An Athleader’s Journey: Poised to Encourage, Create and Lead Others

Aidan began enjoying volleyball for his faculty when he was in fifth grade to see if he would love it. He knew subsequent to nothing concerning the sport, and his solely preconceived notions have been that volleyball was a “ladies’ sport.” As a multi-sport athlete, Aidan competed in basketball, baseball and observe, whereas sustaining tutorial excellence. By the seventh grade, Aidan realized how a lot he loved volleyball and joined a membership workforce at 630 Volleyball. By his freshman 12 months of highschool, Aidan was ecstatic to be taught that he made the varsity workforce at his highschool, and realized he wished to decide to being one of the best volleyball scholar athlete and teammate he may very well be.

As captain of his 15-1 workforce, Aidan participated in The Management Academy at 630 Volleyball, the place the workforce captains take part in actions and workshops to learn to change into efficient leaders on and off the court docket. All through the Management Academy Aidan participated in workforce constructing actions, together with company workforce constructing methods, video games and an escape room. The Academy consists of periods with nice school coaches akin to John Hawks, lately named UCLA Head Males’s Volleyball Coach (beforehand Head Coach at Loyola College), and Psychological Efficiency Coach, Dan Mickle.

“I do prefer to see myself as an off-the-cuff chief. I really feel my management reveals by taking lead roles in conferences and all the time taking part. I steadiness a whole lot of actions by ensuring that I’ve good time administration expertise,” acknowledged Aidan.

Aidan has all the time seemed as much as his father as a job mannequin and admired his willingness to be taught one thing new. Though he had a demanding schedule as a police officer, his dad would coach him and his two youthful sisters in nearly evert sport they participated in. A collegiate baseball participant, Aidan’s dad by no means performed organized volleyball. Nonetheless, he realized the game due to how a lot Aidan cherished it. “He confirmed me that it’s alright to be taught from these youthful and extra skilled. I’ve watched him spend many hours with membership and school coaches asking questions on how he will be higher,” added Aidan.

Final 12 months throughout his sophomore season, Aidan determined to be taught one thing new and change into licensed as a Junior Official. To his shock, the method was fairly easy.

“I signed up for an analysis at a ladies’ membership match, the place I noticed and was taught the best way to officiate. As soon as accomplished, I used to be then instructed to finish coursework with a purpose to be licensed to officiate and earn my credentials. I’ve all the time had respect for our Officers. I make it a precedence to shake their arms after matches. After officiating myself, I’ve much more respect for our officers,” stated Aidan.

This 12 months, Aidan is hoping to have the ability to officiate extra usually. The problem is that he’s concerned in so many extracurriculars on high of membership volleyball. Aidan grew to become concerned in The IDEA, or Illinois Design Educators Affiliation, competitors, the place college students can enter into many classes, together with however not restricted to CAD, Architectural Design, Engineering Design, and Board. College students can showcase their expertise of their respective fields that pertain to engineering and design. Aidan participated in Introductory CAD, the place he positioned first in Regionals, after which third in State. As well as, Aidan is concerned in Robotics Membership, the Pupil Advisory Committee, Expertise Pupil Affiliation, band and beforehand he was in musical theatre.

Apart from enjoying volleyball, Aidan’s different ardour is engaged on automobiles with my family and friends. The primary time he labored on a automotive was together with his dad to alter the oil on his Police Interceptor race automotive.

“Though it was my first time, I loved each minute of getting my arms soiled and spending time with my dad. We labored on that automotive to make it race prepared for weeks, the place we modified quite a few components collectively. Come race day, I used to be within the pits, able to are inclined to his wants. Since then, I’ve modified the oil on my uncle’s automotive alongside him, and even began a challenge automotive with my associates,” shared Aidan.

Aidan actually enjoys making a distinction in others’ lives, irrespective of how small. One other attribute he credit to studying from his dad.

“The quantity of occasions I’ve been in a position to make my teammates chuckle, whether or not with or at me (principally at me), is nearly unparalleled. I’ve additionally been in a position to lead by instance, by working laborious, which inspires my teammates to additionally work tougher, making a distinction for them. I need to be the man that pushes everybody to be higher. Volleyball has taught me that expertise can solely get you up to now and that arduous work and dedication off the court docket is what makes me stronger.”

Engaged in group service, Aidan has volunteered for numerous tasks together with cleansing up after a twister, volunteering at Feed My Ravenous Youngsters and Particular Olympics, in addition to taking part in Polar Plunges for Particular Olympics of Illinois. He credit his mother for instilling so many values in him akin to kindness, seeing one of the best in individuals, and being thoughtful and considerate.

“My mother has modeled and taught me to assist these in want. After I was youthful and creating artwork, she would all the time inform me to not all the time simply concentrate on the article I used to be drawing however to concentrate on the damaging area, or alternative area, round it. This interprets effectively to life basically. You can’t simply concentrate on the duty at hand but in addition the larger image. I might not be the place I’m at present with out her,” shared Aidan.