The game of Basketball has always been there for me. Growing up, things are always changing and it can make you feel unsafe like you’re not standing on stable ground.

In a competitive society, including smaller bubbles like youth basketball, it’s common to be unsure of who you can trust. During my last few years of high school, I had a lot of anxiety about the future, stemming from making a college choice, and deciding where I was going to play out of the schools that were recruiting me. It seemed as if no one had my best interest at heart like everyone who wanted me to join their team had no regard for me other than my ability to help them.

The process was so transactional that it led me to think everyone was ultimately self-interested and would always be “me vs. them.” Young people are presented with the way civilization has developed and then we get to decide how we want to live. I’m truly inspired by the Untamed Youth letters. As a generation with the power to steer the direction of society, I am grateful that I’m sharing this power with empathetic, authentic, and passionate people like the ones who have written letters so far.

I am extremely privileged because I have been fortunate enough to chase my passion my whole life. Unknowingly, I’ve had people in my corner allowing me to put my energy into what I loved doing the most, I have been supported by a backbone of incredible people. I’ve gotten to dedicate countless hours to the sport that allows me to express myself in my truest form. I can think of no better way to learn about myself, grow, and face the inevitable adversities of life than through this sport that has brought me so much pain and so much joy.

Mastery experiences build a robust belief in one’s personal efficacy. I’ve gotten to take on challenges and advance through Basketball because of the support of my teammates, coaches, family, friends, trainers, doctors, teachers, and countless others, I’ve had relatively little to do with it. I’ve learned that it was never really “me vs. them,” but thinking that made it so. My wish is to be a part of a generation worthy of trust. To trust someone is to believe that they have your best interest at heart. This is difficult because society doesn’t promote responsible behavior (shoutout capitalism). But I want to be someone that others can trust, regardless of social class, race, or gender, because everything I’ve been able to accomplish has been due to having trustworthy people supporting the chase of my biggest passion.

I feel strong feelings of trust within our generation. Though social media and technology has many pitfalls, it has allowed us to have shared experiences and adversities, allowing us to be more empathetic and compassionate of the diverse journeys we are all on. I look forward to amplifying these feelings with the amazing people of our generation as a group with the power to shape society’s values and structure.