The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

LUCY LORENZ
KATIE BAUER AND ISABEL PIPER, TEACHERS
North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, ME
When my brother and I go snowboarding, he always says, “If you are scared,
then do it scared.” He always helps me when snowboarding and when doing
sports. He always supports me by coaching me and playing with me. He is the
best big brother most of the time because he encourages me to take risks.
Will is good at sports. He is an athletic person, and that is always hard for
me—sports are not my thing. During the winter, Will and I go to Sugarloaf
Mountain in Carrabassett Valley and snowboard every weekend. I used to ski,
but once Will started to snowboard, I decided I would, too. It was hard for me
at the start, but I got the hang of it. I started in 2020, so this will be my fifth
season on board. Will joined a snowboard association called CVA. He learned
how to race and be a better snowboarder. This made me want to do it too. I
was terrified when I first went to CVA in December 2023. Everyone looked so
good, and I was afraid I would not be able to keep up. I went every weekend,
and still do. Will goes to the park with me to help me get better at rails and
jumps. He always says, “Send it!” and he encourages me to do my best. I am
still scared to do rails and jumps, but when he sees me hesitate, he will say,
“If you’re scared, then do it scared,” and those words give me the spark I need
to try, even though I may fall.
“BECAUSE MY BIG
BROTHER BELIEVES
IN ME, HE GIVES ME
THE COURAGE TO
BELIEVE IN MYSELF.”
I tend to copy Will, even though I know it annoys him. I am his little sister—
that is just what we do! When he goes snowboarding, I always ask if I can come.
His answer is always no. I get why he does not want me to come. He is with his
friends, and I must go to CVA. I don’t love CVA, but I do it because I am
committed to it. In March 2023, I went to Copper Mountain, Colorado to
compete in nationals. I was terrified. I did not want to compete, but I did not go
to Colorado to give up. I got ready to compete in my first race, giant slalom. It
was super scary. I was going against boys and girls between the ages of eleven
and twelve. I got ready, and I set off. I was turning so fast, but I felt so slow. The
race ended. It felt like only five minutes had passed. It turned out that I had
placed number thirty-seven out of one hundred kids, and I was proud of myself.
When my brother comes to watch me, I always want to do my best. He
always tells me to win. I try to keep this mindset because it gives me courage
to win, even when I know I may not. Because my big brother believes in me,
he gives me the courage to believe in myself. He gives me confidence, even
when I am scared.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
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