Kennedy Miedema '18 Recruiting Profile

I started playing hockey when I was nine years old. I grew up in Minnesota, so I had been skating practically since I could walk, but it wasn't until I started following my dad to his games that I took an interest in the sport. Despite my late start compared to my fellow teammates I was welcomed immediately. The program was great and fairly large for a girls' program, which made it hard when our family decided to move to California, which only had two or three girls' programs across the state. Nevertheless, we settled in with the San Jose Junior Sharks and, since then, have traveled with teams from Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, and California. I've loved meeting so many people and experiencing so many different coaching styles and team dynamics. I love my current team and can honestly say they're the best so far. I wish I'd met them sooner, but I also know that I would not be the same person without the experiences I've gained from every team I've played with and the skills I've learned from every coach I've had.  I also know that as I continue to play hockey I will only meet more great teammates and coaches.

I just finished my junior year of high school with straight A's, and have every intention of doing the same during my senior year -- something more easily attainable now that I have an idea of my academic interests (I plan to pursue a four year degree in nursing). I have always been interested in literature, writing, art, Spanish, and medicine. I think that medicine goes well with sports given that they both involve awareness of the body and certain social interaction skills that benefit our lives in general. I'm going to minor in Spanish because I truly enjoy it, but also because, in a multicultural area like San Jose, being bilingual is often necessary for engaging with patients. Nurses and doctors need to be able to provide as much help as possible to their patients, and being able to talk to them is vital. Communication is also necessary for hockey: with coaches, with teammates, whether in game or not. I work well with others, I am very coachable, and I will always do my best to serve those around me.  My character is reflected in how I play; for example, a couple years ago when my team went to districts, I was tied for the most stats in the entire tournament, all of them assists. I know I will be able to support a college team in the same way.