I played in the 2003 LLWS. I have continued playing softball and Little League was a big factor in developing my love and passion for softball. I have traveled to many states over the past several years to compete in national tournaments for ASA softball but the LLWS here in Portland was and is still a highlight of my softball career. There is nothing better than playing in your home town and having the "community" come out and support your team.  Playing in the LLWS was a once in a lifetime experience and I will  always cherish that week of meeting and playing with players from all over the world. I went on to play for 4 years at Jesuit High School and was the varsity catcher all four years receiving all league first team honors and all state first team honors for 2008 and 2009. I was honored to be part of Jesuit's softball team as they won their first state championship for softball in 2006.  For summer ball I have played  for the NW Bullets's Gold team the last four years and our team has competed at the Gold National Championships held at the Hall Of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City the past two seasons and will again travel there to compete this August 2009. Upon my return from Gold Nationals I will begin college at Georgetown University in  Washington DC where I will study Health Sciences and l continue to play softball in the Big East conference.I am truly thankful to be able to still be playing a game that I love after all these years and I give LL a lot of credit in helping to establish the "love of the game" in me at an early age. Shikara Lowe