For as long as I can remember, I was told that I was going to Lafayette.
Running around my grandparents' house growing up, my grandfather, Papa Mike, a proud class of 1956 alum, would always say things like,
"She looks like the next Leopard to me!"
Every report card I brought home received a, "that will get her to Lafayette" stamp of approval.
Laf-Lehigh's were like a holiday and before I even knew what a fraternity was,
I knew that Papa Mike's four years in Zeta Psi at Lafayette were the best four years of his life.
My grandfather has always been one of the most influential people in my life.
Growing up just five minutes down the road, his house was a second home to me.
Sunday dinners, school award ceremonies, every important life event, I knew Papa Mike would be there.
From the time I signed up to play soccer at age five to my final high school track meet, Papa Mike attended every sporting event.
He has been, and always will be, my biggest fan.
| The Finish Line |
The Finish Line is a special series on GoLeopards.com consisting of first-person stories written by graduating student-athletes,
reflecting on their Lafayette experience.
Kylie Young - Women's Lacrosse (5/6) |
When it came time to look at colleges, however, I initially refused to even tour Lafayette.
Every time he would bring up his memories on College Hill to persuade me, I vehemently protested.
I wanted my own story and the choice to forge my own path.
However, as you can see, I gave in to his pleas and signed up for a tour.
As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I absolutely fell in love.
After meeting with the track coach, I left my visit knowing that I had just found my home.
Four years later, I feel so incredibly grateful for my academic and athletic experiences at Lafayette.
Lafayette Track and Field has become the family that Papa Mike always told me I would find at Lafayette.
While my love for the sport itself is still unparalleled, the friendships I have formed will last long beyond any recollections of PRs, wins, or workouts.
My team has been the first one there to celebrate with me during the highs and pick me up during the lows.
From our car rides out to Metzgar before Tuesday workouts to playing cards during team dinners over interim,
it is difficult to put into words how special little moments like these have been to me.
Running track at Lafayette has honestly been the best time of my life.
I am so grateful for the entire athletic department at Lafayette and all of the opportunities they provided,
specifically the Oaks Leadership Academy and in Peer Mentoring.
As the Oaks Fellow this past year, it has been such a privilege to meet such driven, passionate, and dedicated athletes from all sports.
I have loved being in an environment that has challenged and inspired me for the past three years.
Becoming a Peer Mentor for the past three years has been one of the most special experiences for me at Lafayette.
There is something so rewarding about being invested in the well-being of others.
When a mentee aces a test or becomes the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, like my mentee Natalie Kucowski,
I can't help but feel immense pride and happiness for their success.
The mentoring program has provided me with almost thirty friendships that I never would have made otherwise.
Even though I am supposed to be doing the mentoring, I think I have learned more from my mentees about life than I could ever teach them.
After four years, I am so grateful for the vision that Papa Mike had for me.
Every happy memory that I have at Lafayette is accompanied by his love for the school.
As I made memories, he was always just a text away, reliving them with me.
He took to calling me Pard my freshman year and it is now a term of endearment that will be our thing for life.
At this time in my life, I feel closer to my grandfather than I ever have before.
I now know first-hand what he means when he says Lafayette sets you up for life.
I understand the fondness he has for his favorite places on campus and have become attached to my own.
Because of my team, I feel the same sense of home that he has always described.
I am proud to be a Leopard.
I am proud to be his legacy.
And I am endlessly grateful to Lafayette for the life it's given us.
