Honoring Senior Athletes: A Special Afternoon
by Mike Davis, Ph.D.
Head of School
I’ve been to hundreds, if not thousands, of athletic events during my ten years at Colorado Academy, and I have always enjoyed the tradition of our CA Sports “Senior Days.”
Head of School
I’ve been to hundreds, if not thousands, of athletic events during my ten years at Colorado Academy, and I have always enjoyed the tradition of our CA Sports “Senior Days.”
These are presentations at a team’s last home game of the season during which graduating seniors – whether they play JV or Varsity – are celebrated for their participation and leadership. I’ve seen these many times and witnessed the emotion of parents as their daughters were honored. This year, I experienced the same event, but this time as my twin daughters were honored before their last Varsity Field Hockey game. If you have ever wondered why participating in team sports is a valuable learning experience, you need look no further than this wonderful CA tradition. The lessons of working with others and learning from others are many.
A word about my girls: one has played on varsity before; one was new to varsity this year. Both are active in the arts, in photography and choir, respectively. Both apply themselves in their academics. Both are committed volunteers with Horizons, Students H.O.P.E., and other clubs. Like so many other seniors, they have lived the mission of the school and have benefitted from CA’s emphasis on the education of the whole child. We see that among so many of our students – whether they are student-athletes, whether they take part in a choir concert, a dance recital, a play, an art gallery opening, or a community service event – one can see across so many disciplines the constant engagement of our students. They do us proud.
The final home Field Hockey game was thrilling. All of the women on the team played hard against a strong opponent. It was a tight match in the first half, with lots of back-and-forth. Tied 0-0 at the start of the second half, the team was relaxed, but you could feel a little tension in the stands. CA came out to dominate in the second half with the squad working well and controlling the field. The players’ athleticism and skill were on full display. We got a goal, which was tipped in by one of my girls – what a moment for this dad!! In the final minutes, the other team had a fast break and our goalie, Ellie Bauer, made an amazing full-body save. The clock wound down and the team won its last home game. It was special.
But, what made the whole day even better wasn’t the game; it was the ceremonies that took place before and after. Prior to the game, Director of Athletics Bill Hall read words that Coach Veronica Scott had composed about each of the seniors. The students received flowers, and the parents or friends came out to give them a hug and pose for photos. You could feel the support the students show for one another. And, it was great, as a parent, to hear about the coach’s perspective on each girl’s contributions.
A word about my girls: one has played on varsity before; one was new to varsity this year. Both are active in the arts, in photography and choir, respectively. Both apply themselves in their academics. Both are committed volunteers with Horizons, Students H.O.P.E., and other clubs. Like so many other seniors, they have lived the mission of the school and have benefitted from CA’s emphasis on the education of the whole child. We see that among so many of our students – whether they are student-athletes, whether they take part in a choir concert, a dance recital, a play, an art gallery opening, or a community service event – one can see across so many disciplines the constant engagement of our students. They do us proud.
The final home Field Hockey game was thrilling. All of the women on the team played hard against a strong opponent. It was a tight match in the first half, with lots of back-and-forth. Tied 0-0 at the start of the second half, the team was relaxed, but you could feel a little tension in the stands. CA came out to dominate in the second half with the squad working well and controlling the field. The players’ athleticism and skill were on full display. We got a goal, which was tipped in by one of my girls – what a moment for this dad!! In the final minutes, the other team had a fast break and our goalie, Ellie Bauer, made an amazing full-body save. The clock wound down and the team won its last home game. It was special.
But, what made the whole day even better wasn’t the game; it was the ceremonies that took place before and after. Prior to the game, Director of Athletics Bill Hall read words that Coach Veronica Scott had composed about each of the seniors. The students received flowers, and the parents or friends came out to give them a hug and pose for photos. You could feel the support the students show for one another. And, it was great, as a parent, to hear about the coach’s perspective on each girl’s contributions.
© 2023 Colorado Academy
