Personal Statement
Hello, my name is John Dyson, and I am from Vienna, Virginia. I am a junior at James Madison High School where I have a 3.3 GPA. I took the ACT for the first time in October, and I scored a 26. My goal is to succeed in college as a student and a collegiate soccer player. I am 5'9" tall and weigh 180 lbs. I believe that soccer has taught me not only athletic skills but also the leadership skills and work ethic that is needed to succeed in a college environment.
I am captain of my club team, and I have played in many different positions, primarily as left back, center back, and striker. I was a starter at left back on my high school varsity soccer team as a sophomore, and I also played varsity as a freshman. I am a starter now in my junior year. I have been told that I am very coachable. I am often called upon by both of my teams to execute long throw-ins as I have an over 40 yard throw-in as I demonstrate on my highlight video. I am a leader on the field, and I am dedicated to improving my own and my team's performance every day I step on the field for practice or a game. I also am a leader off of the field, working hard to give back to my community and to help those who are not as fortunate as I am. In addition to soccer, I have been a competitive swimmer on my summer and high school teams and was selected to be captain of my high school swim team next year. I also used my swimming skills by working as a volunteer with a non-profit organization that teaches children from low-income families how to swim for the past four years. I tried to show the young boys and girls I taught that just as they have the ability to succeed in learning to swim, they can accomplish other goals if they believe in themselves. That organization dissolved this year when its founder had to move to Chicago, so now I volunteer with VYS Tops, an organization that teaches soccer skills to children with mental and physical disabilities. I enjoy working with the children very much, and it makes me appreciate how blessed I am to not have a disability.
As a collegiate soccer player, I will give my best effort every day, both in the classroom and on the field. I am looking for a school that will allow me to obtain an excellent education while playing at a high level with other dedicated players so that I can continue to improve my skills.
