Editor's Note: Leading up to Senior Night, Patriot Profiles will highlight the senior class with with each senior sharing a personal reflection about their time at Mason. Today, defensive specialist Ashley Mennes talks about her academic experience, the friendships she made with her teammates and like skills she learned being a student-athlete.
Previous Patriot Profile entries include: Pihla Jarvenpaa, Emily Konchan, Licie Leite, Mikala Wells, Sydney Fanoga (Part 1)

My four years at George Mason have flown by, and it feels like I was a freshmen just yesterday. I have made a lot of life time friends, learned a lot about myself, and earned an amazing education.

A highlight of my time at Mason was my academic experience. I am super fortunate to have had the academic career that I have. My professors have not only taught me about Kinesiology, but have mentored me throughout my time here. I believe that my academic department and the professors that teach in it are second-to-none. I can't thank them enough for the educational experience I have had. 

Being a student-athlete has taught me some important lessons about life including time management, teamwork, hard work and conflict resolution. I believe that all I have learned will allow me to excel in graduate school and as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. I am thankful to Mason Athletics for giving me these experiences that I otherwise would not have had. Although I am ready for the next chapter in my life, I will miss my fellow seniors - Jordan Glass, Kelly Schaller, Sydney Fanoga and [former Patriot] Mara Barkley - as well as the rest of my teammates that still have time as a Patriot.

Go Mason!