The 2024-2025 school year brought us strong leaders to St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in the classroom while learning, but especially on our sports fields and courts while we’re competing. Across seven fall sports, there were 18 seniors who decided to step up and lead their teams to victory throughout the season. There were plenty of ups, but despite all downs, our SSSAS captains showcased their true dedication to their team and to their school.
Below is a list of every senior leader and captain and their designated sport:
Field Hockey: Sophie Harding ‘25, Kate Kolton ‘25, and Carmyn Lee ‘25
Girls Soccer: Lydia Penkiunas ‘25, Jamie Hodgkinson ‘25, and Katy Hartell ‘25
Girls Tennis: Claire Hanley ‘25 and Ella Joshi ‘25
Volleyball: Farrah DeVaughn ‘25 and Madison McDowell ‘25
Boys Soccer: Ben Fenton ‘25, Garret Lian ‘25, and Simon Rebstock ‘25
Football: Will Evans ‘25, Loui Goin ‘25, and Kaz Penkinuas ‘25
Cross Country: Karina Constandy ‘25 and Bart O’Conner ‘25
Most of these Saints have been playing their fall sport ever since they were very young, especially many of our soccer athletes here at school. Lydia Penkiunas and Katy Hartell have both been playing for 13 years, and have been on the Saints soccer team for four years.
“My dad played soccer when he was growing up,” Katy explained, “so he definitely pushed me into playing it as well.”
Garret Lian has been playing for 12 years, and started playing for SSSAS in middle school. “I always stuck with it cause I loved it.”
Some athletes plan to play their sport at the collegiate level, like Loui Goin. “I am planning to continue playing football in college,” he stated. “It has always been a dream of mine to play football at the next level no matter what division.”
The knowledge that our seniors have gained and carried throughout their high school athletic career has helped them become great leaders on and off the field.
Ben Fenton said he wanted to lead his team to the best of his ability, and learning about his peers and building relationships with his teammates has been a really important aspect for him as a captain.
“I would say seeing people who have been captain before me has inspired me to continue the legacy,” Kate Kolton said to The Voice, “I wanted to continue to value the family on this team and to share that with the younger players.”
Claire Hanley also values the aspect of relationships; “I wanted to step up because I love leadership opportunities and wanted to lead my teammates in a sport that I have so much fun playing.”
“I enjoy spending time with my teammates and getting to know them,” Maddie Mcdowell noted, “It’s been interesting, but more fun than anything.”
Establishing relationships with teammates and captains teaches players how to show mutual respect for one another during games, practices, and pre game pep-talks. It also teaches players about proper communication, which experienced captains have demonstrated over the season.
Bart O’Conner expressed the need to guarantee that all of his teammates are on the same page, which is why communication is so important for him. “As a captain, you have to pay much more attention to the freshmen and sophomores to ensure that they are doing the right thing, and also making sure you set a good example for the rest of the team.”
Alternatively, Garret Lian has said some members of his team to be “down to themselves” and how in return they “have a bad attitude towards the team.” Trying to fix the attitude problem has been a challenge for him on Boy’s Varsity Soccer.
Lydia also touched on being a role model for the Girl’s Varsity Soccer team, saying that “you have to be a good example” and “for us (captains) we have to always be focused in trying to set expectations for our teammates.”
“We’re the ones that need to know what’s going on.” Jamie Hodgkinson began, “if people have questions about where they’re supposed to be or what colors they’re wearing that day, we have to make sure we know those answers.”
Carmyn Lee has felt more responsibility in being a captain than being a regular player on her field hockey team; “In the past, I’ve just felt like this is just how the season is going, but this year, I feel the need to do something about it.”
Although these challenges have been tough for our senior captains, most teams have come out stronger ending their fall season at SSSAS. Teammates have grown friendships and long lasting memories on the court, field, cross country trials, and even saying hi to one another in hallways and outside of school. Captains have learned valuable lessons from their sport that will bring them success in college and beyond.
“Soccer has definitely taught me how to lead people and to stay positive while doing so,” Simon Rebstock stated.
Sophie Harding said that Field Hockey has taught her the importance of being there for each other. “It’s important to maintain friendships no matter what else is happening.”
Will Evans’s advice for future Varsity Football captains is to “make most of all the little things” like team bonding activities and fun practices, and to not “just focus on the wins and losses.”
Ella Joshi’s advice is similar, saying players should just go for the leadership role being a captain has to offer; “There’s no real downside to becoming a captain. You get to interact with everyone and hang out with your teammates no matter where you are on the ladder, so it allows not only yourself but the rest of the team to have fun and enjoy the shared time together.”
