My name is Jayden Hickenbotham,
I’m a freshman from Clay City, Indiana, majoring in Kinesiology at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. I am an athlete on both the cross country and track teams! Being a student-athlete has shaped much of who I am today as well as my college experience, but it’s not the only thing that has guided me into who I am today.
Outside of athletics, I am active on and off campus in several meaningful ways. I serve as a Student Senate member, where I and many other members help represent the student body and bring student voices into conversations that impact their time here at The Woods. I am president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where I lead and support student-athletes, organize events, voice our student-athletes’ perspectives to the administration and create stronger connections between athletes and non-athlete students.
I serve as the co-vice president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where I help organize worship, create and give devotionals, as well as create an environment where students can grow in their faith and build strong relationships with each other! I am also a student ambassador for the admissions team, where I give campus tours, welcome potential students and assist with office tasks. Lastly, I also work at Chick-fil-A, where I’ve developed strong skills in time management, accountability and responsibility, while also growing my communication and people skills!
Being involved in these organizations has completely shaped my college journey. It’s helped me grow in so many ways, like creating connections with other students and staff, growing as a leader and staying challenged to better myself beyond just athletics. Being active and involved has helped me find my purpose and belonging here at The Woods, and I couldn’t ask for anything better!
For students looking to get involved, my biggest advice is to step out of your comfort zone and do the things you think you aren’t capable of. It can feel overwhelming and challenging at first, but that’s where the growth happens! My advice would be to get involved and be willing to try something new. You don’t have to do everything, but finding a few things that you are passionate about can make a great impact on your time at SMWC.
As my schedule gets pretty packed and stressful, staying connected and focused means I have to be intentional. I keep a detailed calendar with my classes, tests, homework, practices, jobs, meetings and clubs that helps me stay on top of everything and stay balanced even when things get busy. As I manage stress and take care of myself, I stay rooted in my faith. I spend time in prayer, reading scripture and listening to worship music, which brings me peace and keeps me grounded in what matters most! My faith helps me not to worry or stress about the future, because the present already has enough to focus on. I also make sure to prioritize rest and take time for myself when needed because taking care of my mental and physical health is important to me.
Overall, being involved on campus has made my college experience more meaningful and fulfilling! It has helped me grow as a leader, deepen my faith and build a strong community around me. I encourage every student to find a way to get involved and become part of something bigger than themselves!
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