Some of my best memories of my time at Groton are from winter preseason, when the basketball team stays on campus for a few extra days during Thanksgiving break.
I was especially excited for preseason this year because I am finally a captain! This role means so very much to me because of the impact of both the soccer and basketball teams' captains during my freshman year. They were not only excellent role models and stellar athletes, but also kind, funny, upperclassmen who valued me and drew me into life on the Circle. I was, therefore, eagerly counting down the days until we finished our fall exams and the basketball team could finally spend some homework-free time together. This was my chance to be a role model—and a friend—for all the new players, just as my past captains were for me.
During the five days of preseason, we spent almost every minute together and there were a LOT of BeReal's. At every meal we all squished into one table in the Dining Hall that shouldn't be able to hold all twelve of us, but somehow did every time. We decorated gingerbread houses, which, to nobody's surprise, turned into a competition (my team won). At night, we stayed up much later than we should have watching scary movies and sneaking into each others' rooms to steal snacks. There was some remodeling of the dorm after I got so scared from watching Smile that I convinced my friend Grace to move her mattress onto the floor of my room so that I wouldn't have to sleep alone. The team got caught cutting the Circle (a big no-no) and was called out in Mr. Maqubela's first chapel talk of the winter term. What a way to start the season!
Needless to say, we had an amazing time on and off the court, and I am looking forward to spending my last two years at Groton with these girls. I only hope that I can inspire them to share my love for this team, for our family.