EASTON, Mass. – The 2025-2026 Senior Reflections is a series of annual collections. Senior representatives of teams at Stonehill have been invited to contribute and reflect on their personal experiences over their four-year careers at Stonehill - both on and off the playing surface. 

Madison Darmstadt, Field Hockey
 
Why Stonehill?
I am beyond grateful that Stonehill is where I ended up. Being from New Jersey I had never even heard of Stonehill until the College's name popped up in my email. Stonehill presented me with the opportunity to continue playing field hockey at a competitive level. Once I stepped foot campus, I realized that while being able to play field hockey was a huge factor in my decisions making process, Stonehill has so much more to offer. The strong sense of community and network of support that is cultivated on campus was palpable from the first time I stepped foot on campus and played the largest role in my decision to become a Stonehill Skyhawk.

How has Stonehill Shaped You?
I like to think the person I was when I got to campus as a freshman would be proud of the person I have grown to be. This place – and the people that make the place – constantly challenge me to grow in every aspect of my life. My time as a Skyhawk has helped me understand the importance of ambition, drive, and discipline. These values were instilled in me through tough practices, intimidating individual meetings, wins, loses and everything in between. My time as a Stonehill athlete has been the single most invaluable experience of my life shaping me as an athlete as well as a person.

Best Moments
One of the most rewarding moment for me as a Stonehill athlete was playing in my first game back post ACL reconstruction. I missed my junior year season due to an ACL injury and committed to a year of rehab in order to play in my senior year season. There were countless ups and downs through the process and many days I felt like quitting would be the easiest thing to do. I didn't choose the easy. I was able to work my way back to the pitch alongside my teammates.

The most meaningful academic moment I have experienced at Stonehill is being admitted to Pi Sigma Alpha, The National Political Science Honor Society. Excelling in the classroom has been a goal of mine since becoming a college student so to be able to see my hard work be recognized at a national level was super gratifying.

Lessons Learned
On a personal level I have become a more confident and authentic person during my time at Stonehill College. I've come to understand that another person's success does not diminish my own and that it's possible to stand up for what I believe in without standing over others. I am so appreciative for every success, every failure, and every lesson learned during my time on this campus and I look forward to carrying these experiences with me as I enter the next chapter of my life.
 
To view the past Senior Reflections visit this site: 2025-2026 Senior Reflections. 

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