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"I left Kent a strong rower, having had exceptional coaching, but I also left Kent part of a community with lifelong friends, and with an intellectual curiosity and ambition."

I started rowing my freshman year at Kent. It was my greatest commitment and challenge, but because Kent fostered a holistic approach to learning and to life, I was not all consumed by training and crew year-round. I loved rowing, but I was a tri-sport athlete, joined clubs, always prioritized academics, and fostered relationships with friends and classmates.

When I started rowing Division I at Northeastern University, I quickly found that I didn't have the same experience as my teammates, most of whom had trained year-round for four years. This shift was daunting. What I soon learned, however, was that Kent's holistic approach to life actually saved me. It taught me far more about strength, resilience, and endurance than any full-time training would have.

At Kent, I learned that showing up is half the battle, and when my university peers faced injury or burnout, I kept working methodically towards my goals. The mantra on the boathouse wall was seared in my mind: "If you're going through hell, keep going." It was the philosophy I learned in classes, the reassurance I gained from friends, and the insights I learned from other sports that I brought to rowing and allowed me to not only complete, but excel at this sport. For this, I am eternally grateful.

When I reflect on KSBC, I remember fondly racing on the Housatonic, the rolling hills, the dense humidity. I think of my teammates and our traditions: tapping the crest on the way into practice; blues and whites before Saturday spring races; the distinct smell of the boathouse, which always reminded me to leave behind the rest of the day and focus on the now.