Emma Garrett
Mason City, Iowa
Class of 2025
Why did you choose Central?
I chose Central originally because there was an opportunity to play soccer, and the other schools I was looking at were not as intentional about reaching out and making a personal connection with me as a potential player. Also, I wanted to go to a small school, I love the recognizing the faces and names of people I am walking past on the way to class. At a bigger school, there would be people who I wouldn’t even know existed, but at Central I know the faces I walk by, and I get to be connected to them in some way.
Favorite professor and why?
Dr. Kate Nesbit, she was the first English professor I had and her bubbly energy and welcoming heart were so comforting to scared freshman Emma. She is also my advisor and is quick to make herself available and is incredibly helpful with planning schedules, bouncing off paper ideas, and be a general encouragement to me as a person and student.
You’re majoring in English because?
I am double majoring in English with a writing emphasis and communication studies. My hope is to pursue a career in journalism or something that involves a lot of writing. Growing up one of my favorite things to do was read, and as I grew older that love for reading developed into a love for getting into the nitty-gritty of a novel, and in the process open my eyes to a world of perspectives I didn’t know existed. I also grew to love writing, and I appreciate the challenge of figuring out how to articulate the arguments in my head. As for communications, it seemed like a good pairing for English, and the communications faculty is amazing!
Besides athletics, what else are you involved in on campus?
I am an alto two in the A Capella Choir and I also am involved in Campus Ministries. Both groups have provided sweet community and opportunity to travel and grow! Before going to college I was in a difficult season of life, and God provided so many blessings in soccer, choir, and Campus Ministries as soon as I got to campus. Some of my favorite Central memories have been made with these groups, and some of my favorite Central people I met through these groups as well. Although my schedule always remains busy, it is so worth it, God has been so faithful to me!
Who are your go-to musical artists?
Noah Kahan and Chris Renzema. Chris Renzema is like the Christian version of Noah Kahan, and they both play a lot of acoustic stuff, which is my favorite. I could listen to acoustic/chill music ALL DAY. I’m actually listening to Noah Kahan right now!
How has attending Central and playing a sport impacted your life?
Attending Central and playing soccer has impacted my faith the most. As I mentioned earlier, I was in a tough season of life before I got to Central, and God provided so many blessings and reminded me of His perfect plan for me through my involvement in soccer and just being on campus. Also, I have grown so much in humility, especially being on the soccer team. It was a weird transition from high school to college soccer, and I struggled a lot with it originally. This past year I was able to embrace the role I was planted in and through that God really humbled me and showed me what it was to choose joy daily. Aside from soccer, it has been a joy to learn how to be unashamed of the Gospel and proclaiming Jesus as my Savior. God has given me many opportunities to be a vessel of His grace and to just be a reflection of Him, whether it be at practice, in the classroom, between classes, and a lot more. The people I have met at Central are people I will cherish forever, they have been the best part of my Central experience
Who is your favorite player on the U.S. Women’s National Team?
Becky Sauerbrunn, She always holds herself well, and her maturity as a player and person is apparent in how she leads her team. She is a calming presence in the back, and reminds me a lot of my sister Gretchen, who I played soccer with up until I graduated high school. Gretchen was always playing defense and I was always up top, and we would do a little handshake every time I scored. Sauerbrunn reminds me of Gretchen just by the way they both play in the back, they are both assertive and aggressive, but they are smart about it.
What is your favorite Central College tradition?
My favorite is Breakfast of Champions!! I love me some donuts and orange juice poured by the one and only Matt Diehl. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and if I got to choose, I would eat breakfast food of various kinds for every meal. Avocado toast? Yes. Pancakes? Most definitely. Breakfast sandwiches? I will be there.
Favorite knock knock joke?
Person 1: Knock knock
Person 2: Who’s there?
Person 1: Control freak!
Person 2: Co-
Person 1: Okay now you say control freak who
What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
Coffee, 1000000%. My excuse for the money I spend is coffee is a great chance to hang out with your people, it is a good study drink, it gives you energy, and it is SO GOOD. I have never regretted time spent with myself or someone else and a cup of coffee, even if my wallet may regret the dent made by my purchases. In case anyone was wondering my go-to order is an iced Sweet Georgia Brown (honey and brown sugar) or a hot white chocolate mocha J.
Favorite TV Show
Criminal Minds all the way, it is one of the few shows I have watched all the way through. Usually, I get bored with shows and stop watching, but Criminal Minds kept me entertained the entire way through.
What’s it like to play for Coach Kobylinski?
It is a different experience every day, but it is always a goofy time and there is always laughter on at practice, on and off the pitch.
What’s your favorite part about being a member of the Central women’s soccer team?
My favorite thing is my teammates. We are all so different but when we are put together, we always have a good time. We also have a lot of unique laughs on the team, and that always adds a little chaos to the picture. We can get deep and be goofy within the same conversation, and we care about each other’s wellbeing outside of soccer. It is a great support system and I know that all of those girls have my back and that we are a team on and off the field.
What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?
I hope to be married and working a job that allows me to be present with my family and gives me opportunities to serve and love others as Christ does. Occupationally, I don’t have a clear direction right now, but my future degrees will hopefully open a lot of different doors for me.
Favorite food from Central Market
At breakfast they sometimes have fried potato rounds, I don’t remember what they are called exactly but those are so good every time. Sometimes I will take a disposable bowl, put some of the potatoes in there, get a little ketchup, and take it as a snack to go.
Bucket list
I just went to Colorado with the A Cappella choir this past May and we went to Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a blast, we tried to go on a 10-mile hike but I had to stop a little over halfway because there was still snow on the ground and it was going up to my hips! I had an amazing time, and the views were incredible. It’s the first national park I’ve ever been to, and I think I’m going to add “visit all of the USA’s National Parks” to the bucket list.
