Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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After graduation, Brightwell went to work for Senator Mark Warner as his staff assistant in Washington, D.C., an opportunity she had after she interned there during her fourth and fifth years as a student-athlete. After a year in D.C., Brightwell had the opportunity to work for the first lady of the Commonwealth, Dorothy McAluiff through the No Kid Hungry Campaign, a campaign to end child- hood hunger. "We work with schools across Vir- ginia to help their feeding programs in hopes to eliminate childhood hun- ger," Brightwell said. Brightwell credits her experience as a student-athlete for the success she is having in her career. "I think student-athletes do so well in the working world in part because of the things that are required of us as student-athletes, like being on time, helping teammates and being accountable," she noted. "You were pushed to do things we might not otherwise have done." And though her collegiate playing days are over, Brightwell has enjoyed every moment of following all of the great success the UVA women's golf team is currently having. "Following the team has been really fun and so much more relaxing than actually playing — I follow online all day long when they are playing!" she exclaimed. "I remember how much it meant to me when our alumnae would text us and encourage us, so I have continued to reach out to the girls." Brightwell's commitment to the team isn't just as a cheering alumna. She also has been giving back since she graduated. "The action of giving back means a lot," she said. "UVA has been such a great foundation to starting my life and I think it's important to put your money where it really has an impact. I want to make sure UVA knows how much it meant to me and that my coach knows what an impact she had on me."