Maryam Hassan '16 Recruiting Profile

A member of the class of 2016 at Cresskill High School, I am very interested in attending college in the fall of 2016 as a student-athlete in track & field. I have been running since 2009, and started running seriously in 2012 as a freshman. I often tutor, helping students enrich their approach to academics and organization. I also volunteer at a nearby physical therapy center and sometimes work as a babysitter when called upon. I have three younger siblings ages 15,13, and 8.

On the track, I try to lead by example. Many people view track and field as a group of individuals that happen to perform for the same group. I also view it as a team sport. With so many strong juniors and seniors on the team, it would have been easy for me to go unnoticed. Through the example of my strong work ethic, warming up properly, lifting properly, following our coach's directions, and expecting more out of myself, I have achieved results that have allowed me to compete at high levels. I have gained the respect of coaches, and fellow teammates who now look to me for leadership and motivation. During track meets when things become stressful, they look to me to instill confidence and change insecurities with the motivation of a "we will win" attitude. I look to make the team a unifying force, a wall that cannot be knocked down.

In addition to my commitment to the track team, I have taken on other roles as well. I am the yearbook sports editor, an officer for our school club Leadership Education and Development (L.E.A.D.), and four-time class president. My position as an editor requires a high level of ongoing responsibility and attention to detail. It also requires me to oversee a staff and ensure we meet the yearbook's deadlines. As a L.E.A.D. officer, I work with other L.E.A.D. officers to create programs that teach and model leadership skills for other interested students in our high school. Lastly, as class president, I serve as an advocate for student concerns to the school administration and work towards putting student body ideas for activities into action, including major events, fundraisers, and other school functions.