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Maria Smith ’19 was an essential player on the Cal Women’s Tennis team and an exemplary scholar. Her collegiate achievements include—but are not limited to—academic accolades from Cal, the PAC-12, and a national team championship in tennis.
What was your undergraduate life like at Cal?
My undergraduate experience at UC Berkeley was multifaceted and an all-around learning experience. It truly was a transition into a new phase of my life. I went from being home schooled for the majority of my adolescent years to attending the #1 public university in the world. I was blessed to be a member of the Cal Women’s Tennis team and to represent the school through my sport. During my weeks at Cal, my days were filled with running from class to tennis practice and back to class again. My weekends were spent competing my heart out in dual matches and tournaments while also ensuring all my homework was complete. Day to day, there were obstacles to conquer and lessons to learn. I was given the opportunity to interact with students from all walks of life who inspired me with their intelligence and creative energy. Cal pushed me to work harder and smarter and to enjoy the quest for knowledge. All in all, my undergraduate time at Berkeley allowed me to discover myself and the world around me to a depth I had not known before.
How do you tap into your Cal Alumni network?
I have stayed close to my mentor, Cloey Hewlett, the Executive Director of CAA. She has motivated me to contribute as much as I can to causes that I believe in and encouraged me to stay involved in the Cal community after my graduation. Through Cloey’s guidance, I have learned so much about the different facets of CAA, including the valuable programs and events for Cal alums to get involved in supporting incoming and current students. For me, contributing time and energy to serving others is a very important and fulfilling mission in a lifetime.
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