Senior Erica D’Souza is a motivated Mercy student-athlete. She has specific, although challenging, educational goals for herself.

“I’m considering attending Loyola University in Chicago, Miami Ohio University, Dayton University, Michigan State University, and Grand Valley State University. I want to go] out of state because I just want a new change, and I think it would be fun to be on my own. I like being independent. I just feel like if I was staying in state I wouldn’t be able to do that.

I aspire to study to be a physician’s assistant, partially because my mom is also in the field. She’s a physical therapist, so I’ve always thought about being in the medical field because I want to be like her.

My older siblings have set the bar high for me as the youngest of three, so often I feel I need to meet certain expectations to compare to them, especially when it comes to academics. There’s a little bit of pressure [on me], but it’s ok because they’re also really supportive. [My parents] are supportive too.

My motivation extends beyond academic classes, as I’m involved in Spanish Honors Society and National Honors Society. They’re a little bit of work, but they’re worth it.

I run Mercy cross country and track and field. I started running in fifth grade, and have continued to further my athletic achievements with personal records and a Varsity letter last season. We’re a really tight-knit team, and it’s fun to hang out with them, especially when practices get really hard. My favorite highlight is practices with the team when we’re doing ab [workout] because no matter how hard it is, we’re always trying to make jokes and trying to cheer each other up.”