“Participating in the ACE program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will allow me to make a positive impact on the lives of others by applying the leadership and teamwork skills I have learned through being a student-athlete. I am excited to step outside of my comfort zone and expand my knowledge of the world as I immerse myself in a culture entirely different from my own!”
Valerie’s past experiences with service include volunteering at both high school and college track meets. Valerie has participated in multiple fundraising events led by her hometown community. She has also volunteered through her local YMCA by helping organize and run various community activities.

Valerie is a junior on the Stanford Women’s Track and Field team. She participated in the ACE in India program during the summer of 2018. During the summer, she worked at a local school as well as a local organization, Butterflies, that reaches out to street-connected children. At Butterflies, she learned about many of the organization’s programs, including one where children operate their own bank in order to save money for bigger purchases. She is double majoring in Psychology and Management Science and Engineering. The program exposed her to different ways of life and changed her perspective on service and the ethics of doing service work. Valerie’s experience in India sparked her excitement to learn more about how she can use and improve her new skills and understanding to reach out to other communities. Valerie has been an ACE Ambassador for a year now; she enjoys contributing to the program and preparing student-athletes for their ACE experience!
Want to hear more about Valerie’s ACE experience? Contact Valerie.
Dear Future #ACEathletes,
- Best advice for learning about ACE: Attend the interest meetings and compare your interests with the general program topics. Ask your teammates who have participated in ACE for information on the programs as well.
- Best advice for applying for ACE: ACE is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in service and learn about the ethics of service, so put a lot of thought and time into your application.
- Best advice for getting started at your program: Getting to know the people in your program comes naturally and you bond quickly because you are all in a new environment. The program directors will help you adjust during the first few days.
- Tips for getting to know your community: Have an open mind when approaching new situations because every new encounter is a chance to learn.
- Tips for training: Being with other student-athletes is beneficial because you all have the same goal. Balancing training with other activities is not difficult.
- Tips for bringing ACE back to your team: I have spoken to my teammates about my experience and will continue to encourage them to apply.
- Reasons for staying involved in ACE: Participating in ACE was life-changing. I’ve enjoyed staying involved with the program and promoting it in the best possible way. The ACE community is supportive and open to feedback which is something I love.