On the Water

ACTIVITIES

ON THE WATER

W

HEN THEY’RE NOT IN CLASS they’re often out on the water – trimming, rolling, and balancing the helm.

Six students in the Judy Genshaft Honors College compete on USF’s nationally-ranked women’s varsity sailing team. The team’s home base is the Haney Landing Sailing Center on the St. Petersburg campus, but its sailors travel to regattas all over the country and also host national competitions on Tampa Bay. Coach Allison Jolly is an Olympic gold medalist.

Heidi Hicks, a first-year Graphics Arts major on the St. Pete campus, normally sails a two-person craft with fellow Honors student Jewel “Min Min” Kelly. “We’re compatible in terms of size and skill and we work well together both on and off the water,” she says. “After practice, we usually meet up and do homework the rest of the night.”

For Heidi, competitive sailing and the Judy Genshaft Honors College go hand in hand. “I think that honors students are drawn to sailing because, like me, they see the endless learning potential that racing offers. There are many variables to account for in just one race. Sailors must practice making quick calculations and maintaining self-confidence to execute a winning strategy.”

Carolina Pérez Rovira, a senior psychology major who is completing her Honors thesis in the field of sports psychology, says her experiences in Honors combined with the demands of sailing have helped her grow as a person, developing discipline, time management, and communication and leadership skills.

“It’s about prioritizing and surrounding yourself with a support system – coaches, teammates, and professors – willing to help when needed,” says Carolina. “Believe in yourself, and you can accomplish anything you desire.”

Judy Genshaft Honors College students currently on the team’s roster include: Heidi Hicks, Carolina Pérez Rovira, Jewel “Min Min” Kelly, Janie Powell, Maggie McLauchlin, and Grace Skipper.