There comes a time in an athlete’s life when they must give up on their adolescent dreams. They stop dribbling the ball, picking up the racket, or lacing up the cleats–a moment of growth and heartbreak all at once. It’s a point of moving on and evolving into something greater at the expense of leaving behind a piece of the identity that once defined them. A childhood focal point is exchanged for an unknown path yet to be explored. For many students at North Atlanta, this moment has already come.
Adelaide Middleton is a star on the Dubs soccer team and can be attributed lots of praise for their success. However, just a couple years prior she was a critical component to the cross country team. Middleton began her running career after accompanying her father on some of his adventures and admitted that she used the activity to aid her soccer performances–a decision that would prosper many conflicts further down the road. However, looking back on it now, there are aspects of the sport that she holds near and dear to her heart–the amazing teammates, consistent exercise, and the ultimate satisfaction of crossing that finish line. Middleton commemorates the game for paving the way to who she is as a consistent and dedicated athlete willing to put forth all her effort. She said, “even though I left the game, the game left me with memories for a lifetime.”
Another junior here at North Atlanta, Ty Jones, once lived and breathed the game of baseball until the day came where he had to set it aside. Introduced to the sport when his dad first signed him up, Jones quickly fell in love. Weekends were spent revolving around the thrill of tournaments, taking swings, and playing catch in the front yard. However, after a tough season, that spark soon dimmed, and the game that once fueled his passion began to lose its magic. Although his interest faded, Jones said that he will always cherish the times he had with his teammates, coaches, and family. He said, “baseball was at its peak when I could enjoy it with people I loved being around.”
Junior John Stevens also grew up playing baseball, following in his father’s footsteps after being introduced to the sport at a young age. For many years, the game was constant in his life. That was until the summer going into his sophomore year, he said, when the joy began to disappear. Frustrated with a struggling team and uninspired to continue, Stevens ultimately made the choice to let his career on the diamond come to an end. Unlike some who miss the game after leaving it behind, Stevens admits he rarely looks back on it. “I may want to return to the game sometime in the future, but for now that chapter of my life has closed,” he said.
Departing from something you once loved isn’t loss but growth, and for these athletes, it’s about appreciating what once was and treasuring the memories of it all.
