Brooke Vivian Lemmen, Class of 2002

Hello! My name is Brooke Vivian Lemmen. I grew up in McBain, Michigan, a rural farming town in Northern Michigan. I graduated in 1998 from McBain Rural Agricultural School (Class C - kindergarten through 12th grade in the same building) part of a class of 83. I was very active in high school. I sang in the senior choir, was a member of the student council, part of the National Honor Society, and was busy with both debate and track and field teams. I was also a competitive club gymnast in Traverse City and competed throughout the state of Michigan as a level 9.

I came to Hope for a variety of reasons. Because I had grown up in a small community, I did not want to go to a large college. My mom had graduated from Hope so I had grown up on stories of her college days - and after looking at several colleges, decided that Hope was my best bet. Looking back now I can't believe that I even CONSIDERED anywhere else! Hope's reputation in science and medicine also drew me, as I was interested in a pre-med program. As I looked into curriculum, however, I was intrigued by the athletic training program. As a gymnast I had been plagued by injuries, and this field piqued my interest. Unfortunately I had missed the deadline to apply for the program for my freshman year.

I came to Hope in the fall of 1998 as a timid freshman, nervous about all that college can bring - new roommates, difficult classes, living on my own - but soon I was swept up in the wonders of campus life. I had decided to switch from gymnastics to diving and practice began nearly as soon as classes did. One of my freshman teammates was part of the athletic training program, and every day at practice she'd tell me about the things she was doing, working with the athletes already, as a freshman! I finally worked up the courage to talk with the "man-in-charge", Rich Ray, about applying for his program. To make a long story short, I was accepted into the athletic training program the next semester. This was one of my milestones at Hope.

As part of the athletic training program I worked with men's soccer, women's softball, women's basketball, men's and women's cross-country, baseball, and football. I also completed rotations in a sports medicine clinic, a local high school, and in clinic with our team physician. I helped the athletes in the athletic training room, covered their practices and games - and even traveled with the teams to away contests and for spring break training trips. During those three and a half years I learned more than just how to tape an ankle, and to remind everyone to "Rest, Ice, Elevate, and Compress." I learned about myself. I became a stronger, more confident person. I learned that I could handle a lot of pressure, and come out with my head high. I learned to manage my time effectively, and how to learn from my mistakes. I also learned valuable "people" skills as I worked with other athletic trainers, the athletes, and their coaches. These are skills that go far beyond the traditional classroom setting. Because of the intimate size of the athletic training program, I became good friends with my peers, and with my faculty mentors - and I was able to learn from all of them. Because Hope is a smaller school - I was able to be ON the field with the football injuries, instead of being regulated to "water girl." And in this way learned through real hands-on application. As I progressed in my education I was part of the decision making process in diagnosis and treatment. These are experiences unique to the small, but amazing, athletic training program at Hope College.

While the athletic training program kept me busy, I still had time for other extra-curricular activities while I was at Hope. I continued on the varsity Swimming & Diving team all four years I was at Hope. I was also active in Hope's chapter of AED (a pre-med honor society) and participated in many community events. I received the NASPE Outstanding Major of the Year Award in my senior year. During spring break I as able to travel to Central and South America as part of a medical mission trip. I met some amazing friends in my four years at Hope. These were both peers and faculty members and are people I continue to keep in touch with. I also met my husband at Hope.

I graduated from Hope College in May of 2002. Just before graduation I found out that I had passed my NATA certification exam on the first try - a testament to the excellent education I received at Hope. I have continued my education and I am currently a medical student at Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. As I look back on the timid freshman who first came to Hope, I know that I owe a lot to Rich, and the athletic training program, for shaping me into a confident and capable athletic trainer, and helping me to grow as a person.

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