A letter to the coaches who changed my life.
The best coaches don't just teach you how to be good at the game but also a good person. Some athletes may come across a dedicated coach but I got lucky and received three. Three generous, passionate, forgiving coaches. Not only did they help me fall in love with the game but they saved my life. No amount of thank yous will show my gratitude and love for them. I'd been playing tennis for five years when I met them, I liked it enough to keep playing but I wasn't anything special, I was thinking of giving up tennis. How lucky was I to have them put in my life at the right time. The first day I walked in I had no idea that my life would be changed forever.
Teza: You were the heart. You always made me feel like I could reach higher in life and that I was capable of more. You consistently pushed me to play harder, run faster, and to fight for every point which carried over to my personality; giving up isn't an option. As I started to grow you encouraged me to consider playing college tennis, I thought it was impossible. Years later here I am playing college tennis like you said I could. Nothing I say can show how much you mean to me. Thank you for pushing me, seeing my potential, and sticking with me no matter how stubborn I was.
Jb: You were the mind. I have learned a lot of from you, things that you had to spell out and others that I observed. Besides the sarcasm of course, one of the most important things you taught me was that being a good person starts with me and I can’t make the change for someone else, I had to do it for me. You always knew when to give me space and when to show tough love. I don’t think I’ll be capable to explain how much those talks were needed, when you’d pull me to the side and just ask if I was okay. You made me realize that I can’t play tennis if I wasn’t 100% there, which meant mentally and physically. Thank you for lending a ear when I needed it, thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and for having hope for me when I was hopeless.
Kela: You were the soul. I know for sure I will never meet someone who works harder than you, who is kinder than you, and who is more optimistic than you. When I joined your club that wasn’t really a spot for me, you took the time to try and create a group so that I could play, I have never nor will I ever forget that. Everything you did and still do seems so selfless, and I carry that with me in hopes that I can be the ‘Kela’ in someone else's life.I wasn’t too happy with myself or life and you noticed that, you could’ve ignored it, instead you gave me work to do. You taught me valuable life lessons. You gave me a thirst to try new things and to look at the world differently. Thank you helping me reach a place in my life where I am happy, satisfied, and content.
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Swifties from around the Delaware Valley flooded South Philadelphia for a three-day Swift-a-palooza, with many bejeweled in ‘style’ from head to toe, symbolizing the eras of the Reading, Pennsylvania natives' decade-long career in the music industry. Fans camped out overnight just to get their hands on the tour's well-made merchandise to commemorate the upcoming evening. You could feel the anticipation building inside and outside the sold-out stadium as Swift was set to take the stage hours from showtime.
Fresh off a Grammy nomination for song of the year, GAYLE was first to open the tour with seven genre-blending selections that had a large majority of fans rise to their feet. The ‘abcdefu’ singer had such poise and pureness in her vocals, and the chemistry between her bass player and drummer was unmatched. My favorite part of her set was a rock-infused tribute to Elton John's 1973 iconic hit, ‘Bennie and the Jets’. It’s a tough song to cover, and GAYLE did it justice and more.
Phoebe Bridgers followed moments later, dressed alongside her band in their signature black skeleton suits. Bridger's folk-infused hits were a delight to hear live, and I love the storybook visuals that portrayed how each song felt like a new chapter in her life. Matt Healy, frontman of the 1975 and Swift’s rumored-to-be boyfriend, was on guitar for the entire set, which was a surprise to the audience.
With a 46-song set spanning the ‘eras’ of Taylor, the twelve-time Grammy Winner took fans on a musical journey through her dozen album discography, beginning with Lover and ending with her latest album, Midnights, released late last year. It’s been nearly five years since Swift performed back in her hometown with her Reputation Tour in 2018. Since then, she has released four projects and two re-recordings of her albums Fearless and Red, each of which has never been performed live until now. In a previous interview, Swift said she wants fans who have seen her previous shows to have a completely different feeling each tour, and this statement couldn’t ring more true. She knows what the fans want ‘all too well’. And unsurprisingly, Swift and her team have outdone themselves once again. The tour is a testament to Taylor’s pure genius and a creative visionary mind, bringing her songs and sets to new heights in imaginative fashion.
Energetic dance performance under the spotlight.
It’s so fascinating to see live how strong the connection is between Swift and her fans. Unlike some of her colleagues in the industry, Taylor has songwriting credits on each of her timeless songs, focusing on topics such as heartbreak, depression, and childhood innocence. The personal anecdotes and honesty in her music make fans feel like they know her through her art of songwriting. Even with over seventy-thousand in attendance, Taylor made each fan feel like they were seen and heard as she gracefully danced her way around the stage, waving and blowing kisses to everyone she could see in her field of vision. From beginning to end Swift had such swagger and charisma on stage. She was born to entertain, and the audience was bedazzled by her presence.
Taylor Swift in a purple coat, captivating the crowd on stage.
