Empowering Experiences

Going into her senior year, Sophia Rooks ‘23 has made the most of her time here at Washington College, both academically and through her extracurriculars. An accomplished rower on the Washington College Women’s Rowing Team, Sophia has connected with both old and new passions during her time as a student.

 

Arriving at Washington College, Sophia knew she wanted to pursue rowing at a collegiate level. Rowing since the seventh grade, the sport became a passion and a way to bond with not only teammates, but her family as well; “I love rowing, my whole family does it together and it’s a good bonding activity.”

A dedicated member of the women’s rowing team, Sophia primarily rows starboard during the season, alongside her fellow teammates with who she shares a strong bond; “There are people in that boat and on the team that I know I will know for the rest of my life and it’s a bond that can’t be broken. To cross a finish line – win, lose, or draw –you’re all there in that moment.”

Win, lose, or draw, Sophia’s love of rowing is continually affirmed by her experiences on the team and with the shared experiences they have together.

“There’s this beautiful thing that happens in the boat – your oars are moving at the same time, and you can hear all that movement happen at the same time. It’s almost like the boat has this breath, and it’s magical. When everyone is moving together there’s this hum, like the boat is singing to you when you do well. It’s such a beautiful moment and getting to share moments like that with these other strong, powerful women is very validating and empowering.”

While she knew she wanted to pursue rowing, what Sophia didn’t expect was becoming a double major in Environmental Studies and Theatre. Having been involved with theatrical works in high school, Sophia pursued a major in theatre following an opportunity as assistant stage manager for her peer mentor in her first year. 

“I never envisioned I’d be sitting right here, right now, doing what I’m doing. But I tried one thing that led to another, and another. Now I’m here and much happier.”

That opportunity has led Sophia to her current path – finding a fusion between her two majors as she navigates her Senior Capstone Experience. 

“I love theatre, but there is a lot of waste afterwards. For my senior thesis project for my environmental [studies] major, I’m trying to test how we can do as much of a zero waste production as possible.”

While balancing her extracurriculars and environmental studies SCE, Sophia is also writing a play for her theatre SCE. Adapting the book ‘Grendel’ into a production, Sophia looks forward to putting on a full-scale show in the spring of 2023. 

Following graduation, Sophia wishes to pursue her passion for theatre as a career out west – though she doesn’t rule out her love for the environment either, as she is also considering a career in the National Park System.