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cavalier sports APRIL 2021 9 getting to know Fourth-Year Lacrosse Midfielder Jackson Appelt I t is considered an honor to live in one of the University's presti- gious rooms on The Lawn, probably the most popular place for all UVA students to relax, study and play. Located in Thomas Jef- ferson's original buildings, the Academical Village's 54 single rooms are truly in the center of the University. Fourth-year Jackson Appelt of the men's lacrosse team is one of 54 residents this academic year to live on The Lawn. "As a child, I remember my father [Garth Appelt, '91] walking me through the Grounds, telling me stories of his time at UVA, on The Lawn and all the people he knew who had lived in these rooms over the last 200-plus years," Appelt said. "Consequently, living on The Lawn has been a dream of mine ever since I was little." Once Appelt enrolled at UVA in the fall of 2017, he brought that foundation and appreciation for the history of the school with him. "I love studying in the Rotunda," Appelt said. "I prefer to be there instead of the library. I always used to look out at the rooms and imagine what it would be like to live there. Now I get to look at the Rotunda from the opposite view of my room. When it is warm, I bring out a blanket, my standing desk, my chair, and I'll sit and I look at the Rotunda and I do my work." Being at a place like the University of Virginia, as well as being a collegiate student-athlete, Appelt is a part of something much bigger than himself. So while living on The Lawn is an earned honor for this academic year, his community involvement helped him earn the opportunity. Last summer, the One Love Foundation named him their Divi- sion I men's lacrosse Unsung Hero Award recipient for 2020, which highlights some of Appelt's community involvement. The One Love Foundation is dedicated to educating young people of the importance of healthy relationships in memory of former UVA women's lacrosse player Yeardley Love. "Being part of the UVA family nearly my entire life, I have been fortunate enough to follow the One Love Foundation ever since its inception," Appelt said. "Over the years, I have been so impressed, but even more so grateful, to have an organization like One Love, which brings such a sense of compassion, empowerment and connection to every community it visits around the University. I am incredibly humbled to help continue to honor Yeardley's legacy, as a pure, genu- ine soul who lived her life as a ray of light for all those around her, without seeking recognition or praise. "One of the things I have said frequently about this honor is how I do not really see this as an award and more as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to shed light on the issues plaguing the young- adult experience at an institution like UVA, from mental health to relationship violence and racial injustice. I was able to connect One Love with the UVA student health department, and they are doing an amazing job rolling out programming around the topic of healthy relationships and how to establish a better relationship culture." Appelt will graduate with a degree as an Echols Scholar with a minor in entrepreneurship. He plans to return to UVA next year and work on a master's degree in public health with an eye on attending medical school in a few years. In the meantime, he continues to enjoy winding down after a long day of classes and practice with one of the most scenic collegiate views in the nation. — Vincent Briedis Appelt was named the 2020 Division I men's lacrosse Unsung Hero Award recipient by the One Love Foundation, which is dedicated to educating young people of the importance of healthy relationships in memory of former UVA women's lacrosse player Yeardley Love. PHOTO COURTESY JACKSON APPELT