Mariana Competition VBC

I am Mariana Rodas and I am currently creating this GoFundMe page to raise funds to compete on Atlantic Valley VC, a national volleyball club team. My mother and I need to raise $4.600 to pay for the club fees. My mother has always financially helped me continue my goals for volleyball, even if meant for her make sacrifices to make that possible. We are asking for your help in raising these funds. My volleyball journey began when I was just a 5 year old girl in Colombia. I grew up watching the older kids compete as a team and knew that I so badly wanted to join this sport. My mother, who has been my biggest supporter, signed me up and helped me pursuit this passion. From late practices and traveling competitions, my mother was right by my side, helping me chase my dream. She never missed a single practice or tournament, and no matter how early or late the volleyball schedule became, she was always there. There became a time where financially it was difficult to afford my dream, however my mother always found a way to make it happen for me.  I continued playing from the age of five, until present day where I arrived at Highland Park. My mother and I came to the United States in pursuit of more academic opportunities for my education. First coming to the United States and joining as a Highland Park student, I knew I wanted to continue the sport I loved. When I discovered Highland Park had a volleyball team, I tried out and became their new outside hitter. I currently have been accepted to Atlantic Valley VBC 17’s National team and am looking for supporters and sponsors to help me fund this opportunity. This opportunity is important to me for so many reasons. Being able to play for Atlantic Valley, especially in my Junior year, will get me the exposure I need for college coaches to recognize me in order to get offers for college and increase my chance of an athletic  scholarship. This will help provide a more stable future for me as a college student, if I can be exposed to college recruiters and attain a college scholarship. I hope to continue to push myself in volleyball, as well as give back to my mother who has always sacrificed so much for me.