When I was 3 years old, I rode on my first airplane.
This flight, however, wasn’t for vacation or
business. We were flying to our new home in Vancouver, Canada. My brother, my sister, and
my mom were all venturing across the Pacific Ocean to start our new lives in North America
while my dad stayed behind in South Korea, working to keep us fed and healthy. While living in
Vancouver, I discovered a passion that would fuel me throughout my whole life. This fueling
passion would be ice hockey. This sport has helped me through my ups and downs and pushed
me to be a better person. It has opened countless opportunities for me and provided me with
relationships that will never be broken. Throughout my 11 years of playing ice hockey, I have
always been forever grateful to the sport and the positive changes it has bestowed on me.
When I was 6 years old, my mom and I would go to the ice hockey rink every day for a few
hours at a time. While my brother and sister were at school, my mom needed to find a way to
use up all my pent-up energy. Luckily, there was an ice rink only 5 minutes away from our
house called the Kerrisdale Ice Arena. I would spend hours at the rink, playing hockey or just
skating around. When I turned 7, I joined a club travel team called the Vancouver Thunderbirds,
where I learned the team aspect of the game. When I turned 12 years old, my mom and I
moved to Toronto to further pursue hockey and play in one of the best youth hockey leagues in
the world. After two years of playing in Toronto, my whole family moved to the sunny state of
California, where I played hockey for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. There, I developed my skills and
was able to get recognition from different teams, schools, and leagues. I was fortunate enough
to get drafted by a junior hockey league team and am currently playing there right now.
Evidently, hockey has taken me on a wild journey and has given me the opportunity to grow as
a person with every new location.
My whole life has always revolved around hockey. Hockey has grown to be a huge part of my
life. This sport has given me new friends, life skills, and just overall happiness and purpose.
With every new hockey year, I meet new and old teammates from all over the world. I have
friends from the Czech Republic, Korea, Canada, and many different countries that unite us with
one commonality: our love for hockey. Hockey has also presented me with life skills that I will
carry with me forever. The discipline of listening to coaches, the patience of waiting for a pass,
the teamwork with teammates, and the responsibility of having a role within a team. These skills
will forever be with me and make me a better person. Most importantly, hockey has given me
joy in my life. The thrill of playing the game, the forever bond with all of my teammates, and the
journey hockey has taken me have fulfilled my life and given me purpose and joy.
I believe every person has a purpose in our world. Hockey has given me the opportunity to
make an impact on this world, no matter how big or small. Through the game of hockey, I am
able to bring positivity into our world. Hockey also unites people from all over the world,
regardless of gender, race, or age. It provides a clear example of how the world should be
unified and open to everyone. These aspects of hockey have changed me into a better person
that tries to bring the principles of hockey into the world.
Hockey has given me a place in the world. My passion and love for the game has brought me
on a crazy journey. Hockey has been a part of me since I first started skating at 6 years old.
Since then, I have been trying to play for as long as I can and as much as I can. Throughout
these years, I have grown so much into a better human being and couldn’t be more grateful to
the sport. Hockey has taught me many lessons, like never giving up, being patient, and working
as a team. I hope to continue growing and learning by further pursuing my dreams, by learning
at your prestigious school, and by helping me better the world.