National Student Athlete Day: Kiana Rojas
Kiana Rojas
Kiana Rojas: Determined & Fearless
April 4, 2024
Freshman rookie athlete Kiana Rojas is making waves on the basketball court. The Hispanic Queens native is the first in her family to attend college, and she's determined to make the most of her time at Kingsborough Community College (KCC).
Her family wasn't on board with her decision to attend college at first, but they are now happy. Kiana feels the weight of their expectations, admitting, "There is a lot of pressure. But you know what? I can do it."
Initially recruited to play basketball at Queensborough Community College, Kiana decided on KCC after visiting the campus and meeting the coaches. "When I came to visit, it felt more like a family," Kiana explained. "I came to practices in the summer and got to know the coaches. They were very open, which sealed my choice."
She feels her journey at KCC has been "incredible" so far, thanks in large part to her teammates. "The girls, the coaches, how hard they push us—even though we had a loss not too long ago, we still kept it together as a family. We still push to bring home wins," she said.
Kiana's experiences haven’t been without challenges. Fighting for court time on a talented team has pushed her to want more for herself. "Every day I fight to keep my spot. I need to work harder," she explained. Time management has also been a struggle, as Kiana juggles basketball practice, school, work, and meetings with her ASAP advisor.
On the court, Kiana is fearless about playing defense. "Once I get to run defense against you, you're not getting past me," she said with pride. "That's my role on the team."
Kiana’s goal is to translate her passion for the game into a relevant career. "I hope to go on the coaching side and maybe go into physical education and build my own environment," she shared. "I want to help kids. When I was younger, I really didn't have anyone to give me that push." She's considering pursuing a graduate degree to further her goals.
To other incoming students, Kiana shares her thoughts: "After so many challenges that could come your way, just keep fighting and never give up. Everything happens for a reason. This journey is just beginning."
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