AMCAT Conversations: Sam Cyr-Ledoux, Ashley Garcia, and Hannah Mitchell
The AMCAT Conversation series is a way to allow others to get to know the student-athletes of Anna Maria College on and off the field/court. We hope you enjoy their conversation.
PAXTON, MA - Our first AMCATS Conversation features, sophomore men's ice hockey center, and Business Administration major, Sam Cyr-Ledoux (Montreal, QC). Cyr-Ledoux arrived on campus from the South Shore Lumberjacks; sophomore softball first basewoman, catcher, and shortstop Ashley Garcia (Cornwall, NY), Garcia is a Forensic Criminology and attended Cornwall Central High School; senior volleyball student-athlete Hannah Mitchell (Pittsfield, MA) is a four-year outside hitter and right side and will be graduating in the fall with a degree in Health and Community Services. Mitchell attended Taconic High School. She also serves as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee president on campus.
Why Anna Maria College? Why Division III?
Cyr-Ledoux: David Mccauley did an amazing job of recruiting me. I immediately jumped on board with the winning mentality he already had back when the program did not even exist yet. I also loved the idea of building the program from the ground up, it's a great learning experience.
Garcia: I picked Anna Maria because of the close-knit family atmosphere and small class sizes. Also, instantly upon talking to faculty, I knew that they would be able to provide the best networking for my future career.
Mitchell: I chose Anna Maria for the small and supportive community it provided. I'm someone who thrives a lot better in smaller class settings and I always knew I would get lost in huge lecture halls. I chose to play Division III because it still takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it allowed me to be a true student-athlete. I've been able to be equally committed to athletics, academics and while maintaining a personal life on campus which I saw helped me have a more balanced lifestyle.
What is your favorite class and professor?
Cyr-Ledoux: My favorite professor is Linda Nolin. She cares a lot about her students, and she is always ready to help. My favorite class has been Introduction to Psychology because it really did expand my knowledge on how the mind functions, and I found this very interesting.
Garcia: My favorite class would have to be Crime Scene Forensics and my favorite professor would be Professor Fournier.
Mitchell: My favorite class over the course of four years would have to be any class I have taken with Susan Claprood-Wagner, she is one of the best professors I've been lucky enough to have!
What is your favorite place on campus?
Cyr-Ledoux: Saint Anne's, that's where all the fun happens, and you get to hang out with people.
Garcia: The softball field.
Mitchell: My favorite place on campus definitely would be the Fuller Center, I will always cherish the memories that have been made there.
What motivates you to work hard?
Cyr-Ledoux: My fear for regrets.
Garcia: I think wanting to be successful and making my family proud drives me to push myself. I would also have to say all the people that do not believe that I will be successful in my career. I think knowing that nothing comes easy in life, but with perseverance and dedication, it will help me stop at nothing to achieve my goals.
Mitchell: My parents have always been a huge motivation factor for me, they've always pushed me to be my best in whatever I do. They always made sure to let me know that in order to strive, you need to be passionate about what you're doing in life and the path you want to take.
Who is your favorite school to play against?
Cyr-Ledoux: Plymouth State, they are a good team and their rink is awesome.
Garcia: Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
Mitchell: My favorite school to play against has always been between Becker and Johnson and Whales University.
Who is your favorite professional team?
Cyr-Ledoux: Montreal Canadians.
Garcia: New York Yankees.
Mitchell: Team USA volleyball all the way!
What three people would you invite to a dream dinner party?
Cyr-Ledoux: Elon Musk, Mac Miller, and Tammy Hembrow.
Garcia: Derek Jeter, Post Malone, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Mitchell: Ellen DeGeneres, Ashley Grahm, and Victoria Garrick.
What would you eat at this dinner?
Cyr-Ledoux: Filet Mignon.
Garcia: Chicken parm.
Mitchell: Surf and Turf.
Who is your hero?
Cyr-Ledoux: Growing up it was Sidney Crosby.
Garcia: My mom.
Mitchell: My hero is my mom especially during the pandemic we are in now. She works for Hospice and always goes to work with a smile on her face and with so much passion for the job she is doing. She is my role model for my career path, she has always told me that it is okay to get into a profession and then find out it's not the one for you. She also says it's not something to be scared of rather one to be looked at as new opportunities to arise and find what you are truly passionate about in life.
If you could choose to do only one thing for a day, what would it be?
Cyr-Ledoux: Play hockey.
Garcia: It would be going to a Yankee game and getting seats right behind home plate.
Mitchell: If I could choose one thing to do especially in the time we are in now with this pandemic, it's pretty simplistic with just the fact of being able to go to the Cape Cod beaches with my friends and play beach volleyball!
What are some of your hobbies?
Cyr-Ledoux: Hockey, working out, and traveling.
Garcia: I really like traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Mitchell: I really enjoy being creative! Whether it's bullet journaling, painting or just coloring. I always found it as something relaxing to do if I'm stressed.
What sports did you play growing up?
Cyr-Ledoux: Hockey, football, and rugby.
Garcia: I played soccer, basketball, softball and did horseback riding.
Mitchell: Growing up I played soccer for two years and then began playing volleyball when I was a freshman in high school!
If you had superpowers, what would they be and what would be your superhero name?
Cyr-Ledoux: The ability to read minds.
Garcia: I would want to be named Blaze and have teleporting powers.
Mitchell: My superpower would be flying/reading minds and my superhero name would be Captain Mitchie.
What is your favorite movie?
Cyr-Ledoux: Talladega Nights.
Garcia: Remember the Titans or anything Marvel.
Mitchell: Bridesmaids.
What is your favorite TV show to binge?
Cyr-Ledoux: The Office.
Garcia: All American.
Mitchell: Grey's Anatomy or The Office.
If you had to describe yourself as an animal, what would it be?
Cyr-Ledoux: Carol Baskins' Tiger.
Garcia: A dolphin.
Mitchell: Everyone who knows me knows my love for Unicorns, my friends say I am easily one because I'm always energetic and colorful (lively and exciting).
What is your dream job?
Cyr-Ledoux: A financial advisor.
Garcia: To be in the Intelligence Unit in the FBI or to open up my own law firm.
Mitchell: My dream job after college is to further my education to obtain my BCBA while working as a Behavioral Technician and ultimately end up working in a Hospital for Behavioral Medicine.
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