DRIVEN by a dual passion and boosted by a massive support system, Nelson Mandela University graduate, Ashleigh Vaughan, has reaped the rewards of diligent work ethics in academics and sport.
This month the 24-year-old Madibaz Sport water polo star and Tokyo Olympian graduated with a degree in pharmacy, to complement her sporting achievements.
A burning desire to succeed helped her navigate a four-year journey riddled with challenges and obstacles.
“My dad was a doctor and my elder sister is a qualified pharmacist, so I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field,” she said.
She followed in her big sister’s footsteps to start a juggling act that would eventually lead to success – cum laude on both counts.
Vaughan, who is currently interning at Berea Pharmacy in East London, confessed that there were hectic times as she tried to balance the demands of her degree with sporting trips.
“I will never forget when I returned from the Czech Republic after participating in the European Union Nations tournament and I had a test to complete at the same time I had to go through passport control.”
She ended up doing the test on her laptop while queuing and trying to get through security.
“I passed the test and was stoked that I managed to do so in such a difficult situation.”
Vaughan acknowledged the roles of both the university’s pharmacy department and Madibaz Sport in her success. Her water polo manager, Melinda Goosen, helped set meetings with her lecturers and heads of department to discuss ways to complete assignments, tests and exams without having to sacrifice tournaments.
“I appreciate that support and how understanding they were,” said Vaughan.
Despite the difficulties, she would do it all over again.
“I had many challenges, the obvious one being not having enough time in the day to do everything I needed to do.
“Trying to keep up with such a hectic degree and a demanding sport was exhausting, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
– ISSUED BY FULL STOP
COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF MADIBAZ SPORT
