PROFILES 
Q. What were you looking for in a college?
A. Although I absolutely wanted to play basketball in college, I knew that as I looked for a school that academics came first. I wanted somewhere that I could have the opportunity to play as well as somewhere I could learn and be academically challenged.
Q. What made you choose St. Mary's over other schools you were accepted at?
A. In the end, there were a few things that made me choose SMCM. Obviously, the academic reputation is strong here. The campus itself is beautiful and I love being right on the water. The people I met when I was visiting campus made me feel welcome. Since I was interested in playing basketball, the team made me feel like family instantly. I felt a sense of community and that made it somewhere I wanted to be.
Q. What have you learned about yourself since being at SMCM?
A. Once you get to college, you become an adult. Everyone here is going through the same struggles trying to make it on their own. We have the freedom to make our own choices without parents being around. Of course the ability to do what you want when you want is nice, but you have to be able to balance it all on your own.
Q. Any advice?
A. Find a place where you feel like "this place is for me." Wherever you choose to go to college will be your home for four years, and you want to be comfortable in that home and happy to be there. You also want to make sure that you'll be at a place where you can challenge yourself academically and know that you'll be prepared for life after college, whatever you choose to do after you graduate.
Q. Who impacted your selection?
A. My parents and Chris Harney, the men's head basketball coach. I met Chris at a basketball camp and liked him immediately. As far as my parents, they were supportive of me going out of state to college. They gave their input on what I should do but in the end the choice was up to me. They were more nervous about me leaving home than going to school a few hours away.
Q. What is one thing you have learned about SMCM since you've been here?
A. Everyone is connected. Whether you are an athlete or not, everyone here is a student first. We are all in the same boat; we're all having a similar experience.
Q. How was the transition from High School to College for you?
A. I used to be homesick, but I do not feel that way anymore. Now the biggest challenge is trying to balance everything: between classes and schoolwork, basketball and my friends- I'm booked! It is worth it though. My high school was bigger than St. Mary's, and I did not know everyone I graduated with. I hope that at SMCM I can meet as many people as I can. I feel like less of a number and more of a person here then I did before.
Q. What is your classroom experience like?
A. I think the experience is positive. We're not a cut-throat school where everyone is trying to one-up each other or competing for the best grades. It's a supportive classroom environment. We're all getting through it together. I have enjoyed getting to know my professors. I know in my experience they have taken the time to get to know me and support me inside and outside of the classroom.
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