This fall, RE celebrated three seniors who will continue to play their sports at the Division 1 level in college. We caught up with each of them.
Kiera Rampersad, Boston University
Kiera Rampersad ’25, our resident school record breaker for the 100-meter butterfly, with her 54.76 second time, is headed off to Boston University this upcoming fall to continue her swimming successes.
When asked about her swimming journey, Rampersad remembered how she fell in love with the sport when she was just 9 years old, swimming for fun at a recreational gym near her home. But when she turned 11, she began racing competitively, joining the USA Swimming League.
As she got older, she gained independence through swimming, and even in the recruitment process, relied on her own instincts about which school was the right place for her to continue her journey.
“I was to myself during the whole process. After I was almost set, I would ask my friends and family, ‘What do you think about this and that?’ and hear their opinions. It was mostly my mom who helped me choose where to go and where I’ll thrive the best.”
When asked about advice for younger athletes aspiring to continue their sport at a Division 1 level, Kiera had one guiding thought.
“I definitely think you need to use your free time very wisely. I have two free periods now and during lunch, if I can, I do work. After practice I try not to stay up too late because there’s more time to do assignments the next day, and I think you should always prioritize sleep because it directly affects your athletic performance,” she explained.
Rampersad also mentioned how meaningful being a recruit for RE has been. It’s because of the support of her coaches, specifically Coach Huggins, and the community at RE who have continually supported and pushed her that she has achieved such success, she said. “Go Terriers!”
Addison Pollock, University of Pennsylvania
Addison Pollock ’25, a libero for RE’s Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team, is looking forward to attending the University of Pennsylvania this fall to continue her stellar volleyball career.
“I’m really excited to start the next chapter of my life. And in sports it’s kind of scary, starting at a new school, starting over with a new team, and new coaches. But I’m ready to get [to the University of Pennsylvania] and learn how to work even harder and get to know all my new teammates,” she said.
She recognized throughout the interview that her parents were her biggest supporters throughout the recruitment process: driving her to practice, funding her trips to different college camps for volleyball, and flying with her to out-of-state tournaments.
Her message to younger athletes aspiring to one day compete at the D1 level is simple: love your sport and do it for yourself, not anyone else. “You need to trust the process and believe that you’ll end up at the school that’s the best for you, and where you’re supposed to be.”
For Pollock, representing RE as a recruit means representing the school that has shaped her into the student-athlete that she is today. Without the endless support from her coaches, and friends whom she has known for the past 6 years at RE, she says she wouldn’t have had the tools to thrive.
“Being a Raider has taught me how to always be balanced, whether it’s athletics or schoolwork—but also, just how to have that motivation to excel.”
Mia Jean-Claude, Fairfield University
Mia Jean-Claude ’25 has been captivated by volleyball since sixth grade. She recalls the welcoming atmosphere and immediate friendships she made just from joining RE’s middle school team, friends who have been with her through her high school journey.
Now, Mia, also an outside hitter for the RE Girls Varsity Volleyball team, is committed to continue playing volleyball at the D1 level for Fairfield University.
Mia said she knew Fairfield was right for her because of their top nursing program.
“When I got the call that I would be able to get in, that [nursing] program was key for me. I knew I wanted to go. It was this yearlong process, but I focused on myself and knew everything would work out.”
When asked for advice for younger D1 hopefuls, Mia mentioned one guiding principle several times: balance.
“Give yourself time to stay grounded. You need your rest, and with sports it can get overwhelming. Sometimes you have to focus on what your main goal is or what you want the outcome to be. Also, a planner really helps me, invest in one,” she said.
For Mia, representing RE as not just a top student, but also a recruited athlete at the highest level is an immense honor.
“Being able to say, ‘I’m going to play college athletics,’ coming from Ransom, it shows that I put in the work to do well in my academics on top of athletics,” she said.
