Why did you choose to attend Hamilton?
This is pretty much the standard answer that you will hear every Hamilton student give but honestly the open curriculum: I have a lot of different interests from political science, to environmental studies, to philosophy, to food and food systems, to the Spanish language and culture, and I wanted to go somewhere where I would be able to explore these different interests.
Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
While I have played sports my whole life and have always loved it, I am a student and a person first. I want to walk out of college as a better, more well-rounded person as well as a better athlete and student.
What is the best thing about being part of the NESCAC?
I like the focus of NESCAC schools on liberal arts because I think that it’s important to be well-versed in multiple areas of study. I also like how the focus of the conference is on academics while still offering competitive athletics. It sounds cheesy but I also loved the focus on community that you get from a smaller NESCAC school.
What has been your favorite class outside of your major?
My favorite class outside of my major thus far has been a food and philosophy class I took last year. I have always been passionate about food and love to cook and bake in my free time, so food has always carried extra meaning beyond its nutritional value. I never saw how this could fit into my academic interests until I took this class. I learned how ethics and morality are inextricably intertwined with food, food systems, food issues, and food messaging. I became particularly interested in the connection between gender, food, and domestic labor which I was able to explore in a research project for my public policy class.
Have you studied abroad during your collegiate experience?
I studied abroad in Madrid last spring and it was a life-changing experience for me. I went to Hamilton with an interest in studying abroad. I have always wanted to be fluent in Spanish so my main focus was language. I also studied the politics of the EU, Spanish politics and history, and Spanish social justice issues.
What internships/research projects have you participated in?
I worked at NY State Parks as a community outreach and conservation steward with the American Hart’s Tongue Fern Project this past summer which was a great experience. I helped with a project to protect the threatened American Hart’s Tongue Fern species found in the Central/Upstate New York area through propagation, transplanting, and invasive species removal. I also helped coordinate education and outreach programming at local state parks. I gained so much local ecological knowledge, but I also learned about the importance of environmental education and community engagement with local ecosystems.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
I would say that the greatest lesson I’ve learned is that recognizing when you need help is not a weakness but a strength. I used to be the kind of person who would struggle through things alone because I thought that facing them on my own would make me stronger. But I’ve learned the strength in admitting when you need help and recognizing that you are surrounded by people who also need it and are happy to support you. I think there’s a tendency in cross country and track to sometimes think of a competition in terms of your own race, but it's important to look around and see everyone struggling along with you. That mutual dependence is a strength.
What is your favorite place on your campus?
My favorite place on campus is probably the quad between one of our dining halls and one of our main academic buildings. There is a big tree with a bunch of tables and chairs where I love to sit and do work while enjoying the fresh air and the views.
What is something interesting about you that others might not know?
I have type one diabetes! I was diagnosed in preschool so I’ve had it for a long time. It can be tricky to manage as a student-athlete but I do my best.
What is something you enjoy doing when not in class or competing in your sport?
I love to cook and bake! I try to try a new recipe every week, and I have my own secret chocolate chip cookie recipe that I developed.
