TYLER, Texas – I had dreamed of this day. I had practiced, trained, and worked to make sure I would be prepared when it came. The hours, the sweat, the tears, and even the occasional blood… oh, so precious blood, all of which I had surrendered to the basketball court, for the sake of my team. Finishing the regular season 10-2, my varsity team qualified for the Texas Christian Athletic League Basketball State Tournament, to be played on Feb. 25-26, 2010.

My team was overjoyed, but to me it was more than just a tournament, more than just a fun trip to Waxahachie, Texas. For me it was my chance to prove myself, prove myself to a league we had just joined, prove myself to my coach and my teammates. Then, there was that small dream inside of me, too.

In the days leading up to the tournament I trained extra hard, running, jumping, shooting baskets and dribbling furiously. I was determined to be the best. I knew that I would have to play with excellence at all times. I knew that as the team leader, my abilities and decisions could either continue or end our season. But once again I knew that not only did I need to play that way for my teammates, I needed to play that way for myself.

During those days I prepared myself mentally, determined to play with excellence, integrity, and respect, respect for the game and the players. I was able to prepare myself using a set of skills learned thanks to my participation in a different program, skills that some players my age seldom discover. They are skills that I have learned from my membership in Civil Air Patrol.

CAP has taught me leadership and self-discipline. CAP has awakened my sense of integrity, excellence, and respect, showing me that these traits can build my character and make me a better person. These are a small portion of the many things CAP has taught me, but each one has increased my abilities as an athlete, and helped me develop a stronger, kinder, better character. Each one has instilled within me a set of values, laying the foundation for me to find out who I am, no matter what I do, or where I go. They have given me the self-confidence to achieve a higher level of play and intensity.

To me, playing a game with integrity and excellence is much like doing something in CAP. I am focused, prepared, and willing to give it my all, no matter what the outcome, or what is happening around me. Those skills have taught me to play hard and with purpose no matter what the score, they have created a player inside of me that won't stop till the whistle blows.

1. 2. 3. 4.

[1] Members of Lighthouse Christian Varsity pose with the Chick-fil-a cow, just before the opening ceremonies, on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. [2] Our first game played on Feb. 25, 2010 - Crusaders vs. Katy Christian Academy. Cadet Carr is #12. [3] Starters for Lighthouse Christian Academy await their announcement at the start of the final-four game vs. Houston Central, played on Feb. 26, 2010. Starters are (L-R) #12 Jesse Carr, #23 Kody Erwin, #3 Nathan Wright, #11 Keith Erwin, and #10 Wesley Fay. [4] On Apr. 10, 2009, Cadet 1st Lt. Isaac Niedrauer, Cadet 1st Lt. John Shanahan and Cadet 2nd Lt. Jesse Carr, all members of the Tyler Composite Squadron, address members of the Tyler Rose Capital Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. (Photos4, Lt. Col. and Mrs. Terry Howlett); all others, Mrs. Kerry Carr)

Without the leadership skills I developed as a result of CAP's teachings, I wouldn’t be the player that I am today. Being an athlete and a leader on the court has proven to me that the skills I am learning in my CAP training are universal, applicable to my life itself, and work just as well outside as inside the program. Basketball has shown me that my leadership skills are as valuable when I am a CAP member as when I'm playing on the court, or engaged in the workplace, even studying at school.

All things come to an end. At the tournament, my team finished 1-1, taking third place. Our loss in the final four, although tough for us to accept, was graceful. But even with that loss I was satisfied with my playing and proud of my accomplishments. I knew that I had played with excellence, and that I had proved it by doubling my season point average at the tournament, where I averaged 29.5 points a game.

The best part came as a great surprise to me, as I received the high honor of meriting the number one spot on first team All State. I was overjoyed for myself, but sad for my team-mates.

To claim my success on the court without crediting CAP for having given me the tools with which to do it would be a lie. I owe my success to adults who have impacted my game, to my parents, to the CAP senior members who have spent their time mentoring me, teaching me, and leading me. Their knowledge and example encouraged me to be dedicated, and has helped me create the person and player that I am today. Without that training I couldn't have done my best and played my heart out.

To me, success is measured not only by what others see, but by how I feel inside. If I know I have played my heart out, given it everything I had inside of me, and done my very best, losing is the same as winning. There is no feeling like the one you get when the buzzer sounds – and you know that you had more to give, yet you held it back. I've felt that before, when I was much younger, and I never want to experience it again. And I know I won't.