Pictured above: Mike, Kaitlin, Meghan and Karen King, Diane Hall
FSU softball also adopted a young girl from the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. Hayden Stone is an 11 year-old battling rhabdomyosarcoma. Hayden loves elephants and her favorite food is doughnuts. Her brother Harrison is eight-years-old and loves slime. Hayden’s dad is the pastor and her mom is the worship leader at a local church in Tallahassee. Her and her family instantly clicked with the entire team and we are beyond lucky to call them part of our family. Hayden got the chance to throw the first pitch of Fan Day and she slung in it there for a strike! She also was able to kick her weekly treatment’s butt and watch FOUR games with us during opening weekend! She even joined the bullpen for their dance parties when the Seminoles put a run on the scoreboard.
As for my personal life, it has been a crazy two/three weeks. I turned 23. Wow. I know that is not very old in the normal lifespan of things, but still being in college playing softball I definitely feel like a grandma around my younger Seminole sisters. I can now relate to Maddie O’Brien, Jessica Burroughs, and the rest of the redshirt seniors that have made their marks on the program. I also completed my CNA (certified nursing assistant) program and took my state exam. I passed woohoo!!! Therefore, I am going to try and pick up a shift or two in the Children’s Center at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and continue to grow my knowledge in pediatrics.
I also had the chance to go surprise my best friend, Gwen Svekis, in Indiana! She was previously Oregon’s starting catcher but graduated last year. She is now the graduate assistant for University of Indiana. Although it was VERY cold, I had the best time exploring Indiana and watching her be able to share her passion for the game in a different outlet. Finally, after an amazing offseason I said goodbye to my boyfriend as he left for Spring Training with the Pirates! I am beyond excited to say that this will be our LAST few months of long-distance after the past three years! Whoop Whoop!
I know I mentioned in my last blog post that if you had any questions about me or my post to comment below! Last week, someone asked me what does the term “redshirt senior” mean. A redshirt senior is an athlete in their fifth year of academics, but their fourth and final year of eligibility of competition. When I was a freshman, my coaches decided that it was in my best interest, as well as the program’s, for me to redshirt my freshman year. Therefore, I would not dress out or play any game during my first year of college. Although it took a while for me to accept the fact that I wasn’t going to be able to suit up and play with the rest of my teammates, I definitely needed a year of maturity. Along with maturity, I also needed the year to grow my knowledge of the game and build strength in the weight room. I am unbelievably lucky that my coaches believed in me enough to give me the opportunity to redshirt my freshman year.
Coming soon…. St.Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational; John Hopkins All Children’s Visit; First midweek game of the season; Unconquered Invitational
