Featured Senior: Shanna Keil

What was your most memorable moment throughout your career at Willamette?

In film, we watched Rachael Moulton smack a ball into Isabel Duxbury's face from four feet away, then watched Isabel get up and walk away like nothing happened.

Describe your feelings when you found out the athletic events were canceled for the remainder of the year.

I felt sad for the seniors who were unable to finish their final season of a sport that has undoubtedly been a huge part of their life and identity for as long as they can remember. Paying attention to each of my 'lasts' was an important step in how I dealt with soccer ending, and it's sad to think about how many people didn't get that opportunity to focus on and cherish every last moment.

How have you been handling life in quarantine? Are you home or on campus? What's it like learning online and not being around your teammates?

It might be callous to say, but I am enjoying quarantine. I live at my house in Salem and am with three of my teammates, so we always seem to find ways to have fun. Online learning is not what I expected from my last year at Willamette, and it's been an adjustment, but being around my friends has made these changes a lot easier.

What has your experience as a Bearcat taught you?

My experience has taught me that leadership and authority is not a title given to someone, it's actions that someone does to earn themselves respect.

If you could leave one piece of advice for future Bearcats, what would it be?

Try to do things that leave you without any regrets. You'll still have some, most likely, and that's okay, but see if you can make them small.

What are your future plans following graduation?

Good question!

From their teammates

What was your most memorable moment of Shanna?

Caroline Adams: When her and Gena dressed up as Ken, for sure.

Jackie Gilroy: Watching Shanna beat defenders 1-versus-1 with her pace. She is super fast, and she was a threat on our team.

What makes Shanna special?

Caroline Adams: Shanna is a beast, an incredible soccer player. She's also hilarious.

Jackie Gilroy: Shanna is very light-hearted and funny.

Is there anything Shanna brought to the program that will have a lasting impact?

Jordan Roue: Fireflies is a hype song and no one will ever convince me otherwise.

Caroline Adams: Everyone will always strive to have the speed that Shanna had on the field.