2019 Kinesiology: Jane Woodward
Jane Woodward was a four-sport standout in high school, participating in varsity women’s volleyball, basketball, track, and tennis at Woodrow Wilson High School in her hometown of Portland, Oregon. After high school, Jane moved to Orange County on her own to attend Cypress College and play on the college’s volleyball and beach volleyball teams. She finished her career at Cypress with 321 career kills and 122 blocks, earning a 2018 all-Orange Empire Conference First Team selection and earning a spot on the 2018 All-State Tournament Team.
Jane is graduating with an associate of science degree in kinesiology. She is transferring to Cal Poly Pomona on a volleyball scholarship and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology. She aspires to become a physical therapist and high school volleyball coach.
“I am most passionate about being the best version of myself that I can be,” she said. “Coming from a troubled background, losing my mother at a young age, I have an internal drive to succeed and make the most out of my life.”
Please tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? What is your story?
I grew up in Portland, Oregon, and attended Woodrow Wilson High School there. I moved down to Southern California after high school by myself in order to start a life here and attend Cypress College, as well as play volleyball and beach volleyball for the school. I spend my time balancing school, collegiate athletics, and work at Angel Stadium.
Why did you choose Cypress College?
I chose Cypress College because of the exceptional academic opportunities that the school has for kinesiology students, as well as the success of the volleyball team in previous years and a desire to join the team and work with the coaching staff here.
What have you been involved in at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
I have been involved in two sports here at the school: volleyball and beach volleyball. It took me two years to get my degree in kinesiology here at Cypress, so my semester course loads were heavy, and I spent countless hours in the LRC, but it was all worth it.
What are you most passionate about? Why?
I am most passionate about being the best version of myself that I can be. Coming from a troubled background, losing my mother at a young age, I have an internal drive to succeed and make the most out of my life. I also have a strong passion for athletics and all kinds of sports, as I feel the most at home in a sports-like atmosphere.
Who are the faculty and staff that have helped you get where you are today?
The faculty here at Cypress that have helped me substantially along the way are of course my coaches: Nancy Welliver, Nicky Cannon, and Chris Gomez. I also would like to acknowledge Jeff Cutkomp for his unwavering support and class schedule guidance, and Dana Bedard for all of his help.
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
I plan on attending Cal Poly Pomona to study exercise physiology and earn a bachelor’s degree. Once I complete my time there, I want to one day work as a physical therapist and high school volleyball coach.
What are your long-term goals? What do you aspire to?
My long-term goals are to one day be a physical therapist, ideally for a professional sports team, as well as coach women’s volleyball. I would love to travel the world, live a healthy lifestyle, and most importantly: be happy.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of how I spent my time here at Cypress, earning my degree in two years with a solid GPA while trying to figure out how life goes away from home, on my own, and at the same time playing two collegiate sports and working in order to support myself.
What one bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
If I were to give advice to current and future Cypress students, I would just do my best to inspire them to work their hardest and work to be the best versions of themselves, always. Particularly when things get tough and it feels like there is no point or no direction to your life, there undoubtedly is, but you just have to work hard in order to find it.