Senior Charlize Wang stands at the baseline of the tennis court, her grip tightening around the racket as the world narrows to a single match. The rally begins, each shot crisp and precise, the ball darting back and forth like a heartbeat.

Then, the opportunity comes. With a surge of instinct, she steps into a backhand, slicing the ball low over the net. After a breathless pause, silence gives way to a roar as her teammates rush the court.

Since Charlize first picked up a tennis racket at five years old, the sport became a defining part of her life. She learned to compensate for her physical disadvantages, like being shorter and less powerful than some competitors, with smarter play and strategic ball placement. By the time Charlize entered high school, she had developed the skills necessary to earn a spot on the varsity tennis team.

“When I first joined the team, I was really scared,” Charlize said. “It was my first time actually on any tennis team because I didn’t do it in middle school, so I was also entirely unfamiliar with what a team dynamic would look like.”

However, her fears quickly dissolved as she found herself embraced by a team culture built on support rather than hierarchy. While differences in skill levels were evident, there was never a sense of exclusion, which made a lasting impression on Charlize. 

“I found a very supportive community within the tennis team,” Charlize said ”The kind of community you get on a sports team is very different from just having friends at school because you are playing as a collective whole and everyone’s success is also your success. It was very refreshing to be on a team where we’re genuinely always rooting for each other.”

In junior year, Charlize stepped into the role of team captain and reshaped her understanding of leadership. She welcomed new players and recreated the inclusive environment that had once eased her own nerves.

“I took extra measures to make sure that everyone felt welcomed and that there wasn’t a noticeable divide between different grade levels,” Charlize said. “Fostering that kind of environment really boiled down to the little actions. At school, I would make an extra effort to always say hi to my teammates in the hallways and make conversation with them. Those small moments really helped us get closer as a team.”

Fellow teammate sophomore Claire Xu comments on Charlize’s efforts as captain to build a strong bond within the tennis team. 

“Charlize always makes sure to cheer for everyone and keeps the positivity going regardless of the score,” Claire said. “Her attitude in tennis really encourages me to keep playing, and it’s really nice having someone who’s constantly uplifting and never lets the overall energy drop.”

Charlize’s leadership extended beyond simple gestures. As the captain, she also worked to instill a culture of encouragement during matches. Playing doubles frequently, she noticed that younger teammates would often grow discouraged after making mistakes. Rather than allowing negative emotions to take over, Charlize made it her priority to lift them up, reminding them that every point presents a new opportunity. 

“Tennis is such a mental game, where if you start to get down on yourself, then you end up playing worse,” Charlize said. “I feel a responsibility to always keep a positive attitude because I know that energy transfers to your partner as well. Whenever a younger teammate makes a mistake, I always reassure them by telling them that it’s okay and reminding them that they’re a very capable tennis player.”

Beyond the tennis court, Charlize impacts Harker’s literary and artistic community through her work with “HELM,” the school’s eclectic literary and media magazine. Recognizing that creative pursuits often take a backseat in an academically rigorous environment like Harker, Charlize has worked with her fellow HELM editors to ensure that the contributions of artists and writers are recognized and celebrated.

“That aspect of uplifting others is again something that I’m able to do with HELM,” Charlize said. “I feel very proud whenever we hand out our magazines and people are like, ‘wow, I didn’t know this person could write so well’ or ‘wow this artwork is incredible.’ It helps a lot of people really gain recognition for all the hard work that they put into their art.”

Close friend senior Khanhlinh Tran applauds Charlize’s ability to display unwavering empathy for others, no matter what she herself is going through.

“Charlize has been a very consistent friend in the sense that she’s always there for you, no matter what she’s also going through,” Khanhlinh said. “She just always finds the right words, especially when you’re down. She knows how to comfort people and bring out the best in people, even when they’re down.

Wherever she goes, Charlize leaves a legacy full of sympathy and consideration.

“Within the friend group, I always try to be there whenever they need to talk,” Charlize said. “Even when they don’t necessarily voice anything out loud, I always try to take notice of the little gestures they do. Just as I learned in tennis, it really comes down to the little actions to foster a sense of community and camaraderie within my friend group. I like to carry that lesson forward.”