LFHS school shined its spotlight last week on all girls and women involved in sports. Both Scout Nation and S.A.L.T. (Student Athlete Leadership Team) led the second annual Celebrating National Women & Girls in Sports Day.
The event started with a “fireside chat” among four student athletes and LFHS alumna Ashley Dell. After tremendous success as a swimmer for University of Iowa, Dell has shifted from athlete to coach as she is now the Head Coach for the University of Illinois-Chicago Swim and Dive team for both men and women.
“Ashley Dell represents the very best of Lake Forest High School. Her journey, the decisions and sacrifices she has made, and the impact she continues to have on the young men and women she coaches embody our mission: to inspire a passion for learning, the insight to know oneself, and the courage to make a difference,” Said Alumni Relations Vice Chair Lesley Fisher.
Although Dell shared a lot of memorable moments and advice to students, she advocated for the importance of five sayings she wishes young athletes will implement.
“You don’t have to fit the mold to belong. Confidence is built after you act, not before. Failure is data not a definition. You don’t have to do it alone, find your people. Finally, your path doesn’t have to be linear to be valid,” said Dell.
Dell’s background at LFHS shows to all young athletes that it is possible to dream big and strive for bigger goals, even if it isn’t the easiest of paths.
“Students and staff alike were inspired by her story, and we can all learn from her experiences. We are so proud to have Ashley as an LFHS alum,” said Fisher.
After the assembly ended, all female athletes got the opportunity to do a clap out through the school. No matter the level of the team, all girls who have participated in sports were celebrated. Boys, teachers, coaches, and girls uninvolved in sports lined the hallways in support.
“Seeing such a large number of girls walking in the clap out is a very impactful image. I can not imagine how impressive it would be if all our female athletes joined us next year,” said field hockey and lacrosse coach Cat Catanzaro.
The clap out wrapped up in the competition gym where the female students took a group photo and embraced the attention they had received.
Later that evening, the girls varsity basketball team played at home against Libertyville. Not only were many students in attendance, but also young Lake Forest feeder basketball teams.
“It meant so much to see so many young girls watching and cheering us on. I definitely felt the impact of their support. It was such a fun night,” said varsity basketball captain Charlie Axus.
