It’s an honour to be inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame, especially in the company of the other incredible members of the Class of 2005, as well as the many accomplished individuals that preceded us. I am in awe of the people I had the privilege of sharing my time at Harvard with and have consistently been inspired by them since the moment I stepped on campus. Growing up, I always wanted to go to Harvard. I will never forget the feeling I felt in High School, when I had the chance to visit the school and tour the campus, of how strongly I wanted this dream to come true, while simultaneously feeling it was next to impossible. The day I got my acceptance letter was one of the happiest days of my life.

As it turns out, everything I had dreamed my Harvard experience to be, paled in comparison to the incredible 4 years that I spent here. The people I met, the memories we shared, the opportunities I had, represented some of the best years of my life that I will cherish forever. I was 17 years old when I first stepped on campus, turning 18 a few months later. I was young, impressionable and naïve. If I thrived, it was because of the people I was so blessed to be surrounded by, whose influence helped me strive to be the best version of myself.

I am forever grateful to Coach Stone, who recruited me, believed in me, challenged me, and above all else, fostered the incredible culture and family dynamic within the Harvard Hockey program. Coach Stone recruited people, not hockey players, and she helped us develop not just as athletes but as human beings. To this day, I speak regularly with my Harvard Hockey family, including women that I never played with, but who are still some of my dearest friends. The values that she impressed on us were so important to me at the time and still serve me today.

My Harvard Hockey family is comprised of some of the most incredible women I have ever had the chance to encounter, in my life (and I come from a family of strong and formidable women!) I remember my recruiting trip and how almost instantly, I felt at home with the team. As a freshman, I was so intimidated when I first got to Harvard, worried I wasn’t smart enough or talented enough to be there. I missed my family, and was adjusting to living so far away from them. Once I met my teammates, almost instantly, my fears and doubts subsided.

On the ice, my teammates pushed me to develop into a better hockey player, whether it was competing in practice or in the weight room, doing extra training, talking me through some slumps and ruts, and being the best hype squad during the high moments.

Off the ice, each person was brilliant in her own unique way. My teammates were also some of the funniest people I have ever met. I think fondly of our little inside jokes, the long bus trips back from road games, late night skates, our fine sessions, making any excuse to have a celebration, and the long list of ‘Stonerisms’ and other sayings that only we found funny. Beyond our time at Harvard, however, I am so blessed to have my teammates continue to be so actively in my life and I in theirs. I love that we can continue our friendships, and to share life with one another. It is a testament to this school and this Hockey Program and the wonderful community that it cultivates.

I had 4 incredible roommates at Harvard (and Sproulie). Living with Ashley, Kat, Kelly and Kate – (and Sproulie) was such a joy. I am so grateful for the laughter and support of each of you. I think fondly of our nights at the Kong, Monday nights watching 24, hosting team gatherings in our dorm, long lunches at Levs dining hall, and lazy days lounging in DHAs. You are all so special and the only thing better than the time we spent together is continuing to share a wonderful friendship with each of you today.

I am so blessed to have supportive family. My Uncle Rocky has been a mentor and supporter of me since I was young. I started working at his law firm at the age of 16 and he inspired me to be a lawyer. He was a big reason I could go to Harvard, My Aunt Adrianna was with me on the first weekend I moved into my freshman dorm, and came out to visit several times a year thereafter. Their visits to Boston to watch me play were always so memorable, and everyone on the team always knew when they were in town, by the group of loud Italians dressed in all black, screaming every time I touched the puck.

My sister Jennifer was my hero growing up. She was a perfect student, incredible athlete, popular at school. She set a high bar for me and our brother Joseph. I wanted to be like her in so many ways (which is why I would always steal her clothes without telling her). She inspired me when I was young and still inspires me to this day with the woman she is.

My brother Joseph has always been my best friend. Growing up we did everything together (partially by choice, partially for the convenience of our mother). His unconditional support meant everything to me. We shot pucks together, worked out together, played hockey together and always looked out for one another. Even now, though we live on other sides of the country, nothing has changed, and it means so much to that love and support, no matter how far apart we are.

Most of all, I am forever grateful for my incredible parents. Everything I’ve been able to achieve has been the direct result of the support, sacrifice, (tough) love and guidance of Nick and Mary Jo Corriero. I was taught by them, from a very young age, that I could do anything and be anything, so long as I was prepared to put in the necessary work. I was entitled to nothing, but capable of earning anything. I look back at the countless times this was reinforced by them over my life and am overwhelmed with gratitude to them for this.

My mother was, and is, the rock of our family and the engine that propels all of us forward. When I was 10 years old, my mom bought me a Harvard T-Shirt, and put the idea in my head that maybe I could go to this school. Many people around me told me that I wasn’t smart enough, that I had no chance of getting in. My mother never let me believe those people. Instead she pushed me to challenge myself academically and get the best grades I could.

My dad instilled the values of hard work and the power of persistence. He put plywood up over the walls in the basement and set up a mini shooting range so we could shoot pucks every morning (including Christmas morning). He would practice with me for hours on end, even after a long day at work. If I told him about a goal of mine that to most, seemed unreachable, he would sit down with me and help me figure out what I could best do to achieve that goal.

As an adult, I have even a greater appreciation for what my parents had to do to allow me to live my dreams. Mom and Dad, thank you for all you have done, and all you continue to do, for me and for all of your children. Words cannot describe how much I love you both and how thankful I am for you.

For the rest of my life I will always think fondly of the years I spent here at Harvard and the people I had the chance to spend it with. It means so much to me to be included in the HVC Hall of Fame Class of 2020, and to have the chance to spend some time with and express my gratitude to the people that helped shape not only those four years, but the person I am today. I am humbled by the honour and grateful to everyone who was such a large part in making it happen. Thank you to the Harvard Varsity Club, including Bob and Taryn, for ensuring we had an in person event and not some lame zoom ceremony, and for being so forgiving with your due dates for this essay. Most of all, thank you for giving all of us old washed up athletes a chance to relive our glory days with the people we love.