Personal Statement

 I am motivated each day to improve myself in some way, no matter how small. Athletically, academically, or personally, it is important to me that I continually move forward toward greater achievements and greater goals. Improvement is a process that requires dedication and hard work, and I enjoy the feeling of having accomplished a goal that is the result of putting in the hours and the effort that were necessary to make it happen. It is satisfying to me when I can look at myself and know that I did my best on a certain assignment. It is an even better feeling when I look at my teammates and know that they have no doubt I will give them my best every down and every play, and that I expect the same from them.

I pride myself on being reliable. I pride myself on knowing that no single person on the football field will give more personal effort to achieve the team goal than I will. I pride myself in accepting academic challenges that force me to rise and exceed the level of the standards set by the faculty, including my honors and AP professors. I pride myself in knowing that when asked to switch positions from TE to LT, I gave every ounce of effort I possibly could to learn those skills, improve myself, and get better each and every practice and game.  My hard work paid off and I performed well, and more importantly, I left every bit of effort I could give out on the field each and every game. 

I want to continue to improve myself at the next level. I want to build on the foundation that my faith, my family, and my school have given me and grow as a student and an athlete. I want to be not just part of a team, but a contributor and a leader. I cannot wait to see what the future holds when I apply all of the lessons that I’ve learned and all of the skills that I’ve acquired to a new set of challenges, in the classroom and on the field.

- Jacob Ritchie