“ACE is offering a once-in-a-lifetime volunteer experience. It’s important to me, as a student-athlete, to spend time helping others and ACE allows me to do so.”
Maddie’s past experiences with service include providing free swim lessons to children from low income families with Swimming with the Blue Devils and promoting water safety to the Durham community. Maddie and Duke Women’s Swimming and Diving (DWSD) also volunteer at Ronald McDonald House and serve community meals with Urban Ministries. DWSD also has the special opportunity to host and build relationships with a child with a life-threatening disease. Finally, Maddie also advocates for nonjudgmental sexual health resources on campus by participating in Peer Advocacy for Sexual Health (PASH).
Maddie is a senior captain on the Duke Swimming and Diving Team. She is a three-time NCAA Championship qualifier and has earned CSSCA All-Academic honors. Maddie was apart of the ACE in India 2018 program. Most of her time was spent at SPYM, a non-profit organization for juveniles with drug addictions. She had the opportunity to teach English, play sport games, and lead reflection activities. The ACE program was very impactful for Maddie. ACE gave her the opportunity to not only travel, but to advance her knowledge and continue her passion for volunteering. Coming back to Duke, Maddie is committed to sharing her ACE story and encouraging others to step out of their comfort zone. She is excited to bring back all the skills she strengthened, such as empathy and communication, to her team and to all of Duke athletics. While she is sad her ACE experience is over, she knows that her ACE membership is lifelong.
Want to hear more about Maddie’s ACE experience? Contact Maddie.
Dear Future #ACEathletes,
- Best advice for learning about ACE: Attend information sessions along with talking to previous ACE participants.
- Best advice for applying for ACE: To keep trying. Be honest and show why you care.
- Best advice for getting started at your program: Take a deep breath. It can be extremely overwhelming, but remember that it takes time to adjust to anything.
- Tips for getting to know your community: Ask lots of questions. Abid and Rajashree are your teachers, mentors, and a great source of information.
- Tips for training: Be sure to enjoy everything and not be too concerned that you aren’t doing enough. While having training resources is helpful, this can be used a mini mental break. Don’t miss out on the group events to go train.
- Tips for bringing ACE back to your team: You helped strengthen numerous aspects of your team. Don’t be afraid to use your voice.
- Reasons for staying involved in ACE: I truly believe this is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to learn and volunteer. I’m proud of the work I did and want to share my knowledge.