Sekai Beard '21 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Sekai and I'd like to briefly introduce myself to you. First,  let me start by telling you that my name means "laughter" in Zimbabwean (Shona tribe). I try to keep a sense of laughter and joy on the court and in life. This comes through on the court by staying upbeat (yet serious and competitive) and by trying to help keep my teammates motivated. Sometimes we get in our own heads and I try my best to help pull out of that. Second, I'm naturally athletic and I really enjoy playing volleyball (love the competition). I have played virtually every position at some point due to be willing to play anywhere my team/coach needed me.  And let me tell you, sometimes during practices when I played setter, that has generated quite a bit of "laughter"! Outside of volleyball, I'm interested in becoming an orthopedic surgeon so I volunteer at a local hospital and enjoy it very much.  Last summer, I attended an 8-day NSLC pre-med camp at Northwestern University and that experience confirmed within me that I want to become a surgeon.  I also participate with a professional Urban Latin dance company, Contra Tiempo, each summer. I love to dance and with this company I get to participate in my favorite genres of dance such as Salsa, Samba, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, etc. Both the experiences with NSLC and Contra Tiempo work to enhance my leadership skills. Last, I am a good student ( grade reports are uploaded). But I feel that the good grades are only one piece of the picture that makes me who I am as a person.  I'm both academic, athletic, and creative (left-brain and right-brain). So, I'm looking for a college experience that will nurture all aspects of who I am as a whole person and I would like to contribute all of those aspects to the university/college that I attend.