Courtney Hoeland '19 Recruiting Profile

College is an incredible privilege and opportunity that I have dedicated myself to working towards for as long as I can remember. Academically and athletically, I aspire to always be my best self, to maintain a growth mindset, and to ambitiously work towards my goals. I am eager to become a college student to further my education, but also to work towards my overarching career goals and aspirations. In college, I hope to receive my degree in sign language interpretation in order to inspire others and provide people with opportunities to be productive members of society. While I know I will be pushed to the limits academically, my passion for helping others will overtake any academic challenges I am faced with. I believe my career goal of becoming a sign language interpreter is a perfect explanation as to why I would be a vital asset to this team. Being a sign language interpreter requires an overwhelming amount of positivity and enthusiasm, compassion, and support. I believe these are three core values that translate to being a productive team member, especially on a sports team. Regardless of the situation, whether a game the team isn't doing well in or even a rainy day practice when no one's heart is in it, positivity and enthusiasm are contagious and two things I continuously try to spread even in the lowest of situations. I think a positive attitude filled with excitement promotes an overall better environment, which can translate to success. In addition to being a positive influence,  I believe compassion is an important quality to possess in order to be a effective team member.  Caring and concern for fellow teammates ultimately bonds players on a deeper level and encourages a "family" mentality in the group that contributes to a triumphant, encouraging team. Finally, support is another standard that I believe contributes to my ability to be a good candidate for this team. I work each day to be as supportive as possible to my family and friends, and translate that quality into my position as a lacrosse player. I believe it is important to be a support system and to build one another up, in order to have a successful team. Overall, I feel these various qualities that contribute to my collegiate aspirations also make me a productive, positive candidate for the team.

Throughout elementary, middle school, and and high school careers, students are encouraged to be different and to stand up for what they believe in. While I have always believed I have followed my heart and accepted my differences, I feel so many high school students fall into the trend of wanting to be exactly like someone else or to "just fit in." Some of these "fit in" behaviors are not favorable, including putting other people down, talking negatively towards parents, or not sticking up for what you believe in in fear it will draw negative attention to you. However, I imagine that my desire to be different, though not presently commended, will eventually have a positive influence in others' lives. For example, I have never been someone who is obsessed with statistics when it comes to lacrosse. So many people painstakingly search their names on the local or state news following a big game, hoping their stat line is correct or their name was mentioned as a stand-out player. For me, it has never been about being the star. I believe teamwork wins games, and the only way to have a successful team is to have everyone involved, equally, working towards one goal. Being the best can only go so far, and when you go off to college, everyone may have been the "best" from their region. However, in order to grow as a team, I believe it is important to step back, make team decisions, and always have the best for the team in mind, not just for an individual. This was something I always found particularly challenging in high school, when so many teammates had the "I" mentality and made it hard to be a functioning team. Seeing how that outlook puts your team at a great deficit has taught me to not be obsessed with being the best, but rather, at being a well-rounded, successful team player, name in the headlines or not.

I also grew up in an atypical family dynamic that I believe sets me apart from others in terms of my character. I have lived most of my life with just my mother and my handicapped sister, Amanda, the two most important people in my life. However, due to my home situation, I took on a lot of responsibilities at an early age and continued to help my mom as much as possible throughout my high school career. While I still have the opportunity to enjoy the company of my friends and participate in social events, I learned early on that being selfless in my family would be my most favorable option.  That meant not always having a "normal" teenage life, as I chose to often spend time with my sister when my mom had to work or hang out at home when my mom was home to enjoy all that she has done for my family. I believe my situation growing up makes me stand out from other recruits because I have a passion for helping others and seeing what contributions I can make to the success of others. While my academic and athletic success is important, I also care to boost others up and support them in being the best they can be as well, a quality I believe all team players should possess.

Overall, I believe that I would make a good candidate for a position on this team. I feel that I am a well-rounded student-athlete, and put my best foot forward in everything I do. I feel that my determination and positivity radiates in everything I do and will continue to assist me in achieving my academic as well as athletic aspirations at the collegiate level.