January-Vanderbilt Student-Athletes of the Month

*The Student-Athletes of the Month are selected on the basis of the all-around student-athlete...effort and excellence in academics, leadership, integrity, dedication to team, campus involvement, community service, and the ability to serve as a role model for current and future VU students and student-athletes.

January 2005

Josie Hahn - Women's Track and Field

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
Three reasons . . . 1. Because of the prestige it has earned through great academics. 2. It's in the SEC . . the best conference in the nation for track and field. 3. My parents kept leaving notes all over my house, trying to "sell" Vanderbilt to me so that I would stay closer to home (I was seriously considering another university, much further away).

What are your career goals?
I will graduate this May with a bachelor's degree in Neuroscience and I am taking next year off. I will be applying to Dental Schools around the southeast to hopefully attend the following school year. I hope to become either an orthodontist or a pediatric dentist.

What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
To be academically successful at Vanderbilt, you need to attend class, study, and make sure you approach professors about any material that you may be uncertain about in their course. However, being successful academically and athletically involves a great amount of time management, preparation for missed classes, communication with professors, and studying while traveling to athletic events.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I try to make sure I get my 8 hours of sleep every night, and then I prioritize what I need to do each week. Class and practice require a lot of time but they are a must. I divide the rest of my time up between studying, homework, time with friends, and me-time. My priorities vary from week to week depending on how much work I have for that week. I LOVE to be busy though, so this whole student-athlete thing works out great for me.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
I usually get up early, review for about an hour, and then go for a jog to take my mind off of the subject. After breakfast, I look over my notes to clear up any last minute questions I have, grab some gum and my number 2 pencil, and head to the exam.

What is your favorite quote?
"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."

Why Josie is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Josie is a true example of the term student-athlete. She has demonstrated outstanding scholastic skills in maintaining an exceptional GPA. Josie is a three time All-American and almost made the USA Olympic Track Team. She won the SEC Outdoor Heptathlon and placed third in the 2004 SEC Indoor Heptathlon. In addition, she has done numerous community service projects within the Vanderbilt network during her tenure as a student-athlete. Josie is a great role model, but even better person, and will go on to do great things. -- Max Martin

Norval McKenzie - Football

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
I chose Vanderbilt because of its reputation for academics. I compete every week in the classroom as well as on the football field with the best students and student-athletes in America.

What are your career goals?
I'm completing a triple major in education, political science, and history. I plan on becoming a teacher and a coach at the high school level. I've always had dreams to make it to the NFL, and I'll see if those pan out. Either way, I will be a high school teacher and coach in the future.

What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
Overall, academic success just takes being disciplined, taking advantage of your resources, and good time management. It's also important to get to know your professors and advisors one-on-one. I also praise the great academic support staff.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I prioritize and organize my schedule, manage my time. Our schedule is already so structured, and that helps with prioritizing demands.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
Normally, I try to stay calm. I start studying a couple days beforehand. I'll study for an hour and a half, and then relax, do something else - a diversion - then return to studying for a while. I don't stay up all night cramming for a test. I try to relax.

What is your favorite quote?
"Worry About Nothing, Pray About Everything." (Philippians 4:6)

Why Norval is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
I nominated Norval McKenzie to be one of our inaugural student-athletes of the month because he is one of my favorite student-athletes that I have ever worked with. I've known him for over four years. He is a man of quiet integrity, commitment, faith, perseverance, and courage. He is loyal to his friends, family, and teammates. Norval will be a wonderful, inspirational teacher and coach, and his students will be lucky to have him. We will really miss him around here. -- Elizabeth Wright

Annie Menees - Women's Tennis

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
Of all the schools I was looking at, Vanderbilt offered the best combination of academic and athletic excellence. Also, Coach Macdonald had what I was looking for in a coach.

What are your career goals?
I am not really sure yet, but it will most likely involve working with children.

What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
It takes hard work and time management.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I just try to plan way ahead for everything during the school year. I write down all of my big tests and paper due dates and our practice times and match dates at the beginning of each semester. That's the only way to manage it all.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
I do not really have a ritual, I just study too much!

What is your favorite quote?
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow." -- Helen Keller

Why Annie is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Annie Menees is a senior on the women's tennis team. She is a double major in Child Development and Cognitive Studies. In her 3 years at Vanderbilt, Annie has never gotten lower than an A- in a class. Annie's leadership and goal orientation transfers over from the court into the classroom. She is an excellent role model for kids pursuing both academic and athletic achievements. She is also a great role model for her peers. -- Mollie Busam

Nick Pilkington - Baseball

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
I chose Vanderbilt because of its outstanding combination of both academics and athletics.

What are your career goals?
After graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I would like to pursue my master's degree in Business Administration as I am playing professional baseball. Once I have completed my education and baseball career, I hope to work as a chief engineer for a major corporation.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
I eat a couple of corn dogs with a large glass of sweet tea, put on my lucky camo hat, and rock out to the Presidents of the United States of America to get pumped up for the test.

What is your favorite quote?
"Play hard and stay out of foul trouble." -- Larry Finch

Why Nick is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
As a Mechanical Engineering major and a baseball pitcher, Nick has demonstrated the definition of student-athlete. He has maintained a strong academic record, while serving as an excellent role model and a valuable leader to his team, both on and off the field. Nick will have a bright future and a very successful career. -- Katie Feyes

Academic Support for Student-Athletes | Vanderbilt University
Department of Student Athletics | 2601 Jess Neely Drive | Nashville, TN 37212
Phone (615) 343-0444