I bet you can tell me one thing Venus and Serena Williams and Lisa Leslie have in common: they all play sports. But do you know what math class has to do it? Playing sports can help you on the field and in the classroom. When you play a sport you develop discipline and learn how to set and achieve goals. Those goals can range from hitting the winning homerun to making an A on your next science test.
It’s true! Playing sports can actually help you with math. Girls who participate in sports are more likely to make good grades and graduate from high school. And if you work hard to excel at a sport you love, you could even get a scholarship to college!
It’s never too soon to start thinking about college, and athletic scholarships can help pay for your education. There are all kinds of scholarships available. Some will pay for just tuition and some will pay for a “full ride,” which includes everything from housing to meals to tuition. Athletic scholarships are available for both two-year and four-year colleges. But the first step to being awarded a scholarship is to start playing.
Lisa Leslie grew up being raised by a single, working mother, and went on to make her mark in the WNBA. She set goals for herself and worked hard to achieve those goals. By doing the same, you can also accomplish the things you want in life, whether it’s winning the game or getting into the college of your choice.
Venus and Serena Williams have a similar story. The tennis pro sisters started playing at a young age where they developed their skills not only in tennis, but in other ways as well. Serena and Venus aren’t just top-ranked players. Serena has written an autobiography and started a school for children in Kenya. Venus is an interior decorator, and both sisters have their own fashion lines.
When I was younger, I thought I could do it all. In some ways, I did. I played soccer, basketball, softball, and I even found time for cheerleading. That energy and ambition has stayed with me throughout my life. I learned how to balance multiple activities by playing sports while excelling at school.
Whether you’re playing on a team or you’re throwing the softball around in the backyard, sports help you build confidence, have a positive self-image, and give you a place where you belong. I started playing softball around the age of six, and my teammates are still some of my close friends today.
So if you want to be like Venus, Serena, and Lisa, or you just like to spend time with your friends, playing sports is one way to set yourself up for success. You will still have to study to do well in math and science, but playing sports will help you excel. And the memories you make will be their own reward.
Image: West Virginia University women's basketball center Asya Bussie (with ball) goes up for a shot in a crowd against Villanova December 9, 2010 in Villanova, PA © Aspenphoto | Dreamstime.com