Meet the First-Years: Alex Hamill '13

It's finally here - the last week of practice before a game! We are so excited and definitely ready for some outside competition. We leave on Sunday to head up to McDaniel College in Westminster, MD where we will scrimmage Bates College and McDaniel. From there we start our Feb Break trip throughout Maryland, DC and Virginia. Go Generals!

This week we're introducing you to First-Year Goalkeeper Alex Hamill (Darien, CT / Darien HS). Here's a little bit about Alex and how excited she is for our season to get underway:

1. What made you choose W&L?
Alex:I grew up hearing about W&L because my dad went here and I have met many of his college friends and heard all about the school. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to the same school as him, but the second that I went on my tour I knew that it was the place for me. Walking around campus I felt that everyone wanted me to be there and I felt so comfortable. On top of that I realized how much this small school had to offer along with all of the tradition that it brings. I personally like smaller classes where I can get more one-on-one attention and help with teachers and that is one of the best things about W&L. The speaking tradition is amazing; walking through the beautiful campus being greeted by everyone you walk by. Also, I really liked the idea that I could focus on my academics and still be able to play lacrosse at a competitive level.

2.How is your second semester going so far?
Alex: Second semester has been good so far. It is great to be back in Lex with all of my friends; as much as I loved being home with my family and friends I did miss seeing everyone on a daily basis. My classes this semester are a little more challenging than fall term with a lot more reading, but I've learned how best to manage it. These past couple of weeks have been very busy with classes really picking up and lacrosse pre-season starting. Pre-season has been challenging, but every day I am seeing all of the hard work that we have put in with lifting and running pay off and I am so excited to finally put it all together in a week!

3.What is the hardest thing you’ve had to adjust to as a college freshman?
Alex: The hardest thing for me to adjust to has been time management. I've had to learn how to best handle all of my homework and studying with lacrosse practices and meetings. It has been hard because there are some days when I am so tired and all I want to do is take a nap in between my classes, but I've realized that it is more helpful for me to get work done then and be able to go to sleep earlier that night. Also, I have Diabetes and I've had a hard time adjusting to taking care of myself. I'm used to having my parents checking up on me and kind of regulating my diet, and now I'm on my own and having to do all of that on my own.

4.Whats been the easiest?
Alex:The easiest thing for me to adjust to has been meeting people. I've always been a very outgoing person and I love to meet new people. During O-week it was hard because I would meet so many people, but forget their faces, but after a week or two I figured it out. Even though the school is small I continue to meet new people everyday.

5.What are your hobbies outside of lacrosse?
Alex: My hobbies outside of lacrosse at school are somewhat limited as I am still adjusting to the busy schedule I don't have a lot of time to do a lot of other things. With that said I would say homework and napping, and napping doesn't happen much. However, I really enjoy photography. Also, my biggest passion is community service. I did a lot of work with the JDRF back at home for Diabetes and would love to continue with that. I did the Lexington pre-orientation trip which was great because it showed me all of the opportunities that there are for me to help out in the Rockbridge community.

6.Where do you live on campus?
Alex:I live in the Graham-Lees dorm on the 3rd floor! I have a huge single that looks onto the mountains. I love having a single because I have my own privacy and work space for when I don't want to have to go to the library, but at the same time I can leave my door open and am bound to have people walk in and say hey. There is always someone to talk to if you wander around the GL halls.

7.Where is your favorite place to eat in Lexington?
Alex: My favorite place to eat in Lexington is probably The Bistro, which has amazing cheeseburgers and really good salads. I also like Blue Sky for a good sandwich and AMAZING chocolate chip cookies. Also, I have to say that the D-hall brunch on Sunday mornings are my favorite thing to look forward to before a Sunday filled with work.

8.Is Lexington a lot different than where you’re from?
Alex: Lexington is somewhat similar to Darien. It is similar to Lex in the size and the small shops that are in the downtown area. Both are small towns where everyone knows everyone. Lex is different because it has W&L right in the middle of it and then VMI and is filled with tradition and history.

9.What are you most excited for this season?

Alex:I am so excited to play in our first game. Our team has worked and trained so hard for the past five to six months and I can't wait to see it all fall into place. Seeing how hard everyone has worked in the off season, I know that we will go far this season because we will continue with the intensity.

Meet the First-Years: Elizabeth Bucklee '13

Lexington is quite the winter-wonderland these days! Despite many conflicts that the weather has presented us, our team is getting things done to the best of our abilities. Between wall-ball, pool workouts and 6AM practice, we have pushed through and gotten a lot accomplished to be ODAC Champs!

This week we're continuing to introduce the First-Years. Here's a little bit about Elizabeth Bucklee (Princeton, NJ / Stuart Country Day School) and how she's enjoying her first year at W&L:

1. What made you choose W&L?
Elizabeth: I chose W&L because of the strong academics, the lacrosse team, and the feeling around campus. It is such a great atmosphere because everyone is happy to be here and truly loves this school. The academics at W&L are challenging but professors want to help you succeed and will do what they can to make sure you are doing your best.

2. How is your second semester going so far?
Elizabeth: I love being back on campus - I missed it while I was back home over Winter Break! I'm really enjoying my second semester classes and my History 108: America from 1877 to present is my favorite one so far.

3. What is the hardest thing you’ve had to adjust to as a college freshman?
Elizabeth: The hardest thing about being a college freshman is realizing that you are responsible now for everything you need to get done. From laundry to deciding what classes to take and what to do when you run out of shampoo, you have to take the initiative to stay on top of everything. You have to become very independent very fast!

4.Whats been the easiest?
Elizabeth:The easiest adjustment for me at college was with my roommate. We clicked from the very beginning in September and are still best friends! She has never seen a lacrosse game before so I can't wait to introduce her to the sport at our first home game!

5.What are your hobbies outside of lacrosse/field hockey?
Elizabeth: I really enjoying doing community service work. I was very involved in community service during high school and my past summers and so I am excited that I am going to lead the W&L D.C. Pre-Orientation trip this August!

6.Where do you live in campus?
Elizabeth:I live on the 3rd floor of Graham-Lees which is a First Year dorm right on campus. It is close to D-Hall, the library, and classes so it is really the perfect location!

7.Where is your favorite place to eat in Lexington?
Elizabeth: My favorite place to eat in town is at Blue Sky. It's a fun place to have lunch with friends and they have amazing sandwiches and salads!

8.Is Lexington a lot different than where you’re from?
Elizabeth:Lexington is not very different from Princeton because both are university towns with little boutique shops and cute places to eat. Both towns have a lot of character but Lex is much smaller!

9.What are you most excited for this season?
Elizabeth: I'm really looking forward to our games, of course, but also to all of our scrimmages during February Break. It will be a good chance to really put into practice everything we've been working on in pre-season and to play against other teams before our first official game. I'm the most excited to hold the ODAC trophy in May!!!

Meet the First-Years: Ashley Barnes '13

This season we have some awesome new members of our team. We'll start by introducing First-Year Defender Ashley Barnes (Annapolis, MD/St. Mary's HS):

1. What made you choose W&L?
Ashley: I get asked this question all the time and I never know what to say. I don't know what particularly drew me to W&L but I'm really glad to be here. I pretty much love everything about this school! I love that I can see the mountains from my window, all of my professors know my name, that I can leave my stuff anywhere and no one will take it and I love all of our quirky traditions. Over break I forgot that the speaking tradition isnt exactly normal behavior, so when I visited my grandma she kept telling me to stop talking to strangers and told me I should carry pepper spray in case people tried to talk to me.

2. How is your second semester going so far?
Ashley: Second semester has been great so far. I'm really enjoying all my classes.

3. What is the hardest thing you’ve had to adjust to as a college freshman? Ashley: Waking myself up. I am not a morning person. I usually have to set 5 alarms and sometimes still sleep through them all. During field hockey season I missed the bus once. I felt awful, but luckily the trip was cancelled because of the weather. That was a relief.

4. Whats been the easiest? Ashley: Ten O'Clock classes. I had three last semester and it was amazing.

5. What are your hobbies outside of lacrosse/field hockey? Ashley: I love reading and running. I also really like working with kids. For the past two summers I've had the oportunity to work with intellectually disabled kids and had a great time. They're starting a special olympics program in Lexington so I'm hoping to get involved in that.

6. Where do you live on campus? Ashley: I live on the 4th floor of Gilliam. It's a blast

7. Where is your favorite place to eat in Lexington? Ashley: The healthy foods co-op. They have the best rice cakes and vegan cookies. Their french onion soup is pretty delicious too.

8. Is Lexington a lot different than where you’re from? Ashley: The downtown of Annapolis is quaint and historic kind of like Lex. And its home to the Naval Academy so I always see mids running around in uniforms like the vmies do. But, the greater Annapolis area is a bit more urban.

9. What are you most excited for this season? Ashley: I'm so excited to be a part of the team. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. It's hard to believe that less than a year ago I was watching the team play and thinking wow these girls are awesome and now I get to play with them. I am just thrilled to be on the team.