Athletics

Transcript

Let’s take a running start with Kyra. She’s studying early childhood education from Plainfield, New Jersey. Life took her on a different journey before she found her final destination at Union. She’ll be sharing how the athletics department kept her on track, no pun intended. Let’s head to the starting line with Kyra.

– Thanks, Alex. Hey, guys. When I first enrolled in college back in 2016 I had no clue in what I wanted to pursue as a career. I didn’t have a plan, but I was determined to make the most out of my college experience. This realization led me to taking a break from classes after not finding my niche. Through self-discovery, I decided to return to school in January of 2023 with a new mindset while finishing what I started. One of my goals was to be more engaged with the student body. This goal was accomplished when I was hired to work in the Office of College Life. I had the opportunity to engage with students by going to games, traveling to DC, singing in shows, or just saying hello. My engagement didn’t just stop with students, but different clubs, faculty, and specifically the staff of EOF and the athletic department. In high school, I remember being close to beginning my athletic journey when I had to have a surgery. Despite the opposition, I learned that for every setback, there’s always a comeback when I accomplished breaking personal records and placing second in a women’s 100 meter dash heat. Becoming a student athlete gave me more appreciation for my school. I’ve grown to appreciate the dedication they have towards bettering and developing student athletes, not just as students that aren’t only talented, but intelligent. Throughout my time at Union, I’ve been able to see the importance of taking responsibility for your life and making choices that you can be proud of. I’ll be graduating from Union with a degree in education. My plan is to continue my studies in the metropolitan area while I’m pursuing my passions for the arts. Back to you, Alex.

– Kyra, your story represents that even through unexpected circumstances you can overcome and conquer, whether it’s on the track or in the classroom. It’s so great to see the support from the Union community and how they provide student athletes with a nurturing environment they need to succeed. Take care.