Ninth-grader Darien Hull knows that “School sports build a unique community outside of the academic environment.”

Hull believes everyone should try a school sport at least once. He said school sports have helped him connect with his peers both in and out of school. Having bonded with classmates on an academic and athletic level is crucial for him.

Hull has invested himself in the athletic world of school. He plays a sport every season of the year. In the fall he plays soccer. In the winter he is a fierce Nordic skier. And last spring he tried out lacrosse.

He believes the memories you make when playing sports don’t compare to the rest.

“I remember back in seventh-grade year our soccer team won the city championship…it was a community-building experience to win it with some of my peers and classmates. During the season I got to [meet new people] by more than a name and a grade,” he said.

For Hull, knowing someone’s name isn’t actually knowing them. He wants to understand and get to know people deeply. Connection is everything to Hull and he knows school sports are ways to build and strengthen bonds.