Olympic Fencer Mariel Zagunis Speaks To Students About Perserverance, Success
November 08, 2012
Olympic fencer Mariel Zagunis talked with students at the “Gender, Finance, and Power” lecture series, organized by Women’s Studies and TD Ameritade.
By Paul Pierre-Louis, the Diamondback
Twenty years ago, Mariel Zagunis was dragged along into a fencing gym after her older brother was inspired by watching a sword-fighting movie.
Little did she know that day would be her first step on a long road toward becoming one of the greatest fencers of all time.
Yesterday, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and U.S. Olympic flag bearer shared her story with about 60 students in Marie Mount Hall, and she encouraged members of the chiefly female audience to also pursue their dreams with preparation, perseverance and resolve.
The talk was part of the “Gender, Finance, and Power” lecture series, organized by the women’s studies department and TD Ameritade. Representatives from TD Ameritrade also spoke at the event, answering students’ questions regarding financial and career decision-making.
Zagunis said she was 10 years old when she approached her parents and proclaimed she would be an Olympic champion. In the years to come, she proved herself to be one of the best young fencers in the world, winning numerous international junior titles leading up the qualifying stages of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.