Division III Week Student Spotlight – Vanessa Maldonado
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the ninth-year event.
Division III Week is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, student-athletes will be featured this week. DeAnte' Griffith and Vanessa Maldonado are today's featured student-athletes.
By Brittany Greene
Sports Information Assistant
Name: Vanessa Maldonado
Year: Senior
Hometown: Plantation, Fla.
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Women's Lacrosse
Athletic Accomplishments: Maldonado is a three-year player for the women's lacrosse team and has appeared in 36 games during her career. She has been one of the Hawks' top goal scorers each of the past two seasons and was second on the team with 14 goals when this season was halted. Her 14 goals tied for 10th in the USA South this season and her five assists tied for 11th. For her career, she totaled 38 goals, 13 assists, 36 ground balls and 31 draw controls.
What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "When visiting Huntingdon for the first time, I honestly did not know what to expect. But upon meeting the staff, coaches and students I knew that Huntingdon was a place where everyone cared about each person that walked on campus. I wanted a higher education where I could get a more one-on-one connection with professors that I wouldn't have gotten at a big university and I knew I would get that at Huntingdon. Ultimately, I knew that Huntingdon College would give me the opportunity to grow as a person and to explore my craft/skills for what my future vocation would be."
As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "My Impression of Division III now is completely different from my first season. When I was a freshman playing in Division III, I didn't know much about it. All I knew was that compared to other divisions, they didn't give athletic scholarships. But now, actually being a member of Division III, I know based on my own experiences that Division III really cares about the student athlete's growth on the field and in the classroom."
With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the world we live in, what have you learned about the compassion and resiliency of your friends, family and classmates? "It was very shocking when COVID-19 came upon us. I've learned that you really cannot take life for granted. I realized that at any moment, your time with friends, family and coaches can be taken away in an instant."
If you could offer one piece of encouragement at this time to your friends, family and classmates, what would it be? "I would tell them that everything happens for a reason. Even though we are at a set back with COVID -19, we will come back stronger than ever!"
What advice would you give our current underclassmen and incoming recruits to better prepare them for the next few years? "Never take any moment for granted. Four years will go by fast, so make sure to use your time for personal growth. Live every moment to the fullest!"
How has your experience at Huntingdon prepared you for life after Huntingdon? "At Huntingdon, I was able to grow as a leader. Huntingdon College has challenged me to do things out of my comfort zone. For instance, public speaking has been a challenge for me but now with the experiences I was put into for class assignments, I feel more comfortable speaking in front of people."