Dear Washington: Vanessa Millsaps
6/10/2022
Dear Washington…
A letter to UW from Washington Women's Soccer's Vanessa Millsaps.
Dear Washington,
I still have trouble wrapping my head around the fact that our journey is almost over. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was 15 years old, committing to the school of my dreams. That random trip to Seattle with mom in 2015, changed my life forever. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. We were meant to stumble across your campus on that beautiful summer day and I was meant to find my second home.
I was meant to find my second home.
As I look back on our time together, I cannot help but feel so grateful for being introduced to the people that will I will forever call my best friends, my sisters, and my brothers. You introduced me to coaches I will forever consider my mentors and role models. And you introduced me to professors that provided me support and guidance to be the professional I hope to become.
But not all of our experiences together were cherry blossoms. We went through some painful heartaches together that many would say were character-building and lessons in life. We suffered through three major injuries that resulted in two surgeries and two missed seasons. Then came COVID, which definitely affected our time together.
I loved every moment of this recovery process because I found a new passion and way of contributing to something bigger than just myself as an athlete.
But after every setback, there was a come-back. While rehabbing, you gave me an amazing opportunity to be a part of the Husky Leadership Academy, WSAAC board, and a NIL intern for our Athletic Department. Although suffering an ACL injury my junior year, it oddly became one of my most memorable years with you. I was able to contribute to my team and earn a leadership role in other ways. I became our team photographer and social media assistant. I promoted our games through media engagement, hype videos, and digital marketing. I loved every moment of this recovery process because I found a new passion and way of contributing to something bigger than just myself as an athlete.
As I continue to reflect, I value the wonderful memories we made each year. I will never forget the LEAP program. It built a foundation for school and the UW athletic culture. I made some incredible friends and memories that will leave a lasting impression on my overall experience with you. Remember the snowstorm of 2019? Being from Southern California, I felt like a kid seeing snow for the first time. I cannot begin to tell you the amount of times I have stopped what I was doing and just admired all the beauty. Whether I’m rushing to class, walking to practice, or eating at Conibear, I am always reminded of all the things that make you so special.
I will always be proud and honored to be a Husky.
Washington, you have my heart and I will always call you my home. Thank you for giving me the best memories of my life.
To our community and our fans, thank you for giving me an experience of a lifetime. I will always be proud and honored to be a Husky.
With love,
Vanessa Beatriz Millsaps #5