Candela Sevilla Gutierrez envisioned herself in a small-town college where she could continue her studies and play tennis at a high level, which is exactly what she found in her four years at Fairmont State University. 

“Fairmont State gave me the opportunity to learn in many different ways, as a student, as an athlete, and as a person,” the senior from Silla, Valencia, Spain, stated.

When deciding to go to FSU, she noted how she felt that the institution was set apart from other schools she was being recruited by. Candela recounts choosing FSU because it checked all her boxes while searching for a university in the United States. “The teammates who contacted me before I came were very influential. The size of the university also caught my attention. Not too small, not too big. It’s ideal to be able to meet people and feel comfortable going to class and participating.”

Candela studies English and Spanish and has a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL). She will graduate this spring and feels her time at FSU has flown by. Candela plans to continue her education at West Virginia University with a master´s degree in TESOL, where she will also be a Spanish Teacher’s Assistant while studying.  

While at Fairmont State University, Candela has illustrated what it means to be an excellent student-athlete while being a part of the women’s tennis team. She has earned President’s List honors six times and Dean’s List once during her stint at FSU. She was also named to the ITA Scholar-Athlete Honors in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2021, she was inducted as a National Society of Leadership and Success member. She presented work at the West Virginia Undergraduate Literary Symposium and the Fairmont State Celebration of Student Scholarship.

Candela has had much success on the tennis court, where she has competed since she was just two years old. After a successful campaign in 2021, the Mountain East Conference coaches voted her to the Second Team All-MEC. 

She is incredibly grateful for her time on the women’s tennis team while at Fairmont State. She recounts some of her favorite memories, such as clinching an important regional win match over Edinboro this season and time spent on team trips in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Candela considers herself optimistic, even when things get tough on and off the court. She hopes to be remembered by her teammates for her encouraging and high-spirited personality. She strives to live by the message to “Never give up!”

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