SI Swim, Big 12 Bring ‘Be You Women’s Empowerment Series’ to University of Cincinnati

Ellie Thumann, Christen Harper and Sixtine opened up about all things mental health.

SI Swimsuit stars Christen Harper, Ellie Thumann and Sixtine with University of Cincinnati students.Joe Fuqua

The University of Cincinnati campus was buzzing with activity on Thursday, Sept. 21, when the Big 12 and SI Swimsuit teamed up to bring the 2023 Big 12 Homecoming tour to southern Ohio. 

The “Be You Women’s Empowerment Series,” presented by Maybelline, is a unique, interactive experience that encourages young women to take charge of their mental health through panel discussions and various branded activations.

Festivities kicked off bright and early at 10 a.m., when students enjoyed activations throughout Nippert Stadium’s pavillion, including makeovers from Maybelline’s beauty bar, a professional headshot station and more.

Sixtine and Christen Harper with Bearcat students.

SI Staff

Guests were also given time to mingle with SI Swimsuit talent present, including 2023 rookies Ellie Thumann and Sixtine, as well as reigning co-Rookie of the Year Christen Harper.

Ellie Thumann at the beauty bar.

SI Staff

The Big 12’s “Women Igniting Change” panel began at 11 a.m., and featured a number of incredible individuals who advocated for mental health awareness by sharing their personal stories. The panel consisted of Enna Selmanovic, a former NCAA swimmer and current PhD candidate; track and field athlete Hannah Jackson; student body president Taylor Morgan; swimming and diving athlete Jessica Davis; and the University of Cincinnati’s head women’s basketball coach, Katrina Merriweather. The university’s deputy director of athletics, Maggie McKinley, served as the panel’s moderator.

Big 12 panel.

SI Staff

While several women shared insight regarding the importance of prioritizing mental health as a student-athlete, Merriweather provided a bit of a different perspective. She detailed the significance of surrounding herself with a team that she can depend on to further her mission of supporting the mental well-being of student athletes at the university.

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“The No. 1 thing for me is to hire the absolute best people I can, regardless of gender, regardless of race, regardless of backgrounds, religion, you name it,” she stated. “Just people who are student-athlete centered-focused. They wake up every day and they say, ‘What can I do today so that our student athletes have the best possible experience that they can have?’ ... It’s always about sustainability. What can you do to create this environment, that when you’re not present, it’s still just as strong as if you were standing there.”

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The discussion was followed by a separate SI Swimsuit panel composed of Thumann, Sixtine and Harper, which was moderated by Big 12 chief impact officer Jenn Hunter. The three women opened up about their struggles with mental health, discussed their career trajectories, shared how they’ve handled rejection and answered questions from an eager audience. They also spoke about the illusion of social media and how various platforms can sometimes be detrimental to one’s mental health.

Christen Harper, Ellie Thumann and Sixtine pose with students after their panel.  

Joe Fuqua

“A quote that I’ve always stuck by and what I’ve always been reminded of is, ‘Comparison is the thief of joy,’” Thumann admitted. “And I’ve really experienced that, because you could be anywhere in the world, doing the coolest thing, in the best outfit, hair and makeup and everything, and I then would sit there and maybe find a person or a situation to compare myself to, and then it’s like that joy is gone.”

Thumann noted that while she often falls victim to the comparison trap, she instead tries to perceive the wonderful qualities of those around her as inspiration, rather than through a competitive lens.

Christen Harper, Ellie Thumann and Sixtine.

Joe Fuqua

After a post-panel Q&A session, the models mingled with guests before taking to the University of Cincinnati’s football field for a quick photoshoot—decked out in spirited Bearcat merch, of course.

Christen Harper, Ellie Thumann and Sixtine.

SI Staff

The next stop along the 2023 Big 12 Homecoming tour is this Thursday, Sept. 28, at the University of Central Florida. Participating SI Swimsuit models include Camille Kostek and Olivia Ponton—don’t miss your chance to meet them and learn more about prioritizing your mental health from an additional roster of professionals.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!