This week's Freshman Feature focuses on Dare Maxwell, who tells us a little about her family and her life at Stanford.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I've lived in four states: Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and California. I was a jester in the Oklahoma City Ballet Nutcracker. I like art. Sims 3 was a huge phase in my life. I have two sisters and one brother. My youngest sister is a Level 10 gymnast at All Olympia in Los Angeles.
| Maxwell with fellow freshmen H. Hoffman |
Of what are you most proud?
I am most proud of getting into Stanford.
What has been the biggest surprise about Stanford?
I have been surprised by how many people are here to help and support me. I’m also amazed by how great and loving my dorm is!
What are you thinking of studying? What are your favorite classes so far?
I am not sure what I want to study yet, although I am interested in art and anything finance related. My favorite class is MythBuster because we learn something interesting every day.
What are some of your goals for this year – gymnastically, academically, socially, personally?
This year, I want to help Stanford women's gymnastics place in the Super Six at nationals. My goal is also to keep a high GPA and continue to advance my math skills. Socially, I would like to continue making as many friends as possible, especially in different classes.
Role model?
My friend Keara Glover is my role model. She is a gymnast on the
Arkansas gymnastics team and had to have open heart surgery after her freshman year to remove an aneurysm. She had the choice to retire, but decided to push past her pain and fear of what would happen if she fell the wrong way. She competed the season after her surgery and keeps getting better on all her events.
| Maxwell on uneven bars |
Favorite book/movie?
The Firm, Shawshank Redemption, and The Sixth Sense.
Favorite food?
Frozen dark chocolate!
Anything else you want to tell us?
I almost built a small vehicle once! My pinky finger has not had any nerve control since I was 10 years old because I was pushed off a boat and hung on the door by my finger. And I trained at Texas Dreams for a while and lived with two host gymnasts and their families - University of Georgia gymnast alum Chelsea Davis and U.S. National Team member Nica Hults.