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Second Chance

Second Chance

This is my story in a nutshell. I am a full time mother, a full time wife, a full time student, and a full time athlete. I am writing this essay because I believe that my story is one that needs to be told.

My name is Malia Naukana-Christensen and I am 39 years old. I am a mother to 2 boys, ages 12 and 5, and one girl, who is 3 years old. My husband and I celebrated 14 years of marriage this past July. My family is my inspiration.

This past summer I decided that if I could get my daughter into school that I would go back to the University of Hawaii at Hilo as a full time student and try out as a walk on for the university’s softball team. Two weeks before school started I was able to find a preschool for my daughter, it felt like for the first time that things were just falling into place for me, it felt like there was a higher force allowing me this opportunity to reach for my dreams. I truly felt great about this. I’ve always told my family that they can do anything if they put their minds to it. Now I was at that place, I was putting my mind to it. I was able to get enough classes to have a full time schedule so I could try out for the softball team. That day was September 4th. I was a little excited, but I had a lot of support there watching me. What I really did not want in my mind was to stick out, but how can a 39 year old woman not stick out amongst 18,19,20 year olds all trying out.

Well I made the team, I am going to school and I am finally able to finish something that I started 20 years ago. The best part about going to school now is that I’ve got a wonderful family that is supporting me in every way. My children, especially my oldest son Reece thinks that it’s really cool that his mom is at the university and playing softball with a bunch of girls that are half my age. I feel that my time being a stay home mom for the past 12 years and giving my children a great foundation for them to be who they are has also helped me to understand what I really want to be. My goal is to become a teacher and since I love sports, I think that it would be best to be a physical education and health teacher.


WE'RE GIVING AWAY 15 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND A TRIP TO

WHAT INSPIRES YOU??
What inspires you to be a champion? A leader? To make a difference? Is it a friend, teacher, or relative? Is it the sport you play or team you support? Is it music or art, a movie or artist of some kind? Is it the place you live or something you saw on the news...WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION? We want to know! Inspire Champs Sports and win one of 15 college scholarship!

HOW TO ENTER
TWO ways to enter:

  • Create a short video – 2 minutes maximum OR
  • Submit a photo of you and/or your inspiration and a 500-word
    (or less) essay.
Show and tell us about your inspiration - why it's important to you, how it motivates you, what it makes you want to accomplish, etc. Make it as simple or elaborate as you want - whatever helps you get your message across. All entries will be judged on originality, creativity, and story. All entries must be submitted by midnight, November 30, 2008. All winners will be selected on or about December 5, 2008.

WHAT YOU CAN WIN
Three finalists will be selected by our panel of judges. Each will win a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl on December 27, 2008. The grand prize “Champs Sports Champion” will be revealed at the game doubling his/her scholarship to $10,000. Trip includes airfare, hotel, and ground transportation for winner and one guest provided by VisitOrlando.com. Twelve runner-ups will each win a $2,500 college scholarship.

OTHER STUFF

  • You must be at least 14 years old to enter and a legal resident of the United States.
  • You can only enter ONCE, so make sure you have everything the way you want it before uploading your entry!
  • For more information on any part of the contest, please see the OFFICIAL RULES.
  • If you have any questions, please email scholarship@champssports.com and we will try to respond within 24 hours.
Inspire us with what inspires you and you could win money for college!

Trips and accommodations provided by Radisson World Gate Resort Orlando and VisitOrlando.com.



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Photo Upload:
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