My name is Manveer Sandhu. I am currently a senior in high school and I’m 18 years old. I have been blessed to receive many academic and athletic awards throughout my high school career. Field hockey and school have both always been a big part of my life. Both my parents are immigrants from Punjab and my dad came from Punjab to the US to play field hockey. I am currently part of the Rye Field Hockey Academy program, which is a field hockey club based in Westchester, NY that my dad also founded.
Field hockey has always been a big part of my life. I’ve only known two things for sure, that I love Baba Ji and that I love field hockey and school. When I was in 11th grade, I was blessed to receive multiple awards at school for field hockey and education. After my field hockey season in 11th grade (in 2016), I received the Most Improved Player award from my coach as well as the All-Tournament Team Class A award (presented by the NEPSAC committee), the National Academic Squad award (presented by the NFHCA committee), and the Southern New England Region Team (NFHCA). The Southern New England Region award is only award to less than 150 student athletes around the country. I am so honored to receive all of these awards, and I know it’s only by God’s grace that I am able to play well. At the end of my junior year, I was award the Yale Book Award, which is given to one person in the grade. The Yale Book award is one of my school’s most prestigious character awards. It is determined by a vote of the entire Upper School faculty. I am so blessed to have teachers that care about me so much and I know this is only possible because of what Baba Ji gives me.
This past season (2017) was my last season in high school. We were blessed to have won the NEPSAC Class A championship! We had an amazing season, with only one loss throughout the season. During the championship game, we were tie 2-2 and into overtime. Everyone was tired, me especially. We were awarded a stroke, which is a penalty shot against the goalie, and I was selected to go shoot. If I scored, the game would be over and we would win the game. I remember walking to the stroke line, chanting Waheguru, Waheguru, the entire way because I wasn’t sure if I could do this by myself. My parents have always told me that God is always on my side and I will never be alone as long as I remember God. That day, I was praying and remembering God as I shot the goal that would give my team the championship! I thank Baba Ji everyday for that moment and for always being with me because I know that I am truly never alone.
At the end of this past season, I was award many awards by my school and different organizations. By my school, I was awarded the Carole Kenyon Award, which is given to the most valuable player on the team. By the NEPSAC association, the All-NEPSAC award and the WNEPSFHA All-Star award and by the FAA association, I was awarded the All-League FAA award. These awards are given to select players throughout the league to recognize the outstanding athletic achievement of the recipient. I was awarded the Southern New England Region Team by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) again this year and also award thed NFHCA Second Team All-American award. The All-American award is only awarded to less than 50 student-athletes around the country! I’m blessed to have received this award and I couldn’t have done so without the support of my family, my dad, and especially not without Baba Ji.
My parents have always told me to not take anything for granted, because good things only happen with hard work and with dedication to God.
