For Sheridan Blaha ’23, Lasell is a family affair. Her mother, Andrea Rando-Blaha, has served as director of nursing at Lasell Village since 2019. Her twin brother, Joey, is a senior majoring in sport management. Sheridan, who hails from Waltham, Massachusetts, has been an active member of the University community since transferring from Regis College after her freshman year. She starred at forward for the field hockey team in the fall, collecting 19 goals and 42 points; played guard on the basketball team in the winter; and is a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and the Health Professions Club. Over Thanksgiving break, she traveled to Northern Ireland with the exercise science program for a cultural learning experience.

Which of your many activities do you enjoy the most?
My favorite is playing for the field hockey team. It gives me the most joy. I love going to the practices and the games — and I even enjoy the conditioning runs. Field hockey has helped me surround myself with amazing people. I have made best friends and sisters for life.

How do you manage to find time for everything, particularly during the field hockey and basketball seasons?
It’s a challenge, but without as much to do I would probably be lazy, not get out of bed, and just watch Netflix. I think being so busy helps me with my schoolwork and managing my time, and gives me more opportunities to see my friends. I’m doing everything I love, so it’s easy.

Why did you choose to major in exercise science?
I am an athlete at heart and can’t imagine my life without sports, so whether I go into physical therapy or exercise physiology, I will be working with athletes. I really enjoy helping people, too, so in addition to supporting them in any way possible, I will have that extra connection to what they are going through because of my experiences as an athlete.

What does the Lasell community mean to you?
The community is what makes Lasell so special. The University is small, but I prefer being here to a larger school. At Lasell, I can build relationships with my professors, my classmates, and my peers. Just before our conference tournament game in the fall, field hockey alumni reached out to us with a good luck message. That doesn’t happen everywhere. I know this community will be with me for life.

How has Lasell helped you develop as an athlete and a person?
Before Lasell, I had my likes and dislikes, but I wasn’t passionate about anything serious and didn’t have a clear career path. Transferring to Lasell helped me find my passion. Fast forward to senior year, and I have a strong idea of what I want to do in my career. I have made best friends and accomplished so much. I’m the most me I’ve ever been. I’ve blossomed at Lasell because of the amazing people who are here to help me — my athletic directors, my coaches, my professors, my friends, and my family. I really found myself at Lasell.