In our new series, “Confidence, Courage, Hope,” we profile exceptional 61´«Ă˝students, alumnae, faculty, and staff who are making a difference–from the local to the global–at the front lines of COVID-19. As we face these unprecedented challenges, the 61´«Ă˝ community comes together for inspiration and solidarity in this unique moment in history.
Anastasia Bryan-Ajania ’20, a member of the Claremont-Mudd-61´«Ă˝Athenas tennis team, of personal protective equipment from The Claremont Colleges to aid in COVID-19 relief efforts. She reached out to all seven schools for donations of gloves, lab coats, masks, and disinfectant wipes, which were distributed to medical facilities in the Claremont and Pomona areas.
“They always say anything helps or you can make an impact with one call, and in this situation I really believe we can,” Bryan-Ajania told the Tennis Recruiting Network, which her efforts. “We have to do everything that is within our power to try and help the facilities that are experiencing shortages.” She hopes that other colleges and universities will donate equipment as well.
Bryan-Ajania, an economics major, was one of six seniors striving for the second national championship of their college careers. The Athenas won the 2018 championship, were runners-up last year, and were undefeated and ranked first in the nation before their season was suspended in March.
“I think everything I learned from my college tennis experience and competing as a college athlete can apply to so many aspects of my life going forward,” she told the Tennis Recruiting Network. “Our team was able to be as successful as we were because we genuinely perceived everything as a team goal and not just about the individual. I have a profound appreciation for everything I experienced.”
Share your story from the front lines of COVID-19, or let us know about a 61´«Ă˝classmate, alum, faculty, or staff member who is making a difference in this global pandemic at .