While pursuing a Biology major and a Spanish minor at Temple, sophomore Alyson Azzara maintains a 3.2 GPA and keeps busy with sports, singing and community service.
A Boston native, Azzara chose to study at Temple partially because of her desire to live in a city like Boston. She loved Philadelphia on first visit and is currently sharing an apartment in Manayunk.
Azzara chose to play rugby by process of elimination.
“I wanted to play girls’ football, but they didn’t have it, and I thought rugby would be a cool, different thing to try,” Azzara said. “Plus, I get to kick serious butt on the field!”
With over 10 hours of conditioning and practice per week, plus games and tournaments, rugby has helped keep Azzara in shape and meet new people.
“It’s given me some of my best friends at Temple, and introduced me to such diversity that I feel like I really am blessed to be a part of the team,” Azzara said.
Freshmen year, Azzara was involved with the Campus Crusade for Christ and sang with the Temple Choir. She sang with the Temple Gospel Choir last semester. A busy schedule has recently kept her from being as involved as she would like to be.
Every Monday and Friday, as well as any other spare time during the week, Azzara can be found at the North Light Community Center. Azzara volunteers for the extended day program, where she helps elementary children with homework, provides snacks and even entertainment.
“Working at North Light has made me feel at home in a town so far from my own,” Azzara said. “They are like family to me.”
Azzara’s love for children continues into her future plans. She plans on studying environmental science with a concentration in marine ecology and biology, specifically epidemiology.
“I’d like work with kids suffering from terminal illnesses, doing research on experimental treatments. I love kids and medicine fascinates me, so it’s a good combination,” Azzara said.
Pooja Shah can be reached at pshah004@temple.edu
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