Visitors Share Stories, Stimulate Students

During her three-day visit last week, Cassandra Cardinell Metzler shared wonderful insights into the role of sports in her life, how to prepare mentally and physically for challenges -- whether athletic or not -- in life, and just how scary diving off a 10-meter-high platform can be. Cassie, who worked with Foxcroft Athletic Trainer Ruth Ann Allen while a student at Indiana University, holds NCAA and Big 10 titles for 10m platform diving and competed in the 2004 Olympics, placing seventh in the synchronized platform diving event.

Her visit was highlighted by a presentation to the entire community last Thursday morning, during which she showed some amazing video of her performances, offered great tips for dealing with stress and talked about the many aspects of her athletic journey that have helped make her the person she is today. Cassie also conducted several targeted sessions with the Varsity Volleyball Team, PE Fitness students, and Health classes, among others, and made herself available for conversations and questions virtually her entire stay. The girls definitely took advantage! Many thanks to Ruth Ann for arranging this wonderful visit.

The Invisible Children visitors made two presentations Friday, speaking about “The Power of Voice” at 11:15am and screening their documentary “Move” in the evening. After the screening, a young man from Uganda named Roy, who is traveling with the group, shared his personal story. Both sessions were well attended by an interested group of students and faculty. Thanks to Alex Northrup and Izzi Nettere ’14 for hosting the visit.

During Monday’s presentation, Melissa Leppert Niehoff described her experience as a woman engineer (yes, she is often the only woman in the room!) and shared her enthusiasm for the field. She educated us about what engineers really are and what they do, the many different specialties that they work in, and the almost limitless career options for those who earn engineering degrees. Her visit is part of an ongoing lecture series that is part of Foxcroft’s STEM Initiative. Thanks to Dr. Maria Eagen for arranging the presentation.