Before I head to South Africa– I would like to thank some individuals that have made my experience and time at USC wonderful. It is amazing that it has been two years since I have been at USC. When I first arrived at USC, I just finished my undergraduate degree at Florida and had less than two weeks to move across the country, and start graduate school in California. It was quite the whirlwind adventure! 🙂 But my time at USC has been very special– full of wonderful memories that I will forever keep. USC represents great times for me academically as well as athletically. There are many individuals that I would like to thank:
Athletic Director Mike Garrett: I got a chance to meet Mr. Garrett late last year when I was called into his office by his secretary. I was like—what’s up? Not many people get to meet with Mr. Garrett, or “G”. But, I got an appointment to meet with him, and it was great. It’s not every day that you get to meet a Heisman Trophy winner. Mr. Garrett has been supportive of the athletes and the USC Athletic Department, and he sets the tone for everyone to perform at their best for the university. Thank you Mr. Garrett for all of your support.
Coach Ron Allice: The first time that I met with Coach Allice was in the fall of 2005. He said that the most important thing that I would need to do for the team would come at the USC-UCLA dual meet, then Pac 10s, and so on. Coach Allice is a true asset to USC. He is supportive, but he expects results—and if you deliver, he recognizes you. It was a pleasure to work for the track and field team as a graduate assistant this year and with Coach Allice. I also have to thank Coach Allice for believing in me, and giving me a chance to represent the USC Track and Field team. No matter where I will be, I will always remember that I will be a Trojan forever. 🙂
Coach Lange, Coach T, Coach White, Coach Pullins, Coach Walsh, and Coach Johnson: These past two years, I have gotten to know all of the track and field coaches well. I got to spend time helping each of them out in the track and field office, and get an insight of what it would be like to be a college track coach at USC. I got to spend more time with Coach Lange my first year as a track and field athlete, and this past year as his graduate assistant and retired track athlete. 🙂 Thank you for all of your words of encouragement and support for me these past two years. Fight on!
Track and Field Athletes: All of the track and field athletes at USC have been amazing. They represent USC with integrity, commitment, and dedication with pride. It was a pleasure to participate with these individuals on the field, and get to know them off the field. I have to thank all of the USC throwers (Kate, Allie, Julia, Eva, Andrea, Noah, Adam, Will, Aaron, Jekabs, Corey, Lindsay, Shana, Stenn, Brian, and Mike), and the sprinters (Candice, Jessica, Carol, Roy, Matthew, Kai) for always making my day interesting and fun! 🙂 I wish you all the best of luck for the rest of the season at Regionals, NCAAs, and beyond– Fight on Always!!!
Annenberg Friends: One of the great things that I felt that I got to experience at USC is that I was still connected with the undergraduate class with my friends on the track and field team, but I got to also hang out with my friends from grad school. All of these individuals helped me with words of wisdom and advice through the classes. From orientation where we had to take our grammer /copy editing exam 🙂 to our thesis to graduation—thanks for the wonderful memories of Annenberg! 🙂
Professors: I got to take many classes this semester, and I got a chance to meet and work with some wonderful professors in public relations. These individuals know everything there is about the field of PR, and they spent the time to answer my questions and help me with letters of recommendations for my Ph.D. programs. I would like to thank Dr. Floto and Dr. Carroll for helping me—they were great advisors to me and I will make sure that I keep in touch with them while I am at Tennessee. Thank you for your words of wisdom and continued support! 🙂
SAAS: I also have to thank those that work at SAAS for their time and help these past two years. These individuals have really taken the time to help me out with academics and make sure that all of the athletes have the right tools to excel in the classroom. All of the academic counselors have been great—thank you for all of your help! J I have to thank several people. First, I would like to thank Monica Morita—she always has a smile on and she is great with the athletes. I also would like to thank Michelle Boon for her support as well—she helped me with all of my paperwork to submit for being a grad assistant with the track team. Lastly, I would like to thank my academic advisor John Mosbach—he really helped me out to make sure that I was on track to graduate and was able to give me some helpful advice for my Ph.D. at Tennessee.
My family. Mom, Dad, Kristin, and Karla have been with me through the good times and the not so good times. Mom would help me by cheering and supporting me on while Dad would be “CD” and was always there when I needed help. 🙂 Kristin and Karla have always been there for me– Kristin inspires me to be all that I can be and be strong and Karla with her great animations and artwork– Karla is a very talented artist and I’m lucky to have such great sisters. 🙂 My family’s love, encouragement, and support really helped me so much. You all inspire me to be all that I can be!! 🙂 Thank you guys– I love you all tons! 🙂
I am proud that I can call myself a Trojan Alum.
Fight on Forever! 🙂
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