Mia Hamm

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Mia Hamm is a hero. She is a hero because she has gotten on many U.S National Soccer Teams and she has tried her hardest to win every one of those games. Mia Hamm plans to continue soccer in the future. Mia looks forward to winning future championships and Olympic gold medals. Mia remains one of the best players on the U.S National Team. I believe she will succeed in many things.

Mia Hamm had an easy and tough childhood. Mia Hamm was born March 17, 1972, in Selma, Alabama. Her parents are Bill and Stephanie Hamm. Mia's birth name is Mariel but Mia's mom called her Mia after Stephanie's ballet teacher. Mia Hamm is one of six children; she was the fourth born. Mia's hero was her older brother, Garret. Sadly, Garret died from a rare blood disease called aplastic anemia. The family moved to many different Air Force bases in Mia's childhood, since Mia's dad was an Air Force pilot. Mia has lived in such places as California, Texas, Virginia, and even Italy. Mia learned to play soccer from her dad who was a Soccer Coach in Italy. Mia really got interested in soccer when she saw some kids playing it in the street but her mother said it was too dangerous for her. As you can see, Mia Hamm has liked soccer since she was very young.

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Mia Hamm had many accomplishments. In 1987, Coach Anson Dorrance helped Mia gain a spot on the U.S National Team. Mia was only fifteen when she got on the team. She was the youngest woman to ever play on the team. Mia Hamm played in three Olympic festivals. These events helped U.S Olympic officials decide who would play in the Olympics. Mia's soccer team won gold medals in two of these Olympic Games. Mia's team won a silver medal in the other Olympic game. Also, Mia has many awards and records set. Mia was the youngest member of the U.S National Women's World Cup in 1991; she was 19 years old. Mia was the starter in five of the six games in the championship competition. She played fullback because another player was injured. She was not used to the position but she still scored two goals during the tournament. Mia Hamm will help her team to more wins and trophies in the future.

Besides soccer Mia is involved in other things. Mia is involved in a charity called "The Mia Hamm Foundation." She helps the organization teach others about bone marrow transplants. These operations help people who have blood diseases such as the one Mia's brother Garret died from, Aplastic Anemia. Mia Hamm is very helpful to those who need help.

It was hard to play soccer for Mia sometimes. When Mia's brother Garret died, it was hard to play with all the sadness. She has a model for shoes made by the Nike Company and Garret's initials are on the bottom of every pair. Also, it was hard in college for Mia. She majored in Government and History. But, finding time for studying, practicing, and games was not so easy. Although it was difficult to find time to study, Mia studied before and after games.  She even studied on flights to games. Even though it was hard Mia stayed through it.

Mia Hamm has many admirable traits. Mia is dedicated. As you can see, Mia is dedicated to her job as a soccer player. She does her best to win as many games as she can. Also, Mia is charitable. Mia started The Mia Hamm Foundation to help others with aplastic anemia. Lastly, Mia has persevered. Mia has persevered because her goal was to be a famous soccer player and she did. She worked hard and reached her goal.

There is an important lesson I or any other young person can learn from the way Mia Hamm has lived. The lesson is not to give up on things you can succeed at. Mia Hamm worked hard at soccer and she never gave up, and with that she became a famous soccer player. Even though Mia's brother died, and she lost a few games, she kept her hard work up. That is the lesson I learned from Mia Hamm.

As you can see Mia Hamm took her time with soccer, college and family and she made it far in her life. She has succeeded in many things. Mia Hamm is one of the best soccer players on earth!