Melissa Wilken '15 Recruiting Profile

Being so young it is really difficult for me to make permanent decisions about academic goals and dreams. My methodical nature and deep commitment to whatever I am busy with has been my guide in life so far, up until now, my greatest passion has been field hockey.  My greatest aspirations in life is basically to be happy and to live with no regrets, I understand the principle of cause and effect and know that certain goals need sacrifices and to achieve one's goals, it is important to commit whole heartedly - I come from a very well balanced happy childhood environment, my folks raised me believing that anything is possible.  It is difficult for me to choose a specific career, all I know at this time is that I want hockey to be a large part of my life, I have a very enquiring mind and find Sport Science to tweak my interest the most.

My belief is that getting started will expose me to more and this will guide and mold me onto the career path that will be ideal for me, I have always believed in stepping stones and have faith that if I surrender and work hard, the right thing will be, and it inevitably happens like that!  My high school taught us effectively to be involved with as many things as possible to develop us on many levels, from social, cultural, community projects and creative expression. 

With regard to sport, I am a young player with lots to learn. I have been playing field hockey since I was 10 years old, even though I have always played in regional level for national teams, I have always felt that I can go further. With never really having the proper exposure in my country because of where I am situated, in a small region, and our country is young in international field hockey and we don't have many coaches that specialize in hockey, especially not in the small regions.  I hope that going to America will expose me to world class coaching and skills so that I may finally reach the potential I believe I have. My goals in America regarding hockey, include gaining as much experience as possible in order to play and compete at the highest level, so that I can participate in making hockey a world class sport and help share my passion with younger generations in order to improve hockey's international popularity. 

I am willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill my dreams of playing at the highest possible level that I can and I accept all challenges that come my way. I love to work hard and to feel the improvement in my game. 

My commitment to the balance of life with regard to sport, academics and community work, will make me an asset to any institution, I hope that you will consider my application favorably.