Becoming a leader doesn’t always come naturally, but this doesn’t make the leadership any less impactful. Jiselle Chabes is pushed by her family and past experiences to continue becoming the person she needs to be for herself and her teammates.
As a senior on Marquette Catholic High School’s Girls Basketball team, Chabes embodies a supportive, encouraging nature on and off the court. She has taken on the role of being a good leader all four years she’s been on the varsity team. Even so, Chabes knows there’s always room for improvement, and she works to make herself the person her teammates can look up to when they’re struggling.
“Something I do that brings leadership to the girls is that I'm always encouraging, no matter how bad the mistake is or how simple it is,” Chabes said. “I'm always like, ‘You're okay’ in the next possession. I always try to make people laugh and smile or to explain different things or different areas where we can become better.”
Chabes began developing as a leader from childhood, both to spark resilience in herself and be a strong light for her teammates to look for. Playing basketball has been a part of her life since she was 2 years old. Usually being the only girl on her Portage Youth Basketball (PYB) team, Chabes had to find ways to deal with angry parents when she had a good play against a boy. She formed a knack for leadership from having to constantly hold her head high, something her dad instilled in her.
“My dad has always pushed me to be a better leader and a better person, no matter what the situation is,” Chabes said. “He was my coach when I was at PYB, so he was always telling me to keep my head high and be the leader out there. He really pushed me and he still does to this day, which I'm very grateful and thankful for because I don't think I'd be where I'm at without him.”
Along with Chabes’ dad, her mom and Aunt Cele have also influenced her leadership and personal growth. In Chabes’ eyes, her mom is a strong, resilient woman who keeps her head held high despite everything life has thrown her way. The sister duo holds accountability at the forefront and always reminds the other to be the bigger person no matter the situation. These two strong female representations have helped shape Chabes into the woman she is today.
Leadership doesn’t stop on the court. When a friend had the idea to start a yearbook club this year, Chabes took on the role of being the vice president with a focus on editing and design. Chabes also finds joy in helping those outside of Marquette, such as through food pantries. This specific act of community service was introduced to Chabes in a church basement on Sundays, before other commitments monopolized her time. She was greeted by a love for service and a different side of Portage in the church.
“I think my favorite part of Portage would have to 100% be when I was a part of the food pantry,” Chabes said. “I never saw that much good in Portage when I was younger; I always thought Portage never did good stuff like that. Then, I found out we did and I became a part of it, and it is a great memory I have of Portage.”
Chabes wouldn’t be the supportive leader she is without her teammates. She loves the game of basketball and even more so her team who pushes her to become a better person. Whether it’s in her final year of high school basketball or when she becomes a marine biologist or physical therapist after college, Chabes wants to continue being the helpful person who gives to others.
“I hold leadership to a high value because I've always had a role in leadership ever since I was little,” Chabes said. “It doesn't always come naturally, but I hold it to a high standard for myself. I push myself to be a better leader for myself and the girls.”