Dear Maryland,

I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I first stepped foot on your campus. Red brick buildings, tall white entrance columns, never ending green land, a farm on campus?! A complete change of scenery from the west coast campus I had just come from. But your campus reminded me of home, the people reminded me of my loved ones, there was something special about this place, but I couldn't put my finger on it just yet.

I already knew this was going to be a life-changing journey. I was coming back from an ankle injury, I was away from home, and now I had to build a whole new life in a whole new place. It ​really was like being a freshman all over again.

Although I knew this was going to be somewhat of a challenging transition, I also knew that I had found an incredible coaching staff that would help me achieve personal and athletic success.

I had actually set a goal for myself when I got to Maryland: to compete at the 2019 NCAA Track and Field Championships. And although I didn't have the best outdoor season, my coaches, family, and friends didn't allow me to give up on the possibility that I could make it to nationals. Well, within a year, there I was in scorching hot ​Texas.

Over the course of my time in College Park, I also learned a lot about myself. I learned to value and develop skills and interests beyond athletics. I learned how to be resilient through academic and athletic hardships. And most importantly, I learned to turn to others for help (​still working on this one​).

I also learned how to pull all-nighters, finesse the art of procrastination, anticipate those double-hill XFinity workouts, not die during those dreadful 6:00 AM golf course hills, and how to complain every step of the way (​sorry coach!)​ .

Nonetheless, being a Maryland Terrapin has allowed me to have a family away from home, teammates, coaches, and friends that have contributed to my self-discovery and personal achievements. Being able to call myself a ​Terp​ is an incredible privilege, as I know it represents so much more than athletic success.

So, to you Maryland, the institution, Maryland Athletics, and my dearest professors, thank you for your investment in me and my future.

To Coach Andrew Valmon and Coach Danielle Siebert, thank you for the incredible support and confidence you have always had and continue to have in me, as an athlete and as a person. You have truly impacted my life and have shown me what it is to have a dedicated support system.

To my teammates, thank you for welcoming me to the team, for the support on and off the track, for the never-ending jokes, and for allowing me to forge lifetime friendships with incredible people.

Maryland, you've taught me so many things in so little time. You've allowed me to grow into the person that I am today and I will be eternally grateful for your influence in my life.

I knew this was a special place after all.

Sincerely,
Mikella