Meredith Alarcio-Caldon '14 Recruiting Profile

I have a dream regarding my career in discus but I believe it's more important to know why I am the way I am and why I am competitive and love sports.  It runs in my blood.  I was 13 years old when I legally changed my last name.  Many assume that my mom has the same last name as me, she doesn’t.  Some assume that because I have my mom’s maiden name and my dad’s last name, that my parents are divorced, they aren’t.  So why would I have a different last name than both of my parents?  The answer that I struggled to put in words until now, “Because I’m proud.”  I am the proud granddaughter of a charming and gentle Hispanic woman and an admirable and strong Filipino man.  If you take one look at me, you would never guess my multicultural background.    

I have his freckles, and I’m proud.  He was a dedicated family man and farmer with a very heavy Filipino accent that was often hard for others to understand, but I never had a problem understanding him, and that made me proud.  I get my competitive attitude from him; endless rounds of checkers and he won every time and every time, he would brag, I was eight years old.  I have him to thank for teaching me to have a competitive edge at such a young age.  I have gotten far in my athletic competitions for being so competitive.  The man, who was not ashamed to outplay his eight-year-old granddaughter, makes me proud.

I have her smile, and I’m proud.  She married the Filipino farmer when she was 14 years old, he was 30 years her senior; a story that some might hide, but they made it 52 wonderful years, and that makes me proud.  She always tried to help and she would do anything for her family.  She always put others first.  I work to follow her example.  I try to help people and be there for my friends and family the way she always was.  Her legacy makes me proud. 

Out of respect, I asked my dad his opinion and permission in changing my last name, adding my mom’s maiden name.  I could not explain to him why I had such a unique idea, at least for my age, but he understood.  He had known the couple for more than 25 years they were his parents.  Eight years since their passing and four years since my legal name change and I am now able to answer everyone’s question, “Why did you change your last name?”  I am proud.  A simple answer to a somewhat complicated question, but that’s just it.  I’m proud to be part of the family that I am part of.  My grandparents played an important role in shaping who I am today. I cannot, nor do I ever want to, imagine how my life would have been without these wonderful people in my life.