Student Spotlight: Keira Lincoln

Keira Lincoln, Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho and Navajo, is a current student athlete at Central Wyoming College (CWC).  Keira is majoring in nursing and plays on the women’s basketball team.  She is proud to be from the Wind River Reservation and is proud to be attending college.  She explained, “The Wind River Reservation is one of the most overlooked communities, people hear about the crimes that are committed.  There is a lot going on in the community that people don’t know.  It’s a big deal to believe in the possibility of attending college and experience it.”  

The Reservation is home but I don’t want to live here forever.  I want to succeed in basketball and my academics.  I want to visit lots of places, including New York City.  I am friends with other college students who have lived in many different places and had amazing experiences. I am looking forward to being able to experience different places, atmospheres and ways of living.

Keira chose CWC for the great opportunities available here, especially in the nursing program and the basketball program.  It is hard to be a student-athlete but everyone has been supportive and caring.  In other schools students, particularly student athletes, may be expected to just do what they are supposed to do.  At CWC people actually ask how you are, that can mean a lot.  It is a blessing and is very uplifting when I can go to practice, do the best I can and see the team’s and my achievements.

When asked why she chose to study nursing, Keira shared, “I want to go into nursing because I am big on helping people.  Helping others completes me.  I have had health experiences and everyone I worked with during those times had one thing in common, they were caring people.  As I learn about my own health, I also learn about ways I can help others.  My goal is to earn my nursing degree, work as a nurse and get experience in the medical field.  I want to continue my studies to become a dermatologist.  I want to travel around the world to help others.  I want to help provide the type of medical care we have in the United States that is not available, now, in other countries.  I am looking forward to experiencing different cultures and environments.”

Keira shared about her connection with the sport of basketball.  “Lots of people in my community play basketball, it’s always there, when other things are not available.”  

She explained, “My Grandpa inspires me to play basketball, he was the best basketball player.  He inspires me to do my best, not by what he did with basketball, but what he didn’t do.”  Keira went on to explain that many community members turn to alcohol and substance use, for many reasons.  “Alcohol and substance use is prevalent on the Reservation, among all age groups.  I did not want to go down that path when I was young – basketball kept me away from it. Basketball kept me focused on my goals, helped me be disciplined, taught me how to live right.”  

She continued, “In this way, basketball has been a blessing to my family. Sports in general taught us to have goals and expectations. We all were pretty competitive. Especially me I wanted to be able to take it as far as I can but along the way it has taught me to stay consistent and focused. ”

Keira reports that she was nervous about attending college, her worries included not being able to hang out with old friends and missing out on activities or community events.  She admitted that at first she did not feel easy about being a college student.  The expectations and structure around classes, practice and studying were difficult to adjust to.  Then, she decided to focus on why she chose to attend college and participate in student athletics.  That focus helped her be more comfortable with the effort she puts into school and at practice, which helps her focus.  

“Being a student athlete has taught me that when you are attending college and are on a team, while there are some things you have to give up, you have to sacrifice time, it helps you to be focused, more clear minded to accomplish your goals.  When you start accomplishing goals, your confidence increases and you have the drive to accomplish even more.  Basketball at CWC has done that for me.  I don’t want to quit, I want to keep going.”

Keira shares this encouragement and advice with others.

1. College isn’t as bad as you may think.  I wasn’t sure about that.  I learned that you do need to take a different approach to school to be successful.  You can do that.  When you have the right mindset, you will put in the right effort to achieve your goals, whatever they are.  
2. Take good risks, it’s okay to try something new and different.  Yes, it may be scary at first but risks help us grow.  There are lots of people to help you work through the scary stuff.  If you don’t want to be stuck in the same place, it helps to grow.  

I didn’t think I would adapt to college but I did.  There are good people, professors, coaches, who will help you.

1. Be open-minded, try new things.  People may have higher expectations of you, as a student, especially a student-athlete, don’t let anyone or anything stop you from going for what you want.
2. Take the risk of getting your education, even when you think you can’t do it.  I wasn’t sure about going to college.  I am glad that I decided to try.  You never know what will happen if you don’t try and it can change your life for the better, just like it’s working for me.
3. My Mom tells me, “The Reservation is always going to be here.  It’s up to you to go for it, if you want to try something different.”  When you want something bad enough, 100% effort is worth it.

Other students provided insights into Keira, as a classmate, teammate and roommate.  They reported that Keira is inspiring to others, every day, just by the way she shows up – every day.  She is “inspiring, super kind, and is ambitious.  She gives everything at practice – runs fast, plays hard and is always reaching, working for more.  Keira helps others see that they can do better, encourages them to do the best they can, she is there for others, helps them to see what they can be and what they can do.

We are proud to have Keira as a CWC student-athlete and looking forward to continuing to work with her on this leg of her journey.