Maria Aguiluz is a first year Honors student-athlete from San Jose, Costa Rica, recruited to Monmouth for the bowling team. She is a Health Studies major. Mafe, as she is called, appreciates her professors and fellow students, and especially enjoys interacting with the rest of the staff here, including the dining hall and maintenance personnel. “I just love that everyone is always so kind and I just love getting to know them better. They are why Monmouth feels like home.” Her biggest challenge has been adapting to being so far from home. She misses her parents but credits her second family – her bowling team – with helping her feel supported and cared for.