Olivia Williams '15, got the chance last October to visit the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, as part of the Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere program (or F.L.A.M.E.). While there, Williams shadowed Cindy Stinger, the Manager of U.S. Olympians.
"The experience really opened my eyes to the opportunities available within the United States Olympic Committee," Williams said. "It really affirmed my aspirations to help further the Olympic movement in some way."
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Williams was one of only 16 students selected to attend the program. For five days they stayed with and ate alongside U.S. Olympians while attending motivational presentations, leadership seminars and networking opportunities. She joined students from nine other universities.
"F.L.A.M.E. has really encouraged me to work on my personal development," Williams said. "In the long run I don't want to wake up to go to a job that I don't enjoy or doesn't fulfill me. Instead I want to leave a legacy at whatever I decide to do."
Speakers at the 2012 program included Olympic silver medalist Judi Clarke (Track & Field; 1984), three-time Olympians Cindy Stinger (handball; 1984, '88, '92) and Katrina McClain (Basketball; 1988, '92, '96). The F.L.A.M.E. banquet was held at the Garden of the Gods Club and featured keynote speaker Teresa Edwards, a five-time Olympic medalist basketball (1984, '88, '92, '96, '00).
Megan Shafer, a sophomore from The Woodlands, Texas, is majoring in Sport Management.