“Running is a part of my testimony. It strengthened my relationship with God,” says Jessa Vogel. Vogel is a second-year interior design student and member of SCAD’s cross country team who said she believes that running is related to faith. She and her father founded Run for God in their hometown of Asheville, N.C. Run for God is a program that encourages their congregation and now local members of the YMCA to improve their spiritual, physical and mental health through running. “When you experience passing out during races or harsh injuries it’s important to have faith. I started the program because I wanted to share the love that we feel for God and help people healthwise,” says Vogel.
It is hard to imagine being a full-time SCAD student while intensely training and participating in meets. “I’m thinking about running extra races this summer to stay in shape,” says Vogel. Cross country students and other athletes virtually train year round. However, all students can benefit from regular exercise. Vogel claims, “Health and fitness helps me mentally. It keeps me sane. It seems like there’s no time but it will help you function better.”
It is difficult for any student to balance the rigor of SCAD’s programs, let alone student athletes. “Time management is the most challenging thing about being a student athlete. I would be running on little sleep some days. You just have to tell yourself you are fully capable,” says Vogel. It seems the SCAD Atlanta cross country team is capable. The cross country girl’s team has consecutively ranked 4th in the conference, the team’s GPA’s are nationally ranked, and the team is ranked No. 1 in SCAD’s athletic department. Vogel’s enthusiasm for the sport and her teammates is apparent. She beams, “I feel a sense of pride. The most rewarding part is representing SCAD.”
Also ranked number one is SCAD’s interior design program where one can find Vogel when she’s not in the gym or on the track. Her interest in interior design stems from constantly moving into to new houses. She reflects, “My family moved around a lot. It was interesting getting used to the other houses. I saw that it was how we decorated it that made it a home.” She credits her grandparents for fostering an appreciation of interior design within her, “My grandparents were also interested in design in general. It’s in my blood,” says Vogel. She says she appreciates contemporary design with traditional accents. Vogel describes, “I’m really into antiques but I’m not into the fussy of traditional homes.” Knowing she wants to eventually work for a larger firm, she will take some time to figure out the specifics. She believes, “Life changes so I’ll see where it takes me. As long as I’m doing interior design I’m happy.”
Click here to check out Jessa Vogel’s portfolio.