HSBN Scholarship Essay Entry: Chris Cedeno

Chris had an ERA under two when his season was cut short.

Chris Cedeno, #2, from the Somerset Canyons, is a pitcher/2B that graduates with the class of 2020. Chris had an ERA under two when his season was cut short. He gave us some insight into what the past few months have meant to him.

Essay:

My name is Christopher Cedeno and I have been playing varsity baseball for Somerset Academy Canyons since I was a freshman. The virus that we now know as COVID-19 has come upon us worldwide. This pandemic that we are altogether experiencing has changed such a significant number of things in life for us all.

When you go outside you will see everybody wearing masks to protect their face and gloves to protect their hands. Everyone around me seems to be practicing social distancing.

My prayers go out to anyone that is affected by this virus and I hope that everyone stays safe during these times by taking the necessary precautionary measures. I was coming into my senior year by getting treatment for an injury I picked up during the summer and I wasn’t able to play for most of the fall season. I was itching for spring season to come around due to this being my last season of baseball.

Then it all got ended so abruptly by COVID-19. As athletes, we were always told to play every game as if it is our last and on March 13th of this year it was our last game. Our team went into the game knowing that this might be our last game of the season and we didn’t want to the game to end. We played John I. Leanard and our coach (Coach Jenco) put me in to start on the mound that day. Coach Jenco gave me the opportunity to pitch a complete game that day and since I knew that this game would be my last, I took the opportunity.

Our team prevailed that day by winning 3-1 and this couldn’t have been a better outcome. Thinking back, this was the best situation I could have for it being my last game.

I am very grateful for the past four years because I was able to make some of the best friendships and memories while playing on this team. When I first held a ball in my glove, I realized this is the thing that I needed to do. I played the game for myself since it brings me joy. I was expecting my senior year to end off with a great season and it was unfortunately cut short.

A group of fortunate athletes will continue on their academic and sports careers at the collegiate level. However, I am not included in this group by choice and I will continue my academic career in the field of science at Florida State University. As much as it pains me to say this, it is the right thing for me to do.

I have been playing baseball since I was four years old and it has always been a dream of mine to play professionally, but sometimes reality sets in and I had to make a tough decision.

As hard as it is to be a senior graduating in 2020 and having to sacrifice all of our senior activities such as Grad Bash, Prom, Graduation, etc… nothing compares to the devastation that COVID-19 has brought upon our country.

While hundreds of thousands of people are infected and tens of thousands have perished, it seems to me that our lost activities are very minuscule compared to the wrath of COVID-19. I am truly grateful that my family is healthy and we are enjoying the little things in life which is spending time together.

I would like to take this time to thank my parents, Coach Jovon Edwards, Coach Anthony LoMonaco, Coach John Drouin, Coach George Smith, Coach Vincent Jenco, and Coach Nino for giving me knowledge and ample opportunities to play the game of baseball.

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

HSBN Senior Essay Scholarship Competition

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