Jhanelle Stewart '15 Recruiting Profile

Adversity shapes our character if we allow it to. I have found that out personally by what is happening within my family. While it is painful for me to recount the narrative, I strongly feel that I must share the situation that life has presented to me. When I was 16, my parents decided to separate. For as long as I could remember, my dad has demonstrated negative feelings towards my mom and I. Despite the animosity between them, I have resolved to be strengthened and focused more on the person that I am becoming. While it is a constant source of stress, I realize I am not the reason for their discontent. I have used this as a tool to rise to the occasion, not to be judgmental, but to be accepting. It has taught me a lot about myself. In life I can't control a lot of things such as the weather, my mom's mood, or who wins the Super Bowl. However, I can control how I react to these situations. That is a decision left solely to me. If my plan is to get the rose, I realize I will have to encounter thorns along the way. My nature calls me to reach out into the community, to be sensitive and to respond to the needs of those around me. For example, as a volunteer at my local fire department, I am given the opportunity to get up close and personal with serious medical issues. From the multitude of near death experiences, I have witness, while going on calls with the ambulance and medic unit, I have gained a much deeper appreciation for the fragility of life. In that, nothing is promised to us, we must muster the courage and the conviction to get the most out of each day, from sunrise to sunset and beyond. Based on my character I feel I would make a valuable impact on the academic, social, and cultural life your track team.