In the Right Place
Choosing where to attend college is never an easy decision. But imagine selecting a school in a different country, 11 hours from home, and committing to that school without ever having stepped foot on campus.
That was the decision facing Rylee Martin three years ago. Now in her junior year at Midland University, the Nesbitt, Manitoba, Canada native couldn’t be happier with how things have turned out.
“It was a little bit daunting coming that far from home because I only had a virtual tour due to Covid. But when I was talking with Coach (Jason) White (women’s hockey), he made it clear we would be treated like family, which was very reassuring to me and my family.
“Every time my parents come for a visit, they always say I’m in the right place. Midland has been like a second home to me, and being part of the hockey team and that culture has emphasized that I’m where I need to be.”
Rylee was on the ice as soon as she could walk and began playing hockey in second grade. Her love of the sport has never waned and would eventually help her decide where she wanted to continue her education. “Coach reached out to me, and even during Covid, we stayed in contact. I learned more about Midland through our conversations but could only take a virtual visit.”
She was also blessed to have a friend and teammate, Keagan Shearer, go through that initial transition period with her. “It helped to have Keagan here because we went through everything together, and we’ve been roommates our entire time here. It was great being part of a team because you didn’t walk into a classroom not knowing anyone, and my teammates were always there for support and guidance. Coach White is adamant about getting good people in his program who are willing to put in the extra work in hockey, school, and life.”
That extra work has paid off in the women’s team, earning the No. 1 ranking in the American Collegiate Hockey Association this season with a 20-0-1 record heading into the holiday break. “It’s been rewarding to see the program grow and be able to reap the benefits of all the time and effort we put into it. Hockey has always been part of my life and I’ve been able to hang out with my friends and travel and meet new people. It’s become like my family.”
Rylee is a Mathematics major with a compressed Digital Marketing major. She also has an affinity for graphic design, something she utilizes as part of the staff for the Warriors in Words student publication.
“I’d really like to find a way to combine all three into my future career someday. I believe there’s a way to analyze data and then present that data to clients and other companies through graphic designs. I want to have a job that doesn’t feel like work, where I’m doing something new every day.”
Rylee Martin is a junior Mathematics major and compressed Digital Marketing major from Nesbitt, Manitoba, Canada.
