Senior Celebration Series: Field Hockey

At Rensselaer, we are proud to recognize the student-athletes who are members of the Class of 2021. We thank them for their hard work, dedication and tremendous efforts in representing the Institute in a first-class manner academically and athletically. We wish them well in all their future endeavors. 

OLIVIA JACKSON

Eagle Bridge, New York | Biological Neuroscience

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: My favorite moment has to be the last lacrosse game of spring 2020. We were in Hilton Head on our Spring Break trip, right before shutdowns began. I didn’t know that this was my last game of college, nor that my first two college lacrosse goals scored that game would be my last. I will never forget the moment I walked off the field after my first goal and I had my whole team hugging me and cheering for me, with my family in the stands doing the same. It’s a moment I will miss for the rest of my life. I told my parents plenty of times to not feel obligated to spend the money to fly down and watch the games in Hilton Head, but they insisted, and now I’m forever grateful. Their unwavering commitment to support me through my athletic career allowed them to be there for a game that was seemingly average at the time, but ended up being one of the most sentimental games of my life. 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: RPI has been so special to me because I have been able to spend four years surrounded by tremendously smart, driven, athletic people who would never think twice about helping somebody out, whether it be in class or on the field. The humility of the student-athletes here has allowed for such a collaborative environment that has made it possible for me to succeed and make the absolute best of my four years here academically, athletically and socially. The personal growth I have experienced here has made me into a person I am proud to be, and will follow me for the rest of my life.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be attending Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, hoping to end up in some form of surgery involving orthopedics, trauma, and/or sports medicine. 

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• OJ is one of the friendliest, most welcoming people I know. She ensures everyone feels included and valued and you can always turn to her for advice or just to talk. She makes balancing two sports and a pre-med course load look effortless. She is going to make an amazing doctor and her positive presence on our team will be missed next year!
• I'm so happy Olivia decided to join the women's lacrosse team during her time at RPI. She's always excited to be active, particularly if it's lacrosse related, and I'm so impressed with how hard she has worked to improve over the last three years. Her work ethic is unmatched, and I know it will help her as she moves on to medical school next fall.
• OJ is one of the hardest working people I have met. She not only strives for academic excellence, but would always be out early before practice to run drills or practice shooting. I am excited to see OJ pursue her dreams in medical school as it is extremely well deserved. 
• You were always an encouraging player on the field, pushing everyone to their fullest potential. We will definitely miss you and good luck at med school!
• OJ brings an energy to every setting that is unmatched. She brightens up any room she enters and is always there to encourage her teammates no matter the situation. She is a great friend, teammate, student and most importantly, role model. She has truly shown what drive and determination can do, and I can't wait to see her successes in her future medical career.
• From a coach: The passion and drive OJ has for her team is evident, but even more so is the care and thoughtfulness she has for her teammates. Never one to back down from a challenge, demonstrated by OJ’s long list of involvement across campus, she is also very insightful and takes the time to make sure everyone on the team feels included and welcomed.  She was instrumental in making the new members of our team feel accepted into the program right away, and we will miss her constant support and encouragement!
• From a coach: To say that OJ cares about everyone, is an understatement. She fosters her relationships with every individual on the team, and while she believes that it’s for her own enjoyment, her connection with people benefits the entire team. Her passion for her sports, her people, her philanthropic causes, and her journey in medicine is palpable and contagious. OJ brings her enthusiasm to learn and develop her game to the field, weight room and film study. While she is her biggest critic, she has learned to find joy and pride in accomplishing even the smallest skill. That growth has been the most profound to witness, as a coach. I’ve seen her confidence soar and with that confidence, she is eager to provide her wisdom to others in need of a boost.

EMMA LEWIS

San Diego, California | Mechanical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: My favorite RPI Athletics memory was our overtime win against Ithaca during Senior Day in 2018. 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: RPI is special because it allowed me to pursue strong academics in engineering, while continuing to play the sport that I love.

Post-Graduation Plans: I will be joining Raytheon Missiles and Defense as a mechanical engineer at the Portsmouth, R.I., location.

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• You were the core of our defensive line and always seemed to know what you were doing! I’m definitely going to miss you next year! 
• Emma is a great leader and motivator. She is always there to support her team and provides encouraging messages when things are tough. 
• From a coach: Emma was a rock for our team the past few years. Her steady presence and level-headed mentality made her a perfect resource for our team and the voice of reason in difficult situations. When a problem or stressful situation arose, Emma was the person our team turned to. A true servant leader whose selflessness was evident from the first moment I met her, she is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team get better. Emma is eager to volunteer and step up wherever needed and continually sets a fantastic example for what it means to be a member of RPI Field Hockey on the field and off of it.  

SYDNEY LUKE

Eagle Bridge, New York | Aeronautical Engineering

Favorite RPI Athletics Memory: RPI athletics has been my family for the past four years, and I have made memories of a lifetime with this organization. My favorites being, our team trip to Boston, our chance to play in Liberty League Semifinals, and team dinners every night of pre-season. I also cherish our memories made in the weight room with Coach Sergio and the rest of the training staff! 

What Makes Rensselaer So Special: Rensselaer is a family and the athletics community provides a support system for every student who decides to take on the commitment of being an athlete. It is so special that the friends I have made on my team will be with me for life, but what has had an even greater impact on me are the coaches, trainers and all athletic staff. These individuals have supported me though my career and will continue to cheer me on from the sidelines in all my future endeavors. 

Post-Graduation Plans: When I graduate from RPI I will also commission into the US Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. In the spring of 2022 I will attend flight school with hopes of becoming a fighter pilot in the Air Force. In the meantime I will be enjoying some time off with friends and family, and pursuing a Master's degree in Political Science. 

WHAT OTHERS SAY:

• You always brought up the energy and positivity both on the field and in the locker room. It’s definitely going to be much different without you on the forward line!
• Syd is one of the happiest, brightest and most sociable people I’ve ever met. There isn't anybody she can’t get along with or make feel welcome. I’ve been so lucky to play alongside such a sweet girl for four years. And her looks are deceiving; she’s also one of the toughest and coolest girls I know. From what I hear, she is very highly regarded in the AFROTC, ranking as the top female at boot camp and earning her goal position as a pilot. And the crazy part is that she will never brag about it, though she deserves to. There is nothing she can’t do and I can’t wait to see where she goes from here.
• Syd brought unmatched energy to the RPI field hockey team. She was not only a strong player and forward on the field, but always made practice and game days fun with her enthusiasm and love for the game. I am very excited to see all the great things Syd will accomplish and the Air Force is very lucky to have a wonderful woman. 
• From a coach: Sydney is a wonderful teammate whose happy and outgoing personality, mixed with an incredibly strong work ethic and drive, will leave a lasting impact on our program. She was instrumental with keeping our team connected and bonded during this year, and she continued to inspire the team to give their all, even when our season was cancelled. Her ability to lead and motivate her teammates to be their best is impressive and is something that we will miss on our team, both on and off the field.

Attention Rensselaer student-athletes, coaches & staff: Should you wish to add any information or provide comments, please click HERE and submit the form.

as of June 20, 2021