My chosen artifact is my senior track and field baton. Engraved on the side of the luminous green baton is my event and time; a rare and distinct honor that indicates that I was able to graduate from the program while holding a school record. This award represents my passion for and commitment to Mason Varsity Track and Field throughout all four years of high school. After recovering from a hamstring injury that set me back a year, achieving this feat proves my ability to recover, overcome, and persevere. This artifact is the capstone of my entire track and field career.

Track, while usually viewed as an independent sport, has taught me teamwork and leadership skills. It has allowed me to experience every role from the mentee (freshman year) to the mentor (senior year). It has showed me hard days of practice and grit and has introduced me to some of the most important people in my life; role models that I will remember forever. Most importantly, track proves that results do not come without hard work. These are all traits that I carry over and use in my everyday life.

This award represents so much more than just track; it represents the effort that came with it and my personality growth during my high school career. The tangible artifact is only so important–it is what the artifact stands for that will take me far.