Calvin vaulter focuses on architect career
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:35 am
http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/ind ... xml&coll=6
Calvin vaulter focuses on architect career
Thursday, June 29, 2006
By Howie Beardsley
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- During her pole vaulting career at Calvin College, Missy Smith's goal was to raise the bar as high as possible.
Now, the three-time All-American hopes to elevate the quality of living in developing countries.
Smith was honored Wednesday by the NCAA with a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship that will help the former Grand Rapids Christian star continue her college studies this fall at the University of California-Berkeley's graduate school of architecture.
"I have actually been interested in architecture since I was a child," Smith said. "When I was 11, on one of those 'what do you want to be' sheets, I wrote down I wanted to be an architect. I like math and science and thought it would be a good combination."
It proved to be even more of a personal interest when Smith spent the fall semester in 2004 studying overseas, where she took part in designing an orphanage in India.
"That trip showed me why I wanted be an architect and how it can involve social change," said Smith, who also spent a month in India.
Smith graduated from Calvin with a double major in German and Asian studies, and a minor in art history. She compiled a 3.93 grade-point average and was a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American.
In the pole vault, Smith placed third as a senior at the NCAA Division III championship meet with a leap of 12 feet, 2 1/2 inches.
She was fifth nationally as a junior and fourth during her sophomore season.
Smith's top vault was 12-7.
Her only regret while awaiting her graduate studies at Cal-Berkeley is she no longer will compete as a pole vaulter.
"Pole vaulting was a great outlet for me regarding my college studies at Calvin, and it was something I had to do now, because I knew I couldn't do it in the future," Smith said.
"You always say you could have gone higher, but I'm really happy with my college career. I'm just sad it's over," Smith said.
Calvin vaulter focuses on architect career
Thursday, June 29, 2006
By Howie Beardsley
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- During her pole vaulting career at Calvin College, Missy Smith's goal was to raise the bar as high as possible.
Now, the three-time All-American hopes to elevate the quality of living in developing countries.
Smith was honored Wednesday by the NCAA with a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship that will help the former Grand Rapids Christian star continue her college studies this fall at the University of California-Berkeley's graduate school of architecture.
"I have actually been interested in architecture since I was a child," Smith said. "When I was 11, on one of those 'what do you want to be' sheets, I wrote down I wanted to be an architect. I like math and science and thought it would be a good combination."
It proved to be even more of a personal interest when Smith spent the fall semester in 2004 studying overseas, where she took part in designing an orphanage in India.
"That trip showed me why I wanted be an architect and how it can involve social change," said Smith, who also spent a month in India.
Smith graduated from Calvin with a double major in German and Asian studies, and a minor in art history. She compiled a 3.93 grade-point average and was a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American.
In the pole vault, Smith placed third as a senior at the NCAA Division III championship meet with a leap of 12 feet, 2 1/2 inches.
She was fifth nationally as a junior and fourth during her sophomore season.
Smith's top vault was 12-7.
Her only regret while awaiting her graduate studies at Cal-Berkeley is she no longer will compete as a pole vaulter.
"Pole vaulting was a great outlet for me regarding my college studies at Calvin, and it was something I had to do now, because I knew I couldn't do it in the future," Smith said.
"You always say you could have gone higher, but I'm really happy with my college career. I'm just sad it's over," Smith said.