It was a cloudy and cold afternoon at the tail end of winter. There was a slight drizzle as I strapped on my hockey pads. I grabbed my blue jersey and forced it over my shoulders. My heart was racing as I did so because I was getting ready to try out for a spot on the Boston Junior Rangers. I grabbed my bag and stick then stumbled towards the car, bound for Tewksbury. 

As we drove, I talked with my father. “Dad,” I called, “I’m pretty nervous. I don’t

know if I’ll do good.”

“You’ll do fine,” He lectured, comfortingly. “I know what kind of player you are. No matter what, keep putting in 100% effort.”

“Okay,” I responded. When I arrived at the rink, I greeted some friends who were also trying out. As I laced up my skates, I sat in silence while others chatted; I was thinking about how I would win spots over the rest of them. 

I cautiously stepped out onto the ice, and I felt like my skates had minds of their own, but eventually I gained control and we started the drills. I tried to stay focused, but I messed up a few times. Occasionally I passed too early, took a bad shot, or didn’t make a play I probably should have. I hung my head a bit, but I remembered what my dad said: I have to keep giving my full effort. I kept doing the drills at full speed. I kept trying to make the best play possible. 

After a while, we started the scrimmage. We were divided into two teams, and the match started. I kept up fairly well but still sort of felt like an odd one out. But my determination pushed me to keep going. After practice finished, some players were jovial, while others seemed to be in the same situation as me, sagging their heads, muttering insults to themselves, and feeling like their playing was subpar. I got home and told my parents that I didn’t think I would make the team, and I went to sleep in a melancholy mood.

I woke up and began gloomily getting my stuff together for school, dragging my feet and hanging my head. As I was eating breakfast, my mother, to my surprise, walked into the kitchen with a wide grin on her face. I asked her what the big news was.

“Coach just emailed me your contract!” she exclaimed excitedly. I was so relieved and shocked at the same time. I got up and hugged her, then read the email for myself, seemingly to make sure my ears didn’t deceive me. “That’s awesome!” I finally responded, after standing there, starstruck, for a moment. We were both jumping up and down enthusiastically. That day, I learned that perseverance is the most important factor in success. I may not be the most talented person there, but if I keep trying my hardest, I can do anything.