Natural sound of gym noises, whistle sound
Nadia Washington, reporter: Being the captain of a sports team is no small feat. From supporting and uplifting your teammates to improving your own game, taking the reins can sometimes feel intimidating. But these past fall and winter seasons, three student athletes have stepped up for the challenge.
Danny Aronsohn: “This is my third year on the boys varsity soccer team. Okay so since freshman year? Yes since freshman year.”
Nadia: This is Danny Aronsohn, junior co-captain of the varsity boys soccer team.
Danny: “I’ve been playing soccer ever since Little Kickers. So that dates back to preschool or nursery. Yeah I’ve been kicking a soccer ball for a long time.”
Nadia: For Danny, soccer has always been an important part of his life and being able to play on the Lab soccer team is something he thoroughly enjoys.
Danny: “My favorite part of playing on the lab soccer team is definitely the community. You definitely don’t get that in club, like the camaraderie of getting to go out to eat afterwards with your buddies. And just like being able to play with your lifelong friends is definitely a unique and special experience.”
Natural sound: tennis ball bouncing
Nadia: On the tennis courts this past fall, senior co-captain Paola Almeda enjoyed playing alongside her teammates in a close and supportive environment.
Paola Almeda: “I feel like the people on the team are such great people and so fun to be around. They’re the best part. Like getting close with them, especially this past year, I felt like our group was so close and so supportive of one another and we had such a fun time together. Yeah I think that’s my favorite part of being on the team.”
Nadia: Throughout the season, Paola had worked to promote this community through her captainship, which not only brought her new responsibilities but also new perspectives on her own development.
Paola: “I feel like being a captain has been huge for my confidence and leadership skills and also for my confidence in my own game. Being in that leader role is kinda something that is out of my comfort zone so that’s helped me develop a lot as a person and as a player.”
Natural sound: cheering and basketball bouncing
Nadia: In her final season of basketball, Alex Giles, senior co-captain of the varsity girls basketball team, has found a new motivation to uplift others through her captainship.
Alex Giles: “I’ve come to realise the impact that I have on others and I think that has enabled me to be able to motivate my teammates more and support them on and off. Even through times when I’m frustrated, I remind myself that my teammates look up to me and so I think being a captain has taught me that.”
Nadia: Looking up to your older teammates can inspire leadership in younger athletes and this was the case for Danny his freshmen year on the soccer team.
Dabby: “I’ve definitely got a lot dating back to freshman year of like being mentored by some of the older guys that are now obviously out of the program. So definitely just a lot of good memories of being welcomed in as a freshman. And then I’ve got a lot of good memories this year of being able to now as a junior being able to lead the team and play alongside some of my best friends for life.”
Nadia: These memories of Danny’s have shaped his high school experience for the better and helped him learn what it means to be a mentor and leader for his teammates through his captainship.
Danny: “I learned a lot of skills about who I am as a leader and I learned different ways to use my voice whether it’s me communicating to players off the field or whether it’s me being a leader by showing what I can do on the field.”
Nadia: But on and off the field skills are not the only benefit for captains.
Paola: “Being a student athlete is totally worth it. The friends that you make and the friends that you have are worth it.” Paola
Nadia: This is Nadia Washington reporting for the U-High Midway.
