By Matt Browning
Hutchinson Community College basketball player Kaia Smith sees both athletic and academic advantages from being a Blue Dragon.
“I wanted to go somewhere where I knew I would be pushed to work harder than everyone around me,” said Smith, about Hutch CC’s athletic department. “From an academic standpoint, I really enjoy how engaging the classes are. The people around are supportive and the community is very diverse. I knew I would enjoy taking classes here because I took some college classes through HCC while I was in high school and enjoyed them then. The teachers are also more than just teachers, they care about you as a person, ask you how you’re doing, and how sports are going for you.”
Smith said one of the best parts of being a part of a team is how unique individuals can come together to become a team.
“We are all very different people, but our love of basketball has quickly strengthened our relationships on and off the court,” Smith said. “We spend almost all of our time together, so I’m looking forward to many more good memories with them.”
If a student was interested in going to Hutchinson Community College, either for academics or athletics, Smith said those individuals should be ready to work.
“No one is handed anything here,” Smith said. “Everything is worked for and obtained by the driving force to win and better the people around you. I would tell them that there are many opportunities to learn new skills and meet some amazingly nice people here.”
