Hi, my name is Alana and I’m a senior at NCSS. According to dictionary.com, the definition of opportunity is a chance for progress or advancement. When it comes to taking opportunities when you have them, I have not always done that.
I absolutely love gymnastics, but for the past four years I have not joined the team. I always put it off telling myself I will do it next year.

Now, it is my last year of high school and I have decided that I am going to join the team this winter. This is my last chance to do something that I am very passionate about but with opportunities comes greater responsibilities and commitments.

I feel that by doing gymnastics it will make me more open to other opportunities. I think it will also allow me to build more confidence and become more willing to try new things. I always think of the negative aspects of trying something new. I have been trying to change that lately. I am allowing myself to step outside of my comfort zone a little because I have not been in gymnastics for a while.

The first day of school we went out to C.A.V.O.C. As a school we did an activity led by our new principal Mr. Losch. We talked about our comfort zone, our stretch zone, and our panic zone.

When you are in your comfort zone, you are doing things that you are comfortable with. When you are in your stretch zone you are doing things that you are not exactly comfortable with but you’re still okay with. In your panic zone you are freaking out and are stressed.

You don’t want to be in your panic zone ever. You should not always stay in your comfort zone because if you are always there you will never learn or try new things. Never stretch yourself so far that you go into your panic zone because you will not accomplish anything there.

Gymnastics is important to me because it helps me relieve stress and makes me happier. I cannot wait for this winter to come so I can join the team and do something that I am very interested in and that will help me step outside of my comfort zone.