Fans had immense energy from start to finish, singing every word and ad-lib as if they wrote it themselves. Mid-way through the show, fans gave Swift a rapturous ten-minute standing and cheering ovation that was loud enough to hear miles down the road. Taylor matched the energy and more and was filled with so much vigor and vibrancy in her performance. She took time throughout the show to speak directly to her fans with humble, down-to-earth interactions.
“Hi, I’m Taylor. Whether or not you intended to, you’ve ended up at my hometown show. I grew up right down the road.”, Swift said. Wearing a sparkling gray dress and matching boots, Taylor kicked off the show in her Lover Era with ‘Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince’ as her backup dancers paraded around her in elegant peacock-esque outfits. The visuals made me feel as if I was in the clouds as Swift danced on a box that rose above the stage. Swift seamlessly transitioned into her hit ‘Cruel Summer’, and the stage was filled with purple and pink aesthetics that looked like milky ways in the night sky. My favorite song of the Lover Era is by far ‘The Man’, a song about the mistreatment between men and women in our culture. With a creative three-story office set, upbeat liveliness from Swift and her suit-wearing dancers, and dramatic facial expressions, it felt as if I were inside one of her music videos.
Taylor Swift shines on stage in a sparkling outfit and boots.
Each Era felt perfectly timed and refreshing with new costumes, vibrant aesthetics, set design, and song choices, with the production quality of a broadway play. While I thought each Era brought something special, my personal favorite was Red. Sprinkled in with upbeat jams like ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ and ‘We Are Never Getting Back Together’, Taylor brought Phoebe Bridgers back on stage to sing their duet of ‘Nothing New’. Their soul-stirring voices were succinct and in perfect harmony as they ricocheted throughout the stadium, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the building after it was over. Taylor ended the set with her ten-minute version of ‘All too Well’, and the song gave me chills to hear live. The LED light-up bracelets given to every concert-goer transformed the stadium into a sea of red that looked like twinkling stars. If this is what heaven feels like, then I can’t wait to go.
Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers sharing a joyful duet on stage.
The Eras tour is a dazzling delight, a first-class concert experience that is pure euphoria, bliss, and happiness. It’s a must-see show that will make everyone who witnesses it leave feeling ‘22’.
Luckily, many colleges offer a number of ways to take part in campus and community life, without forcing you to dedicate all of your time to these organizations. Here are a few ideas!
1. Look into Housing and Dining.
Many first-year students start off college life in residence halls, and the Housing & Dining network throughout campus often provides multiple opportunities for students throughout the year. Many buildings have student community councils that work to create policies and events that make the dorms a more welcoming home for residents. Becoming a community assistant (or the students who work the desks at the front of many halls) is another easy way to have a consistent, well-paying job only minutes away from your room.
If you really enjoyed your housing experience, consider applying to be an RLA, or, if the school offers it, help to teach the first-year community. You'll get the chance to help support new and returning students over the year, and many of these positions also cover major costs like board and meal plans.
2. Pay attention to campus postings.
This advice is more obvious, but it still gets overlooked a fair amount. Even on a busy day, taking the time to stop around campus and look at the flyers advertising clubs and events can draw your attention to something that you never would've noticed otherwise. Students on many campuses also chalk the sidewalk to catch students' attention while they walk to class. Just make sure that the event you're interested in hasn't taken place already!
3. Find common interest groups.
One way to find friends and get involved is to focus on what you're passionate about. Have you always loved to sing? Do you enjoy playing video games? Is photography your favorite past-time? Have you always wanted to join Greek life? Whatever you love devoting your time to, chances are there are organizations around school who are focused on the same thing. Check the student life section of your university's website, or stop by a student organization fair at the beginning of the semester.
4. Join an intramural sports team.
If you're the athletic type, you've probably heard of intramural sports. Often offered through the Rec Center or the residence halls, most colleges often offer various indoor and outdoor sports to take part in throughout the year. Personal favorite? Mini golf.
5. Work on a cause that you care about.
Whether you're passionate about a political group, a social cause, or a religion, working with people who value beliefs similar to yours can be an easy way to meet people, get a better sense of your own identity, and promote causes that are important to you. Look into getting involved with College Democrats, Republicans, or whatever party that you belong to. Find a club that supports social issues, from women's rights to protecting the environment. If you're religious, look into student organizations based on your faith.
6. Join a club related to your major.
Even if you're not entirely sure what you want to do after school, finding a club or organization related to your field of studies can benefit you long after you leave the classroom. From career-related workshops to conferences to professional connections, these groups have a lot to boast.
7. Get an on-campus job.
If you have the time, need to work, or want to save a few extra dollars, finding a job on or near campus is a time-effective way to build up your bank account and gain work experience. Check in your residence hall (see #1), at local businesses and offices, or make an appointment with your school's career center.
8. Volunteer.
When you're caught up in school life, it can be hard to think about the bigger picture. Volunteering your time to people (or animals/an environment) in need puts things in perspective and allows you to feel good while making a positive difference. Check if your college town has a volunteer page, or look up local organizations requesting help.
Best of luck this year! Get out, and get busy.
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