Sports team made a difference

I would like to thank my amazing cross country team at Thomas Downey High School! At first I was worried when I joined the team of what people will think. Everybody looked so strong and muscular and I looked so big. The first day was hard. I wanted to quit afterward. I couldn't even run a mile. Everyone was so nice to me.

They gave me a lot of support and encouragement, and so I stayed. I've had by far the best coaches ever. Thank you for all your love, help, support and encouragement for the team.

Cross country made me lose a lot of weight. By the end of the season I was able to run up to 6 miles and I made a lot of new awesome friends. Thanks to everybody for sticking with me; now I feel a part of the family.

Things are hard to work for sometimes, but you can't quit and give up right away!

JIM SOK, age 14

Modesto