Sara Chrystie
Graduation Year: 2010
Major: Childhood Education
Hometown: Oxford, NY
CAREER GOAL:
Completing a master’s in Special Education at Oneonta and teaching elementary or special education in the area.
MOST INFLUENTIAL CLASS:
Sara points to Education 235 (Reading and Literacy) with Professor Jane Miller as the class that influenced her the most: “Her class made me realize why I want to become a teacher and got me excited for the rest of my academic career at Oneonta.”
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS:
Sara has made the Dean’s List and Provost’s List several times during her academic career at Oneonta. A recipient of the Alumni Association Centennial Scholarship and the Robert Wiebel '38 Scholarship, she was selected to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Team for her leadership on the basketball court and in the classroom. In both 2008 and 2009, she received the SUNYAC Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to each sport’s All-Conference athlete with the highest GPA. This year, she was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma national honor society and received the College’s Lee Abbott Scholar Athlete Award.
CAMPUS ACTIVITES:
A three-year starting point guard for the women's basketball team, Sara has participated in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the Captains’ Leadership Program, and she attended the NCAA National Leadership Conference in Pittsburgh. A leader in community service among Oneonta’s athletes, Sara has volunteered through the reading program at Center Street School in Oneonta, Relay for Life, Thanksgiving Day Baskets, and Green Dragon Week Fundraiser.
Why Oneonta?
I came to Oneonta because I wanted a school that would provide me with a great education and allow me the opportunity to play basketball. I really liked Oneonta's small and personal environment and was impressed with how friendly the people were. The other private schools that I was looking at were far too expensive and didn't give me the same comfort that Oneonta did.
What has been your most memorable experience at Oneonta so far?
One of my most memorable experiences was traveling to Texas for an entire week with the women's basketball team. We got a fantastic tour of the entire state and had many opportunities to do things on our own. It was a great experience that I was able to share with teammates and friends whom I will remember for the rest of my life.
What three words summarize your experience at Oneonta?
Memorable, exciting, worthwhile.
What advice do you have for high school students considering Oneonta?
Get involved on campus as much as possible! Take advantage of some of the amazing opportunities--clubs, sports, trips, or community service. The more time you put in to activities, the better your experience will be at Oneonta.
