EASTON, Mass. (Sept. 9, 2025) - 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.
"I Can See Myself There" – Emily Young
Why Stonehill?
When I first visited Stonehill as a senior in high school in 2021 on a recruiting trip, I felt a strong feeling of belonging. I recall returning home and telling my friends, "Stonehill is my home. I can see myself there."
The close-knit group and inviting environment immediately jumped out to me. Meeting Coach
Karen Boen and Coach
Carl Boen was a game changer - they were so helpful, encouraging, and genuine throughout the process. Their leadership and caring made Stonehill feel like the ideal location to develop both athletically and personally. Since that exact moment, even after all this time, my feelings have not changed one bit because I have truly come a long way both developmentally and academically, and this school has helped me define myself not only as a student-athlete but also as a person ready to take on the world beyond Stonehill.
How has Stonehill has shaped you as a person?
I never would have guessed how much Stonehill has influenced me. I learned the worth of connection, teamwork, and accountability through being in a community that is so accepting. I've gained a voice for myself and become more confident in when and how to use it, more disciplined in my routines, and more intentional in how I show up for both myself and others. Balancing academics and athletics taught me resilience and time management, but also reminded me of the importance of rest, perspective, and joy. The people I've met, the challenges I've faced, and the lessons I've learned have all shaped me into someone more grounded, mature, and self-aware.
What type of person were you when you first stepped foot onto the Stonehill campus and the type of person you are today as a senior?
When I was a first-year student I was more concerned with what other people thought of me than I was with finding out who
Emily Young really was. I wanted to "fit in," and I even decided to study in business since my uncle had told me he liked it. I was unaware at the time that by going down that route, I was stifling a strong need I had always had for artistic expression and creativity. I eventually decided to follow my own heart and let go of the impulse to compare myself to others at the end of my sophomore year. I formally declared Art & Visual Culture with a Studio Arts Concentration as my major because of that choice. As a senior now, I am much more assured of who I am, happy of the chances I've made to pursue my passions, and appreciative that Stonehill provided me with the room and encouragement I needed to develop into the best version of myself.
What has been your best moment at Stonehill – athletically and academically?
One of my fondest sports-related memories is winning the NEC Championship for women's cross country in 2023. My sophomore year was the most rewarding moment because our team was the first Stonehill program to take home gold in the NEC Championship since transitioning over from the NE10. It felt like all our hard work and intent my teammates, coaches, and I put in every day, was not going to be wasted. My best friends surrounded me that day and I was reminded by that experience of why I like competing and being a member of this squad. My greatest academic achievement was making Dean's List after declaring a new major. My expected workload was a lot different after switching over and I was unsure on how I was going to manage it all with practice and meets, but I did it. Both instances are memorable because they demonstrated to me the benefits of perseverance and the importance of hard work paying off.
Lessons Learned
The most significant thing I've learned is that the people you spend the most time with have an impact on you. I've learned over the last four years how important it is to surround myself with people that push me, encourage me, and bring out the best in me. Honestly being on such an empowering women's college team has taught me not only how to show up for myself but for others too. I call these girls my sisters because we love like sisters and fight for each other like sisters. Every year, when the new class of ladies arrives, we make sure to emphasize that while we may not all be great friends, we will support one another. Being an identical twin sister myself, I've become accustomed to hearing that comment. Despite our many arguments, my sister and I express gratitude for one another. Having sisters both at home and at school is something I adore. Being a part of such a close-knit community has taught me that growth happens when you have people who hold you accountable, support you in your endeavors, and acknowledge your successes. Because of these collaborations, I've become more resilient, confident, and aware of the significance of having a positive impact on others.
Transferable Skills?
I know that the talents I've acquired from academics and athletics will help me in the next phase of my life. To balance practices, races, and academics, time management, discipline, and tenacity have been crucial. My academic and sports experiences have been centered around teamwork and communication, which have taught me how to effectively collaborate and help others. Additionally, are resilience and adaptability, as I have learned how to maintain composure under stress and adjust when things don't go as planned. These abilities will help me in every area of my life outside of Stonehill, not just in my future career.
To view the past Senior Reflections visit this site: 2025-2026 Senior Reflections.
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