My Hometown
By Kayla Padilla
At sixteen, I sought to find a home away from home. At Penn, I found just that — even if it was 2,700 miles away from my actual one. On the Palestra floor, in the classrooms along Locust Walk (and on Zoom), and in the city of Philadelphia is where I blossomed into the student, basketball player, and person I hoped I would become as I dreamt of this opportunity as a young girl. Thank you to Coach McLaughlin and the entire coaching staff from top to bottom, my incredible teammates and sisters, past and present, and the broader Penn community for being the absolute best and empowering me to strive to be my best in return.
At twenty-one, nothing has changed. I still am seeking a home away from home as I pursue this grad year.
Going through this recruiting journey yet again has been reaffirming in more ways than I could have imagined. During my sophomore year, I questioned what would come of the Ivy League’s canceled season. Needless to say, the unknowns have revealed themselves in this new opportunity to continue my story at another institution. I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to the coaches and programs who showed interest during this period.
It just so happens that this time around, my new home is only 15 miles away from my actual one. Throughout this process, I not only wanted to find the best fit academically and athletically but to prioritize the relationships that came along with it. I could not imagine a more fulfilling way to close out my college career than to play at the legendary Galen Center alongside a talented team full of hoopers, repping a name with such rich history and tradition, and most especially, to look out into the crowd and see the village that has lifted me up since day one.
I want to thank my friends, family, and most notably, my parents, for riding with me every step of the way. To have felt your love and support so deeply during my time at Penn, I cannot imagine what it will be like to share this experience together in SoCal.
I am extremely excited and gratified to announce my commitment to the University of Southern California for my grad year.
Trojan family, I’m excited to get to work.
Fight on, Penn. Fight on, ‘SC.
And to the city that started it all — I’m coming home.
