have learned to compensate using the environment that surrounds me.   For example, at my first competitive tournament, it was pouring rain,  I could not wear my hearing aids, therefore making me stone deaf for most of the day.   I informed my coach that I would not be able to hear.  He said, " You will figure it out,  I am not worried about you.  You are a smart kid.  You know how to read the offense." Put in any given situation, I feel that I can easily adapt and adjust accordingly.  I have always prided myself in "being coachable and humble." My work ethic is second to none but realize that my education take priority in all situations.