One way that I have made a difference to the community happened 2 years ago. I was a sophomore on the basketball team for Arrowhead and our team hosted 2 special needs basketball camps called Journey21.

I think these 2 events over the summer were very touching and important for me and the special needs kids because everyone in the gym really enjoyed their time. 

It started off with me getting dropped off at the school, and when I walked in, everybody was already having a good time. The camp consisted of a lot of activities whether it was relays or an actual basketball game. For every 1 camper there was 1 basketball player so it was nearly equal. I got to talk and introduce myself to my partner.

After introducing ourselves we started doing drills and activities, everyone was having a fun, exciting, and competitive time. We even played kickball during a basketball camp in which my partner and my team won the game. 

One of the last things that I think was very thoughtful was that the varsity coaches brought everyone into the new locker rooms and let the campers keep their own arrowhead jerseys. Once a picture was taken then the campers played a 5v5 game. All the players and any parents and coaches were all cheering the whole time, it was amazing. 

I think that the thing that really felt good about being there was seeing the parents' reactions. Some parents were crying but not a bad cry. It was a happy cry and it really showed how much we all warmed the kids, and the parents' hearts. At the very end, everyone got into a big photo which now is on Arrowhead Varsity Basketball’s website. 

There would be one more camp like this that summer, and now it's kind of an annual thing to do during the summer which I’m happy about.