My name is Zach Mamrol, I am 17 years old and I am a junior at Central High School. When I am not in school I am playing soccer. My faith really helps me to play well. Whenever I pray or ask God for protection I always feel and play better. My faith has given me a strong sense of dedication and pride. I use Jesus’ sacrifices for me as a motivator to always get better and try harder. As Father Jim once said during a homily, “It is a sin to be good when you are called to be great.” I also coach a soccer team because I want to give back and help the neighborhood the same way my coaches have helped me. It is very rewarding when you are able to teach kids great values like sportsmanship and hard work, while you help them get into shape.

     Last year, I won an award out of 800 people for outstanding community service. But the real reward is when your make an impression on a player and help make them a winner just not in sports, but in life. I always hold myself to a high level of effort and I have a never quit or say die attitude when playing. I feel like I am fulfilling God’s call whenever I can help a player develop these same values and push themselves to be the best they can be. My mother has had a great impact on me in developing strong values and morals. My mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was only 4 years old, and is now in a wheelchair. Faith and belief that God put me in this situation for a reason has helped me get through this hardship. It has been a lot to handle especially because she was sick when I was so young, but there have been many good things that have come from her sickness. The most important things I have learned are to be responsible and mature, and that life knocks you down the winners get right back up.

     I have a younger brother and sister so it was my responsibility to care for them when my mother couldn’t. Soccer and church are two great ways to take out my anger from my mom being sick. They are two great ways to release any emotions I have in a positive way. I also enjoy a few other hobbies in the little time I have between school and soccer. I especially enjoy cooking, and I love to barbeque during the summer. I also like reading American History. I also love listening to ZZ Top songs and eating all the food I can get my hands on. It is also junior year for me so I am looking at colleges and plan to attend a Catholic university. Luckily for me I have good SAT scores with about a 600 math 600 reading, and close to 600 writing. I am very grateful for all the talents and gifts that I have, and going to church helps me thank God for all he has given me.