Category Archives: Extracurriculars

Skating Through The Summer

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By: Trinity Nardelli ’28

My favorite activity I did this summer was playing hockey. Hockey in the summer is one of my favorite times to play as well since it’s more about having fun with friends but also it’s the time to get better and develop your play. Over the summer I did a lot of camps and tournaments with the Swanalonians, and my coach, who is super funny and his name is Ray, admitted to me that I was one of his favorite players. Which, I was pretty proud of because his opinion of me is very important. One of the camps I did with the Swans was around three days of working out and skating and then the last day we did a mini tournament in which one of my games led to a shootout which we won so that was a lot of fun. Also, at this camp there were a lot of college coaches that ran the practices from all around the country, there was the D1 Holy Cross coach and a bunch of other college coaches. It was a fun way to get noticed by colleges and see what their coaching styles would be like and what their expectations are. I sadly didn’t win any Swans tournaments this year but I had so much fun at the tournaments and with my teammates and saw a lot of people that I hadn’t seen in months. 

I went to this 5 day sleep away camp called Elite Hockey Camp that is ran at the New Hampton school with no technology. Everyone broke those rules though almost all of us had their phones, including me. But, I went to this camp last summer with my friend Caylee as well and it was so much fun so we went back again. The first two days always go by so slowly and they are the hottest and worst conditioning days, but me and her had so much fun and we bonded with everyone so well. We were all complaining about the conditioning and the hot sun the entire time but it was very worth it. This camp has helped me realize all of the work I really need to put in to keep getting better and the dedication hockey takes. I learned a lot of new conditioning techniques and nutrition ideas that I took home with me and am still following them and it has helped me a lot. How they said it up was that a bunch of girls were grouped onto a team like the Lightning, which I was on, and we would play New York the whole time. We had games every single night and on the last day we would have a “championship” game where all you got was bragging rights. We sadly didn’t win the championship game this year but also most of our team had to leave camp before the game because of the Beantown tournament. I had the two best counselors in my opinion and they were really relaxed and basically let us do whatever we wanted. When I left the camp I missed it for about a week, it was probably the most fun I had all summer.

I can’t forget about the Lumberjills! We didn’t have too many tournaments this summer and I couldn’t play in every single one since I was already committed with the Swans but it was definitely a lot of fun seeing my friends from Hebron during the summer and being able to still bond with them and not lose that connection with my team. It was also a very fun and good way to bring the new girls in and have them see what the team was like and create friendships before they came to Hebron. It was also great being able to meet Coach Carnes. She was a lot of fun during these tournaments and I even earned my new nickname “nugget” from one of our coaches who was a former NHL goalie. So now everyone calls me nugget which is fine with me it makes it a little more fun!

Hockey brings a lot of light into my life and this summer I had so much fun playing and seeing all my old friends and meeting new people. I am very grateful for the friendships I have made in hockey especially this summer and hockey means the world to me so I love that I have the privilege to play all year round, even in the summer.

The Unbreakable Spirit of Hebron Girls Basketball

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By: Natalie Lutalo ’26

The 2024-2025 girls basketball season held a unique promise: to breathe new life into Hebron girls basketball. After two challenging years that saw diminishing numbers and a pause on games, the program was eager to reclaim its former glory. This season wasn’t just about basketball; it was about setting the stage for a bright future on the court. With fresh faces and a renewed sense of determination, this season was all about new beginnings. The energy surrounding the team was tangible, as students, teachers, and the community rallied behind us. This team was a symbol of hope and a testament to the enduring spirit of Hebron Athletics. 

We stepped onto the court with a roster that could generously be described as “small”, especially when compared to the seasonal giants we knew we’d be facing. Yet, despite our size disadvantage, our ambitions were anything but small. We were fueled by a shared hope and a fierce, unyielding determination to prove heart and dedication could triumph over anything. Every time we stepped onto the court, we were a team dedicated to leaving it all out there, proving that even a small team can make a monumental impact – something this basketball season taught me firsthand. 

The primary goal wasn’t to chase victories or demand immediate greatness; it was about rebuilding hope and rediscovering the joy of the game. It was about creating a space where laughter echoed through the gym, where every practice was a chance to learn and grow, and where the scoreboard took a backseat to the bonds being forged and the memories being made. In the end, the 2024-2025 Hebron girls basketball season will be remembered not for its record, but for its heart. We may not have achieved instant success, but we accomplished something far more valuable: we reignited a spark, rebuilