Teenagers join high school sports teams for all different reasons: they want to be with their friends, they love the sport, they’re trying to better their college application, or they are trying to get into shape. Whatever the reason, when the season is over, the athlete is left with something to take away from the game, whether it is a valuable life lesson, a medal, a scholarship to a college, or a stronger bond with their teammates. Senior and Captain Sammy Mickens, a softball player, had the opinion, “Softball taught me what it means to be a teammate on and off the field, and how to get along with all sorts of people.” Not only did the sport leave her with the valuable lesson of communication and understanding of others, sports can bring an athlete closer to his or her family. Besides learning life skills, Sammy was fortunate enough to have her dad coach her and said, “Softball was what we bonded over and it helped us have a great relationship.” The memories seniors have when they leave their team are enough to last a lifetime.
The seniors have always passed on a message to their younger teammates as well, whether they realize it or not. When asked what she thought she left her fellow track members with, long distance runner, senior Dominica Carnuccio, answered, “I hope I left the younger runners with inspiration and a desire to achieve their goals. I hope they make as many wonderful memories as I did through the years.” Watching an upperclassmen perform constantly inspires the younger members to achieve what seniors have and gives them goals they can set, knowing they can reach them, as many seniors have before them.