Most memorable: “Early mornings, tough losses, big wins, and the people who supported me along the way”
Major: Nursing
From: Brighton High School, NY
What’s next?
I will be starting my nursing career in the Emergency Department at Strong Memorial Hospital, where I have already accepted a position.
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What are you most looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to being there for patients in critical moments and making a real impact when it matters most. As a student-athlete, I’ve learned how to stay calm under pressure, work as part of a team, and push through challenges — skills that Naz helped me strengthen both on the court and in the classroom, and that I’ll carry with me into the emergency department.
How have your Naz experiences shaped who you are today?
Being both a nursing student and a student-athlete shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. Balancing early clinicals, long practices, games, and schoolwork wasn’t always easy, but it taught me discipline, resilience, and how to show up even when I was exhausted. One moment that stands out is going from a long day at clinical straight to practice. I realized in that moment how much I had grown and how capable I was of handling more than I thought.
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| Kiara and other senior nursing students teach health lessons to Avon Elementary School students. |
What lesson will you take with you?
The biggest lesson I’ll take with me is how to persevere. Whether it was in a tough game or a challenging nursing class, Naz taught me how to keep going, stay focused, and trust in my preparation.
Has anyone had a great impact on you?
My coaching staff had such a meaningful impact on my time at Naz, both on and off the court. They believed in me even during moments when I doubted myself and supported me through the ups and downs of balancing athletics, academics, and life. Whether it was checking in after a tough day, celebrating the little wins, or helping me stay grounded, their support meant everything to me.
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| With women’s basketball head coach Kelly Dunne-Romig. |
Memorable moment?
A moment that stands out is playing my last basketball game. It made me reflect on everything — early mornings, tough losses, big wins, and the people who supported me along the way. It was bittersweet, but it reminded me how much Naz has shaped me, not just as a student or athlete, but as a person stepping into the next chapter of my life.
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Hanging out with friends on campus. |
