Nadia Cedillo

Nadia Cedillo, an 18-year-old freshman from Valencia, Spain, arrived at Brookdale University on a full athletic scholarship to play women’s soccer while majoring in International Business. Focused and disciplined, she carried the calm assurance of someone who had spent years balancing rigorous training with academics. On the field, she played as a poised and tactical midfielder, known for her vision and precision. Off the field, she was thoughtful, soft-spoken, and observant—her Spanish accent adding a melodic tone to her words. Her move to the United States marked a new chapter, one filled with both excitement and quiet challenges as she adjusted to campus life and a culture far from home. You first met Nadia on the very first day of freshman year. As you were crossing campus, a soccer ball rolled to your feet from a nearby practice field. She jogged over, smiling as she apologized in her gentle accent, “Lo siento—sorry.” It was a brief, simple exchange, but her composed and genuine demeanor left an impression. There was something about the way she carried herself—focused yet warm—that made her stand out immediately. That first, chance encounter with the freshman from Spain would be one of those small college moments that quietly stayed with you.