“A student athlete’s job is so much more that what they can do in the ring or on the court.
Mackenzie exemplifies what it means to be a student athlete. She is a model sportsman and horseman in addition to being a diligent student. She is a hard and conscientious worker, always asking how she can help around the barn and ensuring the work that she does is completed with an acute attention to detail. She goes the extra mile, whether it is following coaching, doing no stirrup work, reviewing videos or completing extra workouts. She perpetually has a positive attitude and is a supportive teammate.
Mackenzie is coachable and trusts the process. She has been one of my favorite students to coach in my career because she comes to the barn hungry to improve every day and is always looking for ways to improve. She is the type of student that makes you enjoy coaching from her ability to absorb information, her passion for the sport and her appreciativeness for the team around her.
I have been fortunate to be a part of her journey and to watch her grow from a young rider just starting the age eq to a top finish at Gladstone. Her recent success at Gladstone was extra special knowing how she has helped develop that horse. When we purchased him for her, he had no experience in the equitation and was very green. She took the journey with him in stride, making sure she understood not only how to ride him in the moment but to help him develop into the role as well. Mackenzie adapted her riding to meet him where he needed her. She has taken those skills and applied them to every other horse since. This year when my horse was ready to step down from the bigger classes and learn how to take a junior around, there was no one else that I wanted to give him that first experience than Mackenzie. I know that she will exceed all expectations on a collegiate team as an athlete, a teammate, a student and representative of her school. She would be a valuable addition to any program.”
~ Madison Bradshaw, Duke University 2017, Pegasus Show Stable
“It is with strong conviction that I write this letter of recommendation for Mackenzie Greer -a rising senior at Newport Harbor High School (NHHS). I have had the pleasure of working with Mackenzie for three years, as her older brother blazed a trail at NHHS. Mackenzie is a gifted student and can positively impact any college campus in this multifaceted world. Further, she has supported our school through her involvement in clubs and activities that are offered to students- Mackenzie dove in headfirst and poured energy into the many aspects of school culture. Simply put, if you couple her passion for people with her academic performance, Mackenzie is a winner.
Mackenzie’s ability to be the beacon of ideas at our school has made her a pillar of the class of 2023, and she has become a transformative force on our campus. I would hate to think what school would be without her as in three short years she has played a significant role with our transformation to be a more inclusive, more tolerant, and more open-minded public institution within a divided contemporary society. Upon coming to our school Mackenzie quickly stepped in and stepped up with our new student leadership program, Link Crew. Link Crew has literally changed the culture of our school for the better, as upper grade level students are paired with incoming freshman. Mackenzie has played a vital role these past two years as a mentor, friend, and positive role model in a lot of students’ lives. Mackenzie has leaned into this role on campus and embraced the leadership responsibilities.
Mackenzie receives positive compliments from her peers and teachers alike about her dedication to give a voice to those who do not have one, and to be the champion for our marginalized student population. Our school has been impacted by festering social, political, and racial issues that were not addressed by our school in a productive manner. Mackenzie has faced issues head on by supporting the many clubs in a positive way, and helped raise over $325,000 for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in short order to support all their cancer research and treatment.
Mackenzie has also been involved with Tik Tok Club, Youth and Government, Surf Rider Club, Kindness Club, Blaze It Forward Club, and our Junior Mentor Program-she was paired with a CSI Investigator. As you can now imagine Mackenzie has led these clubs with passion, with heart, and has elevated the involvement even more on campus.
Mackenzie has the intelligence and capacity to also work effectively within educational ecosystems and understands how to dedicate herself to the most rigorous courses of study. Mackenzie has enrolled in classes that are the most demanding at our school, and she truly wants to continually learn and get better academically.
Further, she is not afraid of hard work. We have all enjoyed working with her for this very reason, and her contagious spirit has made all of us better educators along with her peers around her in class and outside of class.
Any college or university will benefit from the educational experiences Mackenzie can bring to school; it is without hesitation that I recommend Mackenzie Greer for a seat in your 2023 freshman class. Her character is remarkable, and you will find her wonderful to work with-she is the type of student you want at your school, and to lead the paradigm shift this next decade for your school community.”
~ Sean Boulton, Principal, Newport Harbor High School, Newport Beach, CA 92663, Phone (949) 515-6300
“From the time Mackenzie first started competing as a kid, to her last finals season as a junior, her outlook has been nothing short of exemplary. It is challenging to decide which of a long list are Mackenzie’s standout qualities, but in any realm, Mackenzie serves as a remarkable example to not only other equestrian individuals but to all young adults; athletes and students alike.
Mackenzie’s passion for the sport continuously allows her a positive, gracious, and caring attitude towards her competitors and her horses, as well as both the ability and willingness to put all other teammates before herself. Her drive to learn, understand, apply, and follow instruction to the smallest detail enables her to conquer anything she sets her mind to. Although this is an individual sport, having Mackenzie as part of our barn is an experience each and every one of us is incredibly grateful to have. She is constantly serving as a role model to all with her joy for horses, outstanding work ethic, tenacity, dependability, kindness, and compassion towards others. Throughout every moment of every day, Mackenzie strives to better herself and all that surround her, naturally possessing every favorable characteristic it takes to serve as an extraordinary member of any team. She is one of the best students I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”
~ Halie Robinson, Huntridge LLC, Santa Rosa Valley, CA
“Although I cannot speak to Mackenzie’s horseback riding abilities, I can speak to her outstanding moral character, exceptional drive, and work ethic. Mackenzie is self-motivated and sought out a program to help kick start her career, the Newport Harbor Career Mentor Program. I had the pleasure of serving as her mentor and I learned about how incredible of a person she is. Mackenzie’s passion for horses was apparent nearly as soon as I met her and I always looked forward to hearing about her many successes at her competitions.
Mackenzie volunteered to work with me at Costa Mesa Police Department and was eager to learn as much as she could about law enforcement. I got to witness her professionalism and poise on stressful crime scenes that often involved traumatic incidents. She has wonderful time management skills as she was able to juggle schoolwork, horse competitions, volunteering at the Costa Mesa Police Department, and various other commitments during the uncertain times associated with COVID-19. She also took the initiative to join Newport Beach Police Department as a police explorer, which is a huge commitment to her community.
Mackenzie has a strong moral compass and is extremely generous. Mackenzie will always be my favorite mentee and I look forward to watching her continued success as she enters college and thrives.”
~ Krystal Aleman, Associate Director of Police Services at California State University, San Bernardino