HSBN Scholarship Essay Entry: Alex Sotus

Alex Sotus details the tough months since his season was cut short in March.

Alex Sotus, #16, from the Northeast Hurricanes, is a second baseman/outfielder that graduates with the class of 2020. Alex, like other seniors, saw his season cut short in March. He gave us some insight into what the past few months have meant to him.

Essay:

My high school experience begins with me as a freshman around 5’5 and 115 pounds. Transitioning from an infielder to an outfielder, I quickly picked up the fundamentals like a setting up to catch a fly ball and how to crow hop. I took in being an outfielder and was very proud, loving to get reads during bp and making diving plays during games.

With much trial and error, I was always hopeful, always setting goals and never giving up.

Each year I watched as my teammates had their senior seasons with senior nights and other festivities, I couldn’t help to think and envision how mine would be. After my junior year, I made a tough decision and transferred to a new school with new opportunities and high hopes.

Thinking to myself, “This is my senior year, I need to look back at this and be proud.” In preparation for my senior season I went with my other senior teammate, Logan Rose. We were truly driven; for weeks upon weeks after practice and during winter break we went to the gym with one plan, to ensure that we would have the best season of our high school careers.

Weeks before the season would start I developed an injury and could not compete in our first games of the season. Although this hurt me tremendously, I did what I always have done in putting my head down and continued to work, even under the immense pressure I put on myself.

In the mist of coming back to play healthy, the pandemic had struck, and I watched my last high school game unfold in front of my eyes.

It has been extremely tough for me to reminisce about not being able to play my final season of high school baseball and see the games being listed as canceled week by week knowing what teams were supposed to play and the experiences we would have shared.

However, when I reminisce I am proud of myself for always giving effort, whether in the weight room, bp, after practice, and even on my own to get stronger and faster. The effort of waking up early on the weekends to throw and hit, analyzing video, staying after practice to hit, going to the gym after practice, staying up until 2am doing homework after a game, and overall giving 110% effort even when I didn’t feel 100%.

All in all, although my high school career was not anything what I imagined, I’m proud of my perseverance. Although my stat line is blank throughout my four years, it was the hard work and dedication that got me to the place I am today as I am proud to announce that I will be attending Cornerstone University in the fall to further my academic and athletic career.

To any incoming freshman to high school baseball I would like to tell you to not take what you have for granted, push yourself beyond your limits, and play your heart out.

Additionally, I truly would like to thank all my coaches from this year for assisting me with all my needs and teaching me the game. Also, I would like to thank my teammates, although I just met some of them this year, they took me in as a brother, and I am proud of the bond we share.

As for COVID-19 like many others I want everything to become normal and ordinary again, but we must wait until the virus subsides. I would like thank my aunt who is a nurse battling this virus on the front line each and every day, as well as all nurses, doctors, EMTs, delivery drivers, postal workers, grocery store employees, scientists, and any other professions or individuals contributing to decrease the rate and ultimately trying to defeat this virus.

My condolences go out to any family who has lost a loved one as well as those who are battling this virus. It is now as a community and as citizens to support each other and assist one another for a greater and more fulfilling future.

Editors Note: Seniors wanting to enter the competition, follow the link below:

HSBN Senior Essay Scholarship Competition

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