My Brand Identity

Rollins Women's Lacrosse

roster photo

When meeting people for the first time, I always want to give a good impression; I make sure I have a firm handshake, strong eye contact, and a friendly smile. This is important to me because I want to brand myself as someone who is intelligent, independent, and hard working; and lets face it, first impressions can never be replaced.

     I come from a small suburb, Winter Springs, located just northeast of Orlando, FL. It is a pretty well off place, full of A+ public schools, a large country club, and plenty of parks and lakes. Although I was fortunate enough to grow up in this area, I was raised with the knowledge that it could all disappear in a second, and to always remember that nothing comes easy. 

     My mother and father married late in life, she was 39 he was 43, my mom had already had my sister from her first marriage, which only lasted about three years. From this marriage came my mother and sisters insanely strong independence and will to get things done - which was inherently passed down to me when I was growing up. My mother worked three jobs to support my sister on her own, never once receiving help from her former husband, or the government. She refused to have anyone give her pity, she would make it work - and she did. Once my father came into the picture, who was also extremely independent - being his own boss in real estate since he was 23 years old, created an atmosphere at home that took on the attitude "it is up to you to succeed." 

My mom and dad and I

     Since understanding that concept, and realizing that only I am in control of my own future, I strive to be successful in everything I do. One part of my life that I believe encompasses my will, and determination, is my involvement with the women's lacrosse team at Rollins College. Being a member of this highly successful team (two final four appearances in the past two years) requires a sizable amount of self-discipline, motivation, organization, and time management. During the summer and winter breaks, we are expected to keep up with our workouts in order to pass our running and other athletic “tests” when we return back to school, which is demanding when you don’t have your teammates by your side to push you. Then, once we return to school, managing schoolwork with seven a.m. workouts and three-hour practice’s at night becomes an art form that most NARPs (non-athletic-regular-persons) would have a hard time handling.

Having the ability to be athletically successful by pushing myself in the off-season, succeeding in practice, games, and school during the season, encompass the qualities that I wish to brand myself with. Being independent enough to do all of these things successfully on my own terms, makes me who I am. No matter the demographic, whether it be my family, friends, teammates, professors, or bosses, I always want to be recognized as someone intelligent, hard working, and independent.