Meet Israel – a rising 6th grader at Nativity Preparatory School in Wilmington and one of the most enthusiastic participants we’ve ever had at Strive, whether it’s during a Strive Clinic or at Nativity’s House Days! Whether he’s slipping on the soccer field or falling mid-jump rope, Israel brushes it off and grows with a huge smile and even louder cheer for his teammates.
From the moment he joined our programming, Israel brought contagious energy, a love for learning, and nonstop encouragement for those around him. He says his favorite part of Strive is “meeting new people and coaches – shoutout to Coach Ryan!” and he’s learned a lot about keeping his fuel tank full so he can keep lifting others up.
One of the biggest takeaways for Israel from the Strive sessions? Learning about leadership and being character-driven. He’s passionate about chess (he wants to be a grandmaster!) and we think he’s already a champion in so many ways.
Coach Nav says it best: “He puts his best effort into everything and is a ray of energy that others feed off.”
Way to stick with it, Israel – keep choosing laughter, leading with heart, and chasing those chess dreams!
