Today's focus of the campaign is on student-athletes' stories and experiences that represent who they are as an individual. The purpose of this day is for students to showcase how they are more than just an athlete and to show that their stories can make a difference.

Three Salem student athletes—Savannah Whetzel, Iriana Castro Diaz, Katie Gerhardt— answered questions pertaining to their individual life and gave the following responses:

Savannah Whetzel 2023, Softball

Was there a time you demonstrated resilience?
I am actually having to demonstrate resilience right now in my life. I am currently overcoming a second shoulder surgery. After missing my senior season in high school because of the first one, I was hoping that would be the end of an already long road, but that was not the case. With these two surgeries behind me, it has made me realize that we cannot take anything for granted. We never know when our last day playing the sport we love may be. Yes, it may seem scary, but we have to be resilient and overcome adversity as we face it.

Can you write a brief letter to your former self about the importance of your sport and how it has impacted you? It can be a short paragraph or just a few sentences.
Dear younger Savannah, thank you for putting in all the hard work throughout the years. Thank you for sacrificing your body, time with friends, high school football games, birthdays, and so much more for the sport you grew to love. Thank you for choosing softball as your sport because it has given you a great life and long term friends who have turned into family. All I can say is thank you for choosing to play softball because it has made you the woman you are today and taught you so many life lessons that you would have not been able to go through and learn without it. Thank you.

Iriana Castro Diaz 2024, Softball

Post a picture of yourselves in a non-athletic environment doing something you. If you decided to post a picture, explain why or how this represents you and your story.
Fortaleza Street inside of Viejo San Juan perfectly encapsulates my island's beauty. Puerto Rico is not only the island I was born in but a place that I identify with. Every time I go back to my roots, I always go back to the place that ties in my ethnic identity.

Was there a time you demonstrated resilience?
As a Hispanic female in 2016, there was a lot of discrimination placed against me and others who identified similarly with me. It took a lot of courage for others and I to stand up for our cause and present ourselves as more than our stereotypes.

Can you write a brief letter to your former self about the importance of your sport and how it has impacted you? It can be a short paragraph or just a few sentences.
Dear younger me, I hope you know by now that softball is more than just winning a game. It's more than just getting a big hit. It's about building yourself up, and helping out your friends along the way in order to succeed. It's about defeating those mental battles with yourself. Softball is more than just a sport, it's determination and pride.

Katie Gerhardt 2024, Softball

Post a picture of yourselves in a non-athletic environment doing something you enjoy. If you decided to post a picture, explain why or how this represents you and your story.

On my off time. I like to go to the beach with my friends to relax and take my mind off my responsibilities for a bit.

Was there a time you demonstrated resilience?
I have been injured a few times which made me have to quit playing softball for a while. Once I was able to get back into it. I got aggravated because I wasn't where I wanted to be. I almost decided to quit. But with the guidance of my parents, brother and coaches I didn't and I'm so happy.

Can you write a brief letter to your former self about the importance of your sport and how it has impacted you? It can be a short paragraph or just a few sentences.
Dear Past Katie, don't give up as much as you want to. I know it's hard now but it will pay off in the end. Improve yourself and don't let others bring you down. You're a great ballplayer. Trust me. You're destined for greatness. -Future Katie