By Bella Welch ’26
As spring term comes to a close and Choate’s senior athletes prepare to hang up their well-worn jerseys, many of them have taken the opportunity to reflect on their high school athletic careers. With just three weeks remaining in the school year, these athletes have a limited time to cherish the fond memories of their sports and the relationships they have built over the years.
While participating on a high school varsity team in New England is a unique challenge, the experiences gained from being a part of these teams have left many players with several life lessons. Throughout many long seasons, Ellie Bissell ’24, a forward on the Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey Team, said, “I’ve definitely learned how to be versatile and adapt to different situations.” As Bissell reflected on her time with Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey, she expressed the importance of actively contributing to the team, even off the ice. “Even if you’re on the bench, you have to work with and support your team. I learned that people have different places and ways to be valuable, even if it’s not immediately obvious that they’re valuable,” Bissell said.
Additionally, Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey player Ryder Holloway ’24 found a strong mindset and relentless discipline are keys to success. “Controlling the controllable is my biggest takeaway from my time here, just because if you can’t control everything, control your ability to show up with your best every day,” Holloway said.
With the pressures of varsity-level sports, athletes have also found the importance of staying grounded and remaining flexible. Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse player Owen Guiney ’24 adapted to the rapid pace of the team by getting out of his comfort zone. “You have to get out, and you have to try to push yourself even if it’s hard,” Guiney said.
Sports teams at Choate are also known for their competitive spirit and dedication to supporting each other, where individual and team triumphs are moments commemorated, regardless of magnitude. As they reflect on their past seasons, many seniors have pointed out several pleasant memories they have made with their teams. For Bissell, celebrating her first Choate goal at the Taft School this past February was monumental. “I scored, and everyone on the team was pretty happy for me because that was the first point of my career [at Choate]. It was overall a very good experience,” Bissell said.
Meanwhile, an unforgettable moment for Holloway was beating Deerfield during the 2022-23 season with the Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey Team. “I think it makes it that much more special to be able to beat Deerfield on our home ice,” he said.
The time and dedication these athletes have contributed to their craft was an experience like no other, and the love and passion they have developed helped to shape the tight-knit culture of Choate sports, whether in the locker room, on the field, or throughout campus. “We all love our sport, and it’s just fun to spend every day with [teammates],” Guiney said.
As these players move on to the next chapter of their lives, their competitive mindset and love for their sport motivate many of them to continue playing. Bissell plans to continue staying connected to ice hockey by playing on a club team at Boston University. After Choate, Guiney also wishes to stay connected to his sport, whether playing club lacrosse or just picking up the stick occasionally. “I think even if I’m just playing wall ball or something, it just feels good to have a stick in my hand,” Guiney said.
Choate’s senior athletes have shown remarkable dedication, passion, and hard work towards their sports throughout their time here, creating lasting memories with teammates and learning valuable lessons. As they bid farewell to Choate, these student-athletes will carry with them experiences that have shaped who they are and lessons they can lean on in their future pursuits.
