Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?
I chose Middlebury because from the first time I stepped foot on campus my junior year of high school, I could see myself here. Not only is the campus itself absolutely gorgeous, but the people that I met and spoke to during my visit were all happy and friendly. Once I met the softball team, I knew it was a perfect fit because they immediately treated me like family even though I was just visiting for the first time.
What is the best thing about being part of the NESCAC?
The best thing about being part of the NESCAC is that this league is always so competitive in every sport. At the end of every season, there always seems to be a NESCAC school competing for a national championship. It’s super cool to always have someone to root for in those tournaments.
What is one positive takeaway you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I learned that I love to bake! When we went home last spring, I was pretty devastated about the loss of my season and I missed my friends. My mom recommended I try to find something to help keep busy and take my mind off of everything, so I got into baking. I had the perfect group of taste-testers at home with my parents and siblings, and started to really enjoy making things for them.
Looking back on your four years, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of the way that I have been able to contribute to the culture of my team. When I came in as a first year, I was so appreciative of the way that the upperclassmen just immediately took me in and helped support me. I have been doing my best to continue that trend. I love hanging out with everyone on the team and we have such a supportive group that it truly does feel like a family.
What is something you enjoy doing that you never get tired of?
I love doing pretty much any type of puzzles. It can be crosswords, sudoku, logic puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Legos, really anything. It’s my favorite thing to do when I need to clear my head, because a lot of times puzzles require me to tune everything else out and just focus on putting the pieces together.
What has been your favorite class outside of your major?
My favorite class outside of my major was a January term class I took sophomore year called American Comedy. In that class we got to learn all about stand-up comedy, which I love, and our final assignment was to actually perform stand-up in front of a crowd. As someone who is not great at public speaking, I was super nervous about the performance, but it ended up being one of the coolest things that I have been a part of here and was a good reminder to step out of my comfort zone from time to time.
What has been the most interesting part of your major?
I think that what’s really cool about economics is that it can really be applied to anything. Most people hear economics and immediately jump to finance, but it has applications in so many other fields as well. Currently, I am taking a class called Economics of Sports, which has combined two of my passions.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
The greatest lesson that I have learned is that you can learn as much on the field as you can in the classroom. My time on the softball team has taught me about the importance of building relationships, teamwork and leadership, skills that I might not have developed if I were not a student-athlete.
What advice would your 2021 self give your 2017 self?
Make the most of your time with your team. If this past year has taught me anything it’s that you never know when something that you love might be taken away from you. My favorite part of being here is spending time with my team because they’re my family. Having that taken away from us right as our season was about to start last year was devastating, so this year I’m determined to make the most of my time with them.
What is your favorite place on your campus?
My favorite place on campus is definitely the athletic center; I think I’ve spent more time in that building than anywhere else on campus combined. I have been able to cultivate relationships with a lot of people in that building. Any time I come to practice or work in the building, I get to see people I know and enjoy talking to. I worked in the Sports Information Department for two years and loved being able to contribute directly to the Athletic Department because of how much it means to me and every athlete here.
