Spotted on Campus With…Meghan Cicchi ’11

Meghan Cicchi ’11

Field hockey player and chemistry major Meghan Cicchi ’11 (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) sat down and talked about her future plans, studying in Italy, and the importance of teamwork.

What is your major and what do you like about your major?
I am a chemistry major. I have been leaning more toward continuing in the analytical direction. I was considering forensics, as well as maybe chemical analysis of artwork (such as looking at the aging process and any chemical reactions involved in that, age determination, analysis of the compounds used, etc.). I have to say though, I am taking biochemistry this semester and have been really enjoying it so far…so that is another direction to consider. Ultimately, I am still undecided until I explore my options further.

One class every Lafayette student should try to take is:
Music theory with Professor Skip Wilkins: It involves a lot of work, but if you are up for the challenge and enjoy music, it is one of the most interesting classes you will ever take.

What can you take from field hockey and incorporate into everyday life?
Teamwork and communication: being a part of a team teaches you how to work with a group of people effectively, as well as how to communicate with them in both high-pressure and relaxed situations. Another aspect I’ve been able to take away, even though I’m not perfect at it yet, is the ability to compartmentalize what I do. When I’m at school, I focus on my schoolwork and research, but when I head out to the locker room I have to switch gears and just focus on field hockey. If I don’t do that I am limiting my performance both in the classroom and on the field.

Best prank you or a teammate has pulled off:
When I was a freshman, Jackie DiSanti ’08 and Lauren Jones ’08 were putting together a pump-up video for the team during PLTs. Kelsey Andersen ’11 and I were rooming together. Lauren came in to film us preparing for the game the next day. We ended with turning the lights out to go to bed. When we turned them back on Jackie jumped out at us. Kelsey and I never saw it coming and we screamed our heads off! When they showed the video later, it turned out they came up with a bunch of different situations to get the same reaction out of other people….best video ever!!! It was hilarious to watch with the team!

One place in the world you want to visit and why?
I love traveling. If I had an opportunity to go anywhere, I would take it. Of the places that I have been though, I would absolutely love to go back to Italy. I guess it reminds me a bit of home — the climate and landscape is very similar to southern California — but it’s got the amazing art, architecture, and culture that comes from being around centuries longer than the United States. It creates a very interesting combination of what is familiar and yet different at the same time.

Your favorite television show as a kid:
I didn’t watched much television when I was younger. I was more into movies; Beauty and the Beast was my favorite. But up until I was 3 or 4, I used to have my mom put on Julia Child’s cooking show, and I would sit there for as long as she would let me and watch it. I guess Sesame Street wasn’t really my thing.