When you attend an Iowa Girls High School State tournament or meet, what do you see? Does the bright pink catch your eye right away? Is it the smiling faces of the IGHSAU staff or is it the excitement and passion from the student-athletes that draws your attention? Over the past seven months, I have had the opportunity to be an intern for the IGHSAU and have experienced the different aspects of how the IGHSAU operates to create a positive experience throughout the high school careers of student-athletes in Iowa.
Through my internship, I have learned the value of being an Iowa Girl. The amount of time and effort that goes into each sport, each tournament, each meet, has shown me how lucky I am to have been a part of high school sports. The IGHSAU dedicates themselves to ensure that all student-athletes create long lasting memories that they will cherish forever. As a student-athlete myself, I have had the opportunity to create memories with my teammates and coaches that I will never forget because of what the IGHSAU has done for high school sports. The IGHSAU makes me feel proud to be an Iowa Girl and, through their work, inspires me to strive to be the best I can be in the classroom and on the field. My experience with the IGHSAU has made me appreciate all of the little things that I am able to do throughout my high school athletic experience.
Through high school sports, I have developed my leadership skills, my problem-solving skills, and my ability to communicate with others. The IGHSAU has given me a platform to strengthen my skills and my abilities not only through my internship but through sports as well. I have gained appreciation for all of the things that I am able to experience and witness through my high school experience; things like social media posts that honor hard work both on the field and in the classroom, the elaborate state tournaments and meets, and most importantly, the color pink to represent the honor it is to be an Iowa Girl. I am grateful for the memories that I have made working and being a part of an amazing organization that values not only sports, but the well-being of its student-athletes.