Name: Caroline Alexis
Sport: Women's Lacrosse
Hometown: Basking Ridge, N.J.
High School: Ridge
Why did you choose Haverford?
Living close by in New Jersey and interested in Haverford lacrosse, I was fortunate enough to make many visits to campus for tours, information sessions, prospect camps, and meetings with coaches. Through these trips, the College became very familiar to me and as I grew comfortable with the surroundings, the idea of calling Haverford home became an easy thing to do. I knew that the school offered great academics and was giving me the opportunity to continue to play a sport I love, but I didn't fully realize the true number of opportunities that this decision granted me until after spending some time here. My education has not just taken place from instruction by professors, but from my peers and the community as a whole. The opportunity for growth at Haverford extends beyond the classroom, and students are able to fully immerse themselves in a culture of learning.
What is your favorite team experience?
My favorite team experience was when we beat Swarthmore in the final regular season game of the 2019 season, clinching a spot in the Centennial Conference playoffs and beginning our run to the semifinals!! The game went back and forth throughout the second half, and we had gotten a free-position within the last moments of what seemed like the possible end of our season. We scored off our specialty "pie" play that has since been banned by the NCAA—probably because we were so good at it. With only seconds left on the clock, we won the draw and sprinted to our defensive end to celebrate. It was a really beautiful Saturday on Swan Field and the victory made it all the more sweet!
Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
I picked up a lacrosse stick in sixth grade and knew that I wasn't the best athlete on the team. If I wanted to continue to play throughout high school, and onto college, I would have to rise to the occasion. This chip on my shoulder forced me to work harder and learn to appreciate the challenges, knowing I would face many more as a collegiate student-athlete. My dad played football in college, and after hearing countless stories and seeing first-hand the friendships that have lasted beyond the field and his four years in college, I knew this was something I wanted to pursue. Though my dad had been my inspiration from the start, continuing with this experience has been motivated by my love for the sport and my fabulous teammates who make any day in the classroom, in the weight room, or out on Swan so enjoyable.
What does being a student-athlete mean to you?
The opportunity to be a student-athlete is something that I will always be so grateful for. The prospect of juggling coursework, practices, lifts, and games can be daunting, but the support from my professors, coaches, and teammates has made the experience an enriching one. I am proud to be a student-athlete and thankful for the many lessons the experience has taught me. Throughout my time, I have learned the importance of creating a supportive and unified culture on a team and how building that environment is critical for future success. It's an honor to be able to contribute to a team that is just scratching the surface!
What advice would you give a high school student considering Haverford?
The most important piece of advice I can give is to have an open mind. In 2015, I visited Haverford for the first time and thought it wasn't for me. Three years later, my car was packed, and I was driving to Pennsylvania for my first day at the Ford. I am so grateful for the set of circumstances that led me to the Haverford community, and that I was able to come to my senses throughout the college recruiting process.
What are your thoughts on the Honor Code?
My favorite thing about the Honor Code is that it is a living document built for change. As our community at Haverford strives to do better, students are empowered to create change and record it within the Honor Code, building standards for members of the community to uphold. It is unique to have a network of administrators, professors, and staff that have confidence in students to abide by the Honor Code, challenge us to improve it, and trust that we will have the courage to confront missteps by our peers.