Donavin

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

What he loves most about playing soccer and basketball is meeting new friends, learning from coaches, and having positive male role models, which is important to him as he doesn’t have a strong father figure. He enjoys building connections, growing in his skills, and seeing the progress he makes in both sports. Most of all, he loves having fun and putting in the work to be the best he can be.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

He’s most inspired by me, his mom. As a single parent, he sees my hard work, determination, and love every day. I lead by example, teaching him strong values, work ethic, and how to stay grounded. Our talks about life, character, and responsibility help shape his mindset. He sees the sacrifices I make and the goals I chase—not just for him, but for myself—and that motivates him to push harder on and off the field.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

One moment in his athletic journey that makes me the proudest is when he switched to a new soccer coach who challenged him with tough, yet constructive feedback. At first, he felt discouraged and wanted to quit, thinking he wasn’t good enough. I sat him down and explained that in life—and in sports—criticism isn’t meant to break you, it’s meant to build you. I told him that giving anything less than your best means someone else might step up and take your place. That moment taught him resilience