His sports journey hasn’t been easy, but he never gives up. He works every day, supports his teammates, and keeps pushing himself to grow
Thank you for supporting Ashton in this competition. Your participation made a huge impact for the Why Not You Foundation and their mission to empower change in the world, one individual at a time and one child at a time.
What is Youth Athlete of the Year?
Learn MoreHe loves the challenge of getting better. Whether it’s basketball, swimming, volleyball or karate, he loves learning new skills and seeing his hard work pay off. Most of all, he loves being part of a team and encouraging the people around him. Sports have taught him that being good at something isn’t about being naturally talented—it’s about showing up, practicing, learning from setbacks and believing you can improve.
His biggest inspiration is his own coaches, who have helped him see what he is capable of and build his confidence. He also inspires us with his own determination. He once told me, “I have already accepted I am not good at sports.” Today, he practices daily, competes with confidence and encourages his teammates. Watching him prove his younger self wrong has been incredibly inspiring.
The moment that makes me proudest is when he made his school basketball team after not making it the year before. Rather than giving up, he said, “I know I’m good at basketball, but maybe I didn’t have the skill set they were looking for.” He worked on his skills every day and tried again. Watching him turn disappointment into determination showed me just how much he had grown—not only as an athlete, but as a person.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Youth Athlete of the Year, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
