This past weekend, I enjoyed my very last games as a Phillies Ballgirl. Man, what a wild ride! While we’re limited to a two-year tenure, these past two years have been chock full of life-changing experiences. I’ve met folks from all walks of life – cancer survivors, firefighters, tourists from around the world – all eager to share their stories, snap a photo, and if they’re lucky, snag a foul ball.
I’ll share a quick story. While on the field in September, I met a young girl – about eight years old or so – with a pink mohawk of thin hair and a big, bright smile. Every inning change, she came over to visit me on the first base line and asked if I had any foul balls. Unfortunately, I hadn’t gotten any, yet. By her third or fourth visit, she blurted out that she had cancer and my heart sunk. I asked, “But, you’re beating it, right?” to which she replied “Yes! The doctors just told me there’s no more cancer!” Now, I HAD to get this girl a ball. Innings went by, and not a single ball came my way. Yet, she stuck around, anxiously waiting. At some point in the eighth inning, it happened. A hard line drive was hit down the first base side, ricocheted off the wall in front of the seats and bounced into right field. As I picked it up, there seemed to be 50 kids or so, all jumping up and down with their arms out, hoping to take home the souvenir. But I spotted my new friend instantly and ran right to her. I’ve never seen a child smile so big. It absolutely made MY night. After that inning, she brought the ball to me, hugged me and asked me to sign it. I signed, “You are my hero! <3 Meg”
That’s just one of many stories about how this experience has changed me. Combine this with the fact that I’ve grown from Intern to Senior Account Executive here at Buchanan PR in those same two years, and it’s safe to say that I’ve become a whole new, improved person.
I can pinpoint all of this growth to a single trait – being a sponge.
With the Phillies, I made sure to meet as many people as possible, ask questions and be open for any challenge. And with that position, I had MANY opportunities where I did things outside of my usual comfort zone. One game, they were short on Phanstormers, the super outgoing folks that sing “Happy Birthday” and throw confetti on fans celebrating their special day. So, another Ballgirl and I were asked to help. Well, I didn’t realize we’d all have to split up and do it alone. I have a really irrational fear of singing in front of anyone, let alone in front of a whole crowd. But, I made it out alive and feel 110 percent more confident in my ability to overcome fear (only after learning that if I admitted up front that I can’t sing, that the rest of the crowd would sing with me and drown me out).
At Buchanan, I’m surrounded by some amazing professionals, who are each a wealth of knowledge. I’ve learned a lot simply by watching and trying to mimic certain things they do, all while being in tune with myself and figuring out my unique strengths to add to the team.
The two roles fed off each other, too. I’d work to media train clients at Buchanan PR, then on the flip side, I’d follow my own advice stepping in to be the one interviewed for the Phillies. I’ve done TV broadcast interviews several times now and can share tips from personal experience.
Long story short, staying hungry to learn has been my biggest key to the successes I’ve seen in life so far, although I look forward to continuing to grow. I dare everyone, regardless of age or level of experience, to stay hungry, too.