Issue link: http://latinschool.uberflip.com/i/246730
Softball Background: Girl's volleyball in the 2000s. In 1984, Tommy Mowatt '85 won Latin's first state titles in the long jump and triple jump. Over the last 30 years, numerous Latin graduates have gone on to play in college, and a handful have participated at the Olympic or professional level. As the school has grown, Latin's sports teams have become increasingly competitive, in some cases changing divisions and playing against larger schools. At the same time, the mission of the athletics program has continued to build on the value of developing "good character" that was first outlined in the '30s. The lower and middle school programs continue to evolve and grow, with a strong focus on sportsmanship and team spirit. The school is an active member of the Positive Coaching Alliance, a national organization that promotes sports as a positive, character-building experience; focuses on leadership skills through the Captain's Council; and sponsors a number of service and community outreach efforts each year. n "During a recent trip back home, I was sorting through some of my belongings and found a box on my shelf labeled 'DO NOT TOUCH.' It was a 'friendly' reminder to my mother (who is prone to moving things) not to disturb the contents of the box under any circumstance. While I had glanced in the box every so often, I actually hadn't dug through it since shortly after graduation in 2006. So with great anticipation, I opened it and was instantly flooded with pride. At the top of the box, protecting everything else, was our State Championship 2006 team photo. "To this day, I remember that season. From practices to games to our ridiculous sleepover and bus rides, it was a great few months. We were a unique group of girls who came together and accomplished, and there's no way we could have done that without our commitment to the team and desire to win. "Everyone's energy and fun-loving attitude brought our team together. I don't remember a bus ride or practice where I didn't laugh, whether it was Margaret dressing up her soccer ball for every occasion, Maynard singing at the top of her lungs or the look of complete confusion when Bower explained a new drill that then had to be re-explained by Kim (assistant coach Kim Geiser) as we were pretending to do it. "That year, we accomplished something great. As life pulls us every which way, we will always be connected by what we experienced that year. Nothing will ever change that." – Stephanie King '06, 2006 soccer team co-captain 68 L AT I N M AGAZINE