Star Student Athlete: Meet Cranston's Ava

CRANSTON, RI — We all know student athletes who also bring their A-game to other parts of their lives.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know the individual stories behind the leaderboard.

This submission comes from Carolyn Giardina, who nominated her grandaughter Ava, of Cranston.

Star student athlete’s name

Ava

Star student athlete’s home state

Rhode Island

Star student athlete’s Patch town

Cranston

How do you know the star student athlete?

Grandaughter

What sport does the star student athlete play?

Softball

Why do you believe the star student athlete should be recognized?

Ava took interest in softball when she was around 8. So she would try out for a team , make the tryout, but would be the one who sat the bench thru the entire season with minimal play time . This happened for several years but yet she still was her team’s player who cheered her teammates on and never complained that she wasn’t playing. We the family would attend every game and would get so irritated because she always was the one who would sit the bench and when she did get a chance to play an inning she gave everything she had to be the team player who didn’t care about sitting the bench, she was grateful to play. She slept, ate, & drank the game and would practice on her free time along with attending every practice, along with practicing with other teams, indoors , outdoors , go to other games to watch and learn how she could better her ability to one day , not be passed by during the lineup and play whatever position they put her in. The frustration of seeing this night after night , as much as she was laser focused, took private lessons, mentors , anything, still patiently waiting for that chance. Our entire family supported every game. My daughter Nia, Avas mom and her dad Chris , my son in law , didn’t miss one moment of practice or game , cheering on the team , along with being those parents who devoted all of their time to the team as a whole cheering them on night after night , day after day, with excitement, dedication and willingness to participate in every possible way to give the team an army of support cheering them on with so much excitement to boost the morale for each and every player including their daughter , who sat the bench . just waiting for her opportunity. She would be invited to try out for many teams and was accepted by every team with the thought that This is the one where she’s going to play. Thousands of dollars to pay the fees to be on that team and participating in every fundraiser, any event that would raise money for that team. Ava fully committed to her love of the game and wanting to be a better player, would accept the “ Constructive “ criticism so they call it , and move forward trying harder to get her chance to play. Hearing about some of this “Constructive “ criticism through having conversations with Ava on how things were going, at times sent me into a tailspin of fury because to me , these were words that would have possibly create a inner insecurity to a child that could possibly be a lifetime of self doubt. She also took extreme criticism from a female coach, a college semi professional player , who was paid to coach this 12-14 U traveling team that at this point we’re the best of the best, of players who’s potential would start to
build a portfolio for scholarships to attend college . Many tried out , many didn’t make it. Ava was scouted out and invited to tryout. So she had what it takes but couldn’t get play time for one reason or another. Mainly “Constructive “ criticism that to me, crossed that line of body shaming. All the while, Ava would confide in a conversation that in fact , it was creating insecurities in herself but that’s because they want her to be a better player, so telling us to NOT say anything to the coach, she can handle this herself. Nia, her mom , built a relationship with the coaches, the entire entity of the association, and she would have conversations about some things but was assured that they would never do anything to harm the girls confidence, they are trying to build more, because this would make a dedicated player work harder at being better..I’m not saying that this happens constantly, I’m saying that in my heart , These comments could leave a scar on one of these girls that could create bigger insecurities throughout their lives growing up. So at times I could see in Avas performance and the way at times she looked to me , inside of her she was feeling insecure about her performance , along with that spark in her eyes was dulling. But she tried harder to prove she could do better for her coach and she fully believed that one day , coach Liz would be proud of her..This went on for the season where now me chatting with the other girls, learning that others were feeling the same way as Ava but never would let that out . This was something that, came with the territory and that’s what was supposed to happen. Mind you , fees were in the thousands of dollars to be on this team.
Through conversations between my daughter and the coach it was simplified and she was told exactly what they wanted her to hear by the coach , so all was good. I Am the anxious, protective nana. So I’m being told to calm down . . This has to be done if Ava wants to be the player she works so hard to be. When the season was wrapping up plans to practice and all the stuff that sports does during off season keeping together as a team, they have a group text to communicate. even though you were in that team, every new season, they still had to do tryouts to stay on the team . During one of the team meetings via text , Ava , because she was handling herself as far as the issues with things and also talking with her coaches about her possibly getting more play time, also challenging some of the “Constructive “ criticisms “ because she was following every single word from her coach and now getting frustrated because nothing was good enough . she wanted to know what more could she do. The conversation apparently was irritating her coach and she kept telling Ava she wasn’t trying hard enough .
Her suggestion to Ava was to QUIT,… while she’s ahead. she’s never going to be a good enough.
This we found out through casual conversation with Ava.
Softball was every conversation amongst all of our family because we all stand together and support each other and involve our family to be a part of the Team family. Nia , Ava’s mom, my daughter, is always the spokesperson if needed and also the voice of reason, with a sharp eye on keeping herself close and learning inside and outside about the whole association. She was a very important part of the
Association and participated in keeping scores, learning everything she could to support Avas vision and she was the Mom who all the girls and their families had close relationships with. Very long story short because there is so much more lol .
Ava didn’t give up, she is a very well sort out player who is wanted by many coaches . She’s has far surpassed her ability and continues to work harder to be the Team player and a player that wants to be the full benefit for her teammates. She has been Captain of her team, and has grown out of her age league and plays with 18 U who play against College players. Ava is 15. She is that team player who helps her teammates if they want xtra practice, she helps the younger players by going to all teams practices and makes herself available to any player along with playing on several different teams. It’s a 7 day a week, continued spark to be all she can be for first her teammates because in her eyes , they are all one. So no one player is better than the other. She’s available at any time and has a well respected reputation and relationship with the coaches, players, & Softball committee. My daughter and her husband are all about supporting the entire team , building an huge community of supporters . We as family are a big presence with the softball family community.
And there isn’t anything I could think of that we wouldn’t do to support our girl and all the girls, coaches, and association.
We scream, yell, dance , high five, cry , lol, We are so extremely proud of Ava . She has fully earned every bit of her accomplishment and every achievement she strives for. She’s a very humble young lady who has taken a lot of criticism but never let any of her struggles take her Passion from her. She’s all In with a smile as bright as the sun. We are so proud of her. We are proud of all the girls. I as her Nana have so much admiration for how she carried herself through all she’s been through. As the Mom of Avas Mom, Nia Wiggin , my heart smiles, the full devotion , support, and how she handles the stress of things you would never imagine in the softball world is what being fully devoted to raising your children to be respectful, kind, loving, secure, empathetic, decent human beings. That’s a breath of pride for me , knowing that I must have done something right.. Whew..lol
No matter what Ava Olivia Wiggin is a Star , not only for her ability to play her sport , for her strength , determination, and devotion as a team player.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star student athlete?

I want everyone to know that no matter how difficult and challenging it is to be the very best you can be for your love of your chosen sport, I witnessed a child , who Loves her sport so much , this young girl who had so much thrown at her because she was never good enough in someone’s eyes , Still never give up her will to fight to play her sport., She faced many challenges . and still She Believed in herself and devoted herself, despite what could have been the end of her love for her sport.. Never let anyone take your spark. Ava Olivia Wiggin. I am So Proud of you.. We are all so proud of you. This is what Ava would let anyone who is struggling, Fight for it, your worth every bit of your talent..Do not give up.

Keep up the great work, Ava!

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