Sports
Rogers going distance for track and field dreams
For Camryn Rogers,
there was never any distance too far, weight too heavy or record that couldn’t
be beaten. The 17 year old has lived a fuller life than most her age, and as
the top-ranked Canadian junior woman in hammer throw, it seems as if there is
nothing she can’t achieve.
As a senior at R.A
McMath Secondary school, Rogers takes great pride in her athleticism. That is
why she was excited to learn this past November that she would be receiving a
full ride scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley near San
Francisco for her specialty sport, the hammer throw.
“I do not have any family in the United States
so I will be starting over new which I personally find is very exciting” said
Rogers.
It is not only the
hammer throw that she is proficient in; she also hopes to go into law school
and advocate for social justice issues. One of the key reasons why Rogers wants
to attend Berkeley is the opportunity to bond with others at human rights rallies.
“What I am most excited for is building
relationships with my teammates, classmates, coaches and other athletes,” she
said.As an only child, Rogers
said making these connections will be very important to her. She can’t wait to
have a roommate with the same athletic mindset and work ethic, and is hoping to
build meaningful relationships and creating a dependable support system like
the one she has at home.
Many high school seniors find it hard to
visualize a life where they don’t see their friends, parents or bedroom
everyday. But moving away for a higher education is a rite of passage that many
young people endure.
Rogers has mixed
feelings about leaving. While she’s happy at the thought of a new adventure,
she stills feels anxious too.
But most of all, she’s
excited with anticipation. She has been counting down the days until she leaves
the country she has called home for her entire life. What eases her worries is
knowing that she’s leaving her old home for a new one in California with
infinite possibilities ahead.
To stay in touch,she has
vowed to make Skype her “new best friend” and ensure that she visits home
often.
She believes that it’s
a good idea for teens to move away for post-secondary school and that
university is a great way to test the skills she has learned so far.
Studies done by the
New York University indicate many students who graduate experience “chronic
stress” that attributes to drops in grades during those first months away from
home.