When Barrington High School senior Emma Menke committed to play lacrosse at Denison University, it marked more than just a sports milestone, writes Emma Martin in the Illinois school’s student newspaper. Her path was full of tough practices, big decisions, and moments of doubt. Along the way, lessons were learned that can help anyone chasing a goal.
Kinnelon HS vs Pequannock Twp, N.J., May 2025 (Bob Park/Flickr Creative Commons)(1) Passion Can Grow From Resistance
Sometimes the things we dislike at first turn into the things we love the most. It can take time and patience to see an activity in a new way. What feels like a burden in fourth grade can become a favorite part of life by the time you reach high school.
That is exactly what happened to Menke. “I hated [lacrosse]. Like, I literally hated it so much. I would cry every time I went to practice,” she was quoted as saying. But by eighth grade, her feelings had shifted. “I just fell in love with it.”
(2) Parents Can Spark, But You Must Own the Flame
Parents often open doors for their kids. They can be the reason we try something new. But at some point, you have to decide if it is your path. Real passion only comes when you choose it for yourself.
Menke’s dad was a college lacrosse player. He pushed her to give the sport a chance. “With my dad wanting me to play, I hated it,” she said. “But later, I realized I wanted to keep going — not just because of him.”
(3) Perseverance Pays Off
Big goals take hard work. The process can seem lengthy and tedious, long and boring. But showing up and sticking with it is what gets you to the next level.
Menke said the recruiting process was tough. “I didn’t really start any recruiting stuff until my sophomore summer,” she said. “I was gone every single weekend at camps, tournaments, and showcases. I hated doing all that stuff… but I kept going.” That effort helped her earn her spot at Denison.
(4) Choose Environments That Support You
Being good at something is only part of the story. The people around you and the environment you’re in matter just as much. A positive setting can make the difference between quitting and thriving.
Menke faced a choice between soccer and lacrosse. “I was between soccer and lacrosse,” she said. “But the environment for everything that I’ve done for lacrosse has been so good for me that I wanted to continue that in college.”
(5) Trust the Process
When the future is unclear, it’s easy to feel discouraged. That’s exactly when it helps to trust the process. Progress may not be quick, but patience and effort usually bring results.
“It sucks, and nothing’s perfect, but if you keep pushing through it, you’re gonna get to a point where you’re happy with where you are,” Menke said. Her words show that persistence can carry you through tough times.
(6) Believe in Yourself
Believing in yourself doesn’t mean everything will be easy. It means you give your best no matter what. Confidence and effort together create opportunities.
Menke offered this advice: “Put 100 percent of yourself into everything, because you never know where coaches are going to see you.” By trusting her own work, she earned her chance to play at the next level.
For Menke, lacrosse became a journey from tears at practice to joy on the field. For everyone else, her story shows that growth often comes from sticking with it, trusting yourself, and finding the right place to belong.
