"Moving forward is not about jumping at a distant, it is about the first step you've made.

"
A wonderful and energetic day to each and every one. It is a great opportunity to welcome all of
you who gathered here today for this spectacular event. I am pretty sure that the flame inside our
body starts to ignite as this event will begin within just a couple of time. Let us give all our
efforts and as the very common line goes "Winners never quit and quitters never win!" We must
play with our passion and practice sportsmanship at all times. The secret for a great player is his
will in winning and accept losing. Once again let’s have a vigorous day ahead and enjoy! So,
before I start my speech I would like to introduce myself to all of you. Most of you know me and
some of you don't, let me tell you that I am John Carlo S. Adraneda and people call me "Jolo". I
am 16 years old and a Grade 11 Senior Highschool student of Saint Catherine of Siena Academy

My passion for basketball began when I was seven years old, It was my birthday when I receive
a gift of a basketball ball so I got curious and motivated how to play basketball game. Since then,
my cousins invited me to play basketball in a basketball court near in our house and he teach me
how to play it and eventually it became my passion.

After a few years i joined basketball league in our barangay at that started my passion in
basketball. Sometimes we won and sometimes we lose but despite that i was more determined to
play basketball. I always go to our plaza to play and watch my favorite players in our barangay
so that I can get some technique to them. I have always been watching PBA and NBA games on
our tv and they have been my inspiration to continue playing. My family also supported me to
play basketball. In my last year in secondary school I was chosen to represent my school in the
basketball field and here I learned a lot specially in our training. Even though
the training is hard I worked hard to learn and be prepared in our competition and eventually all
our efforts and hard work became worth it because we won the
competition.

And when I become a high school student, it seems like I lost my passion for playing basketball
because I focus myself studying my home works and assignments so I decided to stop playing
basketball and focus on my studies.

After 3 years I decided to play basketball again, because I got invited by my friends to build a
basketball team for a summer league. And because of them I got motivated to play basketball
again. We practice a lot to prepare for the summer league and as we practice playing basketball
we also build a good friendship, even though our team is not that good we get the 4th place
competing 23 teams. I only play for few minutes every game but I make sure those little minutes
is helpful to won our team. I also cheer for our team so my teammates will be motivated. I want
to get the trust of my teammates and my coach so every game we play I always make sure I am
productive and helpful to them. After that summer league I join different basketball competition
and even though sometimes I am a bench warmer I pursue what I want and I always say to
myself "I can do it!".
One of the most awaiting event in the high school life was the Intramurals. All students are
always aiming for to be the winner of each game. In my four years of participating in the
intramurals I didn't get the chance to be in the championship match, I feel lonely whenever I
didn't get the chance but I always think in my mind that maybe God has a better plan for me. So
when I became a Senior Highschool, I will make sure that I will do my best to get the chance to
be in the championship match and to be a champion. So when the Intramurals started I promise
to myself that i will do my best so that our team won, but unexpected things happened I suffered
an ankle sprain in my left ankle. It doesn't stop me playing so I continue playing my passion
because I know my team need me. We've been lucky because we get a chance to compete for the
championship. But my parents didn’t allow me to play due to my injury but I still play because I
want to win the championship. Because of our teamwork and hard work we became the
champion. I’m so happy because we became the champion and my dream became true.
I am thankful to God because he grant my wish and I’m also thankful to my teammates who
helped to achieve this and make my dream possible. For me today, it was the biggest
achievement in my basketball career because I work hard for it and I waited for this to happen
for a long time.

Michael Jordan a NBA superstar said "I've failed over and over again in my life, that's why I
succeed". Just try and try don’t give up on your dreams, always be positive in your life. Wait for
the perfect timing and God will make it happen. If you don't succeed in your first try don't give
up keep going. We learn from our mistakes, don't give up on your dreams just wait for the
perfect timing because "Good things will happen for those who wait".

Always remember when you feel like quitting, remember why you started, always remember
what are you doing for, that the pain is just temporary. Go push through the pain don't let it stop
you. Always tell yourself that "I have too much to fight for, I will not quit I must keep going."

That's it, I hope you get motivated and inspired to my true to life story. Thank you so much for
listening, again thankyou and good luck to everyone! Have a good day!
And may God bless us all!