Aug. 8, 2008
Jamie Mera will enter the University of Missouri this fall along with 125 fellow freshman athletes who will be participating in 20 different sports. These athletes come to Mizzou from as close as St. Louis and Kansas City, and as far away as Poland and Israel. All come from vastly different backgrounds and all are joining one of the hottest athletic programs in the country.
Mera comes to Mizzou from Tampa, Florida. She is a very good tennis player. A five-star recruit, she won state in Florida her senior year. Upon watching her hit a tennis ball, you might naturally think being a good tennis player is the strongest aspect of her existence. You'd actually be wrong. While tennis is a very real aspect of her life, first and foremost, Mera is a student. And a top-notch one at that. Strong enough to have gotten into the Ivy Leagues. Strong enough to have gotten into Harvard. Jamie was #2 (salutatorian) of her graduating class of over 500 at Chamberlain High School last spring. At her high school graduation ceremony, she gave a moving speech entitled "Transitions" which focused heavily on one of her more motivational instructors. A moving experience for her and her classmates, she laughs now at how nerve-wracking it was.
"It was great standing up there in front of everyone and I'm sure it is something I'll never forget," says Mera.
Jamie intends to study broadcast journalism and like many before her, that career decision had a lot to leading her to Mizzou. The top journalism and communications program in the United States finds its home right on Mizzou's campus. This year, the Missouri College of Journalism is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Jamie intends to one day be a broadcast reporter back home in Florida.
"Journalism is such an exciting field and the program is unbelievable at Missouri," Mera said. "I only looked at strong Journalism schools coming out of high school. When I met with the professors and learned about the approach they take, the technologies I'd be learning, and depth of the program, I knew Missouri would help get me where I wanted to be professionally. The campus is beautiful. And I just loved the girls on the team. They were a riot and we had so much in common. It all just came together, and I'm excited!"
Mera joins a strong tennis team, as well as a strong group of students across the board. The Tigers first competition this fall will be the Mizzou Invitational which will begins Friday, September 12th at the Green Tennis Center.
