Why did you choose to attend Bates?
When I was looking at schools in high school, I knew that I wanted to be at an academically challenging, smaller school. When I stepped on campus at Bates, I knew this was the school for me. Being so warmly welcomed by the team and seeing the communal nature of the campus, I was immediately drawn here. I was excited by the fact that so many people here appeared to be driven by their studies and athletics and I wanted to put myself in this type of environment.
Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
I decided to be a Division III student-athlete because I wanted to challenge myself. Being in athletics at Bates has given me the opportunity to not only push myself and my teammates to better ourselves collectively, but it has also introduced me to so many wonderful people within athletics at Bates and the NESCAC.
What is the best thing about being part of the NESCAC?
I think the best part about the NESCAC is the academic excellence paired with the athletic excellence. You are constantly surrounded by like-mind people who emphasize the importance of academics but also have drive and skill in your sport. Because of this, everyone really lifts each other up, because it isn’t easy, but we always look to support each other.
What extracurricular activities or service activities do you participate in?
I make it a priority to engage myself in ways outside of the classroom and the pool. I am in an all-gender acapella group called the Crosstones [follow us on IG @crosstones :)]. I am also a first-year writing class peer-attached tutor and a Spanish tutor. I am involved with DEI efforts on campus and teach swim lessons in the community.
What is something you enjoy doing that you never get tired of?
One of my favorite things to do when I’m not on campus is to walk my dog on the beach. Seeing him run in the sand and swim in the water reminds me of the importance of slowing down, playing, and enjoying the little things in life.
What has been your favorite class outside of your major?
One of the rhetoric seminars that I’m in right now is called Presidential Campaign Rhetoric. This class is offered every two years at Bates and puts on a mock presidential campaign on campus. My role in this class is as a speech writer for the democratic party, and I’ve also been running our campaign's social media accounts. This class has been such a unique opportunity to exercise political rhetoric in a real-life capacity, like a presidential campaign, but doing it in the safety of the Bates academic bubble. I have learned so much in this class and it has really challenged me academically.
Who is your favorite professor?
My favorite professor on campus is Professor Stephanie Kelley-Romano. She taught the first rhetoric class that I had ever taken, freshman year, and she continues to inspire me so much. Seeing such a strong woman with a high position in academia is inspiring, but what inspires me more is her willingness to unapologetically be herself.
Have you studied abroad during your collegiate experience?
During the first semester of my junior, year I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. I absolutely loved studying abroad and taking classes in Spanish really helped my fluency level. I was lucky enough to be able to travel around Europe and meet so many people from different parts of the country and the world; it is an experience that I will never forget. I hope to go back to Spain someday.
What is your favorite place on your campus?
My favorite place on campus is Commons. We have one dining hall at Bates and it’s always full of people chatting, relaxing, eating, and just enjoying each other’s company!
What is something you enjoy doing when not in class or competing in your sport?
Something that I really love to do outside of swimming and school is music. I love going to play piano or guitar on my own to ground myself, but also love having wholesome jam sessions with my friends. Music is something that I believe grounds us in a very unique way, and I’m so lucky to have been able to surround myself with it at Bates.
