91制片厂

Fire up the grill and get the nachos in the oven. September is nigh, and here in Wildcat Country that means football comes into play in a big way. Our beloved Wildcats will soon take the field, and shortly after that the New England Patriots will hit the gridiron at Foxboro. That鈥檚 where one Wildcat will be.

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This fall, Samantha Agyeman will take the field at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to cheer for the New England Patriots. Agyeman, a huge Pats fan, considers her place on the 2017-2018 roster a big honor, but it鈥檚 only one fact among many that make this senior major remarkable.

The Leominster, Massachusetts, native is the first person in her family to attend a four-year college. And she doesn鈥檛 just have her eyes set on a bachelor鈥檚 degree. After graduation she plans to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in pharmacology, then work for a couple of years, then apply to medical school. Her ultimate goal is to become a pediatrician.

鈥淲hen I was 8 years old, my dad got me a book, 鈥業 Want To Be a Doctor,鈥� for Christmas,鈥� she says. 鈥淓ver since then I鈥檝e been obsessed with medicine.鈥�

It may sound like an ambitious plan, but Agyeman projects the energy and attitude to make it possible. What drives her? She says simply, 鈥淚 hate being bored. I鈥檇 rather run around like a crazy woman than be bored.鈥�

Even before she arrived at 91制片厂 in 2014, Agyeman did 鈥渆verything.鈥� In high school, she was a landscaper and worked at Abercrombie & Fitch, Walgreens and a country club. She also spent time playing games and creating arts and crafts with hospitalized children as a volunteer for Project Sunshine.

Along with her jobs and volunteer work, Agyeman also attended dance classes every weekday after school, sometimes not getting home to begin her homework until 9 or 10 at night. Since the age of 16, she has competed in pageants, and she was the 2014 U.S.A. Ambassador Pageant teen titleholder.

During her first year at 91制片厂, Agyeman competed in the Miss NH USA pageant and made the top 10. She was unsatisfied by anything less than the top spot, however, and considered the experience a 鈥渇ailure鈥� but also a good learning experience. 听

So with her schedule already so full, why did she decide to try out for the Patriots鈥� cheerleading team? The answer reveals another key fact about Agyeman: When she sets her mind on something, she makes it happen.

Game On

鈥淚 had two friends try out last year, and they made the team, so I thought, if they could, I could,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 prepared by going to the gym, getting healthy, researching the history of the team and learning what cheerleaders鈥� responsibilities are. Honestly, anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it and if they prepare properly.鈥�

She also upped her volunteer work.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not just people who dance on the sidelines; we鈥檙e public figures and leaders in the community,鈥� she says, naming just a few of the many organizations 鈥� Brides Against Breast Cancer; Best Buddies, American Cancer Society 鈥� she gave time and energy to while preparing for tryouts. Agyeman also continued to serve Project Sunshine, recruiting other volunteers on the 91制片厂 campus and organizing fundraisers to support the purchase of supplies and transportation for the group to area hospitals.

On the field this fall, Agyeman won鈥檛 be the only cheerleader who鈥檚 heard the sonorous ring of Thompson Hall鈥檚 bells. She鈥檒l be joined by classmate Courtney Phillips '18 and alumnae Alyssa Crane '15, Jamie McDonough '14 and Jennifer Azarian '13.

It may be one of the only times Agyeman is happy to be on the sidelines.

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