I did not know Maria very well, but I will never forget her. I am from Winston-Salem, and I went to lots of Wake Forest field hockey games when Maria was on the team. She was a great player. She was quick and smart and dynamic and she made things happen. I loved watching her play.
I went to Wake field hockey camp for several summers and I always wanted to be on Maria's team; everyone did. We all thought she was so cool because she had an eyebrow ring.
We wanted to be like her because she was such a great field hockey player, and because there was just something about her that made her shine. You wanted to be around Maria and you wanted to be like her.
I saw her a few times around campus this year and I wish I had introduced myself and told her that I loved watching her play, and that she inspired me.
Watching her teammates, friends, coaches and colleagues file into the Duke Chapel for her memorial service, I am amazed at how many lives she touched during her too short life. I wish I had known her better, but I am lucky for knowing her at all. She was spectacular.
Cameron Howard
Trinity '09
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