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| Chelsea with fiance Andrew |
After graduating
in May 2012 I can honestly say I still miss Fredonia every single day. I miss
being around my volleyball family that I grew up with, laughed with, cried with
and most importantly, had the best time of my life with. Looking back on
college I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much if I didn't play
volleyball. Going back to our very first meeting my freshman year in Dods
Hall, I would have never imagined meeting and becoming so close to such
amazing, wonderful, and loving women. I never had sisters growing up and I can
honestly say after FSUVB came into my life, I walked out of that gym for the
final time in 2012 with more sisters than I could count on both hands.
I
am very
fortunate that most of the girls in my senior class live in or around
Western
New York. We all play volleyball together year round with other Fredonia
alums
that graduated before us. I know that Fredonia played a huge part in
making me
who I am today. After high school I didn't know how the transition would
be
into college. I have Coach Braun and all of the assistants to thank for
everything they did for me. My parents, Sharlene and Dan, also deserve
recognition. They truly are my best friends who believed in me through
all the ups and downs. They stood by me through all my injuries and
really were my rock for all 4 years of college. My father was able to
take pictures of all us girls and saw how we transformed into women
through his camera lens. My most memorable moment at FSU was winning the
SUNYAC
Championship in our home gym, Dods Hall. Every time I walk in that gym I
look
up at the banner on the wall and it still gives me goose bumps. I was so
proud
and honored that we won a championship for our school. The first ever
SUNYAC
win for the blue devils will be something that no one can ever take away
from
me. That year, I was fortunate enough to become Rookie of the Year for
our
division. Surgeries and injuries kept me in and out of practices and
games for the remainder of my career at Fredonia State.
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| Chelsea's Senior Night in 2011 |
I started to get a
little nervous as graduation approached my senior year. I began submitting applications
started less than a week after
graduation. The transition, needless to say, was pretty rough the first couple
of months. Working full 40-hour weeks after being in celebration mode for
all of spring semester definitely put my spirits down a little. Looking back on
it now, I realize I am truly blessed that I was given an opportunity to work at
Ingram Micro. My
majors are
exercise science and sport management; I never thought I would end up working
in the technology field. Since I started in May 2012, so many doors have
opened for
me. I
have SUNY Fredonia to thank for all of that. They helped me to feel
confident in who I am, prepared for the job market and left me excited for what
the future holds.
Life after college
was pretty calm until 2013, a whirlwind of a year! I moved in with my longtime
boyfriend Andrew, who I met during my sophomore year at Fredonia. We adopted a
black lab puppy named Odie (#OdieGuac) who will be turning 1. And
lastly in August, Andrew asked me to marry
him… 2013 definitely ended with a bang!
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| Odie! |
Good luck FSUVB, leave behind your legacy.
Chelsea Senn #99