Khaedin Taito of Hastings, New Zealand was willing to risk losing a five-year scholarship to the University of Southern California in order to honour her faith and keep the Sabbath Day holy.
A highly recruited basketball athlete, Khaedin, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was faced with a difficult decision.
She says, "When we met with the coaching staff of University of Southern California, we knew that this was the one. But in my first Skype session with the USC staff, I told them that I choose not to play on Sundays because of my religious beliefs.
“They explained that pre-season games are held most Sundays and asked if playing Sundays was a deal-breaker. I told them yes.” USC staff deliberated and finally said, “We want you, so you don't have to play or train on Sundays.”
Khaedin is an accelerated mathematics student and has worked hard to balance her education, family commitments and her favourite game, basketball.
The young basketballer didn't always want to play the sport. She recalls, “I cried in horror when my mum took me to my first training.”
But Khaedin is now grateful that her mother, Tinaka, encouraged her to keep going. “If it wasn’t for my mum making sure I practiced regularly, I wouldn’t be here, about to fulfil a dream of getting an education and playing college basketball in USA.”
Khaedin was raised in Australia, one of five children of Iatapa and Tinaka Taito. Her family moved home to Bridge Pa, Hastings this year.
After graduating from high school, Khaedin remembers crying in her room. “I was confused. I wondered what I should do with my life.”
She says her mother reminded her to pray about her decisions.
“I received an impression that I needed to serve others, and that through service I would get my answer,” she says.
So Khaedin started looking for opportunities to help people, both at home and in the community.
She says, “I found that I loved it and my feelings of desperation and worry were replaced with peace.” Not long after, Khaedin received 24 full college basketball scholarship offers in a few days, which had doubled by the weeks’ end.
“In total, I received over 100 offers, which was very overwhelming.”
Khaedin has since learned that USC has a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on campus, which will be within walking distance from her apartment. There are also many Mormon athletes at USC, she says.
“I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in life there.”
She says, “My dad would tell you that basketball has kept me out of mischief. He’s right! Instead of doing what other teens were doing, I was always at a game, training or scrimmaging at the chapel. The gospel has impacted my life greatly and influenced my decisions.”
While in Hastings, Khaedin has been training with Olympian Paora Winitana, former Tall Black, who is also Mormon.
“He not only coaches me to be my best physically, but also spiritually. He's given me advice on how to deal with uncomfortable situations should they arise. I'm so grateful that a busy man like him has time for me.”
Khaedin has received fitness and ball skills coaching from her Aunty Rhandell Tuala-Fata. “She motivates me and reminds me constantly of my potential. We always pray before and after we train together.”
Khaedin begins life at USC in August 2015.
Read a Hawke's Bay Today article by Anendra Singh about Khaedin Taito.