As told by Isaac Smith
UVU has a lot more than just your study programs. Hanging out on campus is also great. Try to make friends and enjoy the time there, because it’s a really good university.
Photo by August Miller
I knew I wanted to be a fencer when my dad put on a movie: “The Mask of Zorro.” I was like, “I want to do that!” Both of my parents have been my biggest support in fencing. My relationship with my father is really good. We are a lot alike. So they always say that I’m like my father and I think that’s beautiful. I would love to be like my father. He’s always working, he’s a hard worker. I’ve learned that from him.
My father is always there in the tournaments cheering for me.
I was having a hard time fencing in my hometown because I don’t live in a big city. So there are not a lot of fencers that can fence with you. Moving out to another city with more fencing, it was hard. So I contacted Julie Seals, a coach in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Right now, she is a coach for USA Fencing, but she’s also an athlete. She’s competing as a veteran. She won the world championships in Croatia in 2022, so she’s a big person in fencing.
I knew she had a small club, and I thought I could help her and coach the kids and everything. Going into a big city in the United States would be expensive. This was a really good option and a good opportunity. I asked her, “Hey, can I come to the club and fence with you?” And now I’m here in Utah because of fencing. So, I’m really grateful for all that I have here.
It makes me really happy to know I can help others in the club — practicing fencing for myself, but then being able to explain to the kids because I was a kid like them, and being able to explain to them how to fence — it is a big reward.
The hardest thing right now in fencing is my mind — like, it’s betraying me in the tournaments. I work really hard before my tournaments. But when I get there, it’s like your mind is telling you, “You can’t do it.” So you just don’t do it, even though you know you can do it. So I have to work more on it. If you’re good at moving your body and everything, that’s all right. But you need to be mentally tough. Your mind has to be tough, and you have to resist everything.
I had to go somewhere to study. I love studying. So, I did some research on the internet, and I saw Utah Valley University and all that they offer. It was cool to see all of what they have. It’s a big community. I love being at UVU because I belong to the international students, so I’ve met a lot of people — international students — and I think that’s amazing. I’ve met a lot of people from everywhere in the world. I’m studying art at UVU. It’s really great. I want to be a designer. So I’ve learned a lot in just one semester.
I would recommend all UVU students to, yes, study and everything. But UVU has a lot more than just your study programs. Hanging out on campus is also great. Try to make friends and enjoy the time there, because it’s a really good university.
Links:
UVU Art and Design
UVU International Student Services
Valkyrie Fencing Club
Valkyrie Fencing Club Instagram
