Former Roadrunner Kelly Stanton played a key role in the Roadrunner's first NJCAA Women's Tennis National Championship in 2012. She was an individual National Champion, All-American, and NJCAA First Team All-Region XIX performer. Stanton then helped the team repeat as champions in 2013 and repeated her individual honors. While on campus, Stanton also worked part-time in the college's "People in Transition" program, a program that made a lasting impact on her.
Stanton completed her education at Stockton University and then Drexel University and is now a Registered Nurse in the Virtua Hospital system where she is on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19.
Despite Kelly's busy schedule, she took a few minutes to answer some questions about her time as a Roadrunner and gave some advice for us all in the fight against COVID-19.
•Sport played: Women's Tennis
•Years: 2012 National Championship & 2013 National Championship
•Current employer: Virtua Hospital
•Title: BSN, RN
•College after GCC: Stockton University for Bachelors in Health Science and then Drexel University for Bachelors in Nursing.
Q: What made you want to work in health care field?
A: Tearing my ACL in high school really sparked my interest in health care. After my surgery and physical therapy, I was interested in learning more about the different areas in health care. I jumped around from the idea of Physical Therapist to Physician Assistant Studies with a focus in orthopedics (I even shadowed a Physician Assistant in orthopedics for awhile and really loved it) and nursing. After doing some research and realizing how many different areas of nursing there are, I decided to go back to school for my Bachelors in nursing.
Q: Favorite memory as Roadrunner student-athlete?
A: My favorite memory as a Roadrunner student-athlete was winning the 2012 National Championship with my team. Our practices were fun. We were always together. We worked hard and became a family. Being the first women's tennis team to bring home that championship title (and finally understanding what Coach Rowan meant by "being on the wall") was an unforgettable feeling.
Q: During time at RCSJ, who was a person or people who had an impact on you?
A: Jeanne LaBuz had a huge impact on me while I attended GCC. She hired me as a student worker for The Center for People in Transition, a program that helped displaced homemakers who were going through divorce, abuse, unemployment and other stressors, get back on their feet and feel great about themselves. I always looked up to Jeanne's loving and welcoming personality. I had the opportunity to help with career and computer workshops, clothing and food drives, and holiday drives. Being able to work along side Jeanne LaBuz and seeing how something as simple as a helping someone apply for a job or donating office clothing, to a woman who can't afford new clothes for a job interview, makes the biggest difference. Jeanne has a way of making everyone she meets feel good about themselves. She just really loves helping people and I strive to do that in my work now.
Q: What is something you do now to relieve stress?
A: Running and listening to some good music is my favorite stress reliever. When I have a rough shift at work or life just gets hard, going to the gym, putting my headphones on, and tuning out the world is what keeps me sane. That's my "me" time.
Q: Advice on how people can help in the fight against COVID-19?
A: The best advice I have to help fight against COVID-19 is to stay home. I know everyone says it, but it's the one way to really stop it from spreading. Just stay home and wash your hands. Staying home on your couch is a lot more comfortable than being intubated in the ICU.
We thank Kelly for everything she is doing to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic! Please follow her advice and work together so we can all get our lives back to normal as soon as possible.
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