Staying Grounded While Reaching Higher: A Spotlight on Aven Osborne of Lee’s Summit

Aven Osborne is a 10th-grade student from Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She attends Summit Christian Academy and balances a full schedule of school, basketball, and community service. Her days are packed, but she doesn’t complain. Instead, she focuses on growth, organization, and effort. “I don’t always have extra time,” Aven says, “but I’ve learned how to use the time I do have wisely.”

Finding Confidence Through Basketball

Basketball plays a central role in Aven’s life. She’s on the junior varsity basketball team, where she pushes herself physically and mentally. “Basketball taught me how to lead by example,” she says. “Even if I’m not scoring the most points, I try to support my teammates and show up with a good attitude.”

Confidence, she says, doesn’t come overnight. It’s built through practice, showing up consistently, and learning to trust yourself in high-pressure moments. “In basketball, if you don’t believe in yourself, it shows,” Aven explains. “You have to earn your confidence by putting in the work.”

Learning from Setbacks

Aven didn’t make the varsity basketball team this year. It stung, but she didn’t let it break her. Instead, she’s using her time on JV to train, gain experience, and prepare for what’s next.
“It was disappointing,” she admits. “But I realized JV is a chance to get better. It’s where I need to be right now, and I’m okay with that.”

Her approach to setbacks is practical. She doesn’t avoid hard truths. She sees every challenge as a step in the process. “I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding failure,” Aven says. “It’s about what you do after it.”

Balance Through Structure

Aven stays organized to keep up with her demanding schedule. She uses a planner to track practices, assignments, and volunteer work. “I write everything down,” she explains. “That way, I know what’s coming and I don’t get overwhelmed.”

Time management is a skill she values. She understands the importance of rest and knows when to say no. “You can’t do everything all at once,” she says. “Sometimes you have to choose what matters most.”

Volunteering as a Core Value

Outside of school and sports, Aven gives back. She volunteers at her church, Abundant Life, and supports local animal shelters like Furry Kids Refuge and Wayside Waifs.
“I’ve always loved animals,” she says. “Helping them feels like something I’m meant to do.”

She doesn’t see community service as extra work. She sees it as part of a balanced life. “Even small things can make a big difference,” she adds. “Just showing up can matter.”

Building Mental Toughness

For Aven, mental strength is just as important as physical skill. Basketball has helped her develop the mindset she needs to keep going. “There are times when you miss a shot or lose a game,” she says. “But those moments don’t define you.”

She focuses on staying present and learning from every mistake. “I’ve trained myself to replace negative thoughts with helpful ones,” Aven says. “Instead of saying ‘I can’t,’ I say, ‘I’m working on it.’”

Looking to the Future

Aven isn’t sure exactly what she wants to do yet, but she’s interested in something that combines her love of sports and helping others—maybe sports medicine or physical therapy.

“I want to be part of something that helps people stay healthy and strong,” she says. “Athletics is a big part of who I am, so it makes sense.” For now, she’s focusing on building her skills, staying consistent, and being a positive presence for others.

Final Thoughts

Aven Osborne is someone who leads with effort. She values time, teamwork, and growth. She’s not chasing perfection—she’s pursuing progress.
Her advice to others is simple and real:

“Don’t quit because something is hard,” she says. “Keep going. You’re learning, even when it doesn’t feel like it.” In a world that often moves too fast, Aven is learning how to move with purpose. And that’s something worth paying attention to.

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