Senior Spotlight: Camille Simmons, Fencing
4/24/2020
A four-year member of the Owls, Camille Simmons ended her career with a 96-66 record. Medically retiring after just two meets this season, Simmons represented the Owls at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional her sophomore year. The Bellaire, Texas native has posted four top-15 finishes in team play, and was named to the Athletics Director's Honor Roll last year. Simmons will graduate in May with a degree in media studies and production.
Owlsports.com caught up with Simmons as she finishes her final semester at Temple.
In the book of your life, what’s the title of the Temple chapter? "There's More to Life Than Fencing."
What’s the best part about being a member of the fencing team at Temple/what will you miss the most? The best part about being on the fencing team at Temple, other than all of the cool gear, was probably being able to accomplish something I've worked for since 3rd grade. I dedicated my life to the sport and it's rewarding to be able to say I was part of one of the top fencing programs in the country.
What is your favorite memory of being a student-athlete at Temple? I think my favorite memory would have to be a combination of many memories put together. I started at Temple only knowing my teammates and I am leaving Temple being able to say that I know at least one person from each team. Through the years I was able to meet many amazing people from different sports and different backgrounds. When I walk into Resnick, I say hi to someone in almost every row. These are friends who I never knew I needed, but am so thankful to have. The memories I have with them are memories I will keep with me forever.
If you could give advice to your freshman year self, what would it be? People make mistakes. You come to college at 18 and are still figuring out who you are. You WILL make mistakes, but what matters is how you grow and learn from those mistakes. Not everyone will be able to move on, but if you keep learning and growing as a person then that is all that matters in the end. Don't let those mistakes define you, even if others want to keep you down. When you leave college at the age of 22, you will have learned so many new things and so much about yourself. You are a completely different person from your 18 year old self.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope that I am working in the photography world in five years. Through my time at Temple, I have learned to love all college sports. I would love to be able to work in an athletic department as a photographer, or even maybe work with professional sports as a photographer.
I would like to thank the athletic training staff. No athlete's goal in their career is to be on a first name basis with each athletic trainer, but I am happy that it was this staff that I got to know so well. No matter what was going on in my life, each and every person in the room was able to help me out and makes me feel better. It was a bumpy road, filled with a lot of doctors appointments, and I would like to thank each athletic trainer at Temple who has ever helped me along the way. It is a long and thankless job that you guys do, but here is one thank you from the bottom of my heart.Camille Simmons, Temple Fencing Class of 2020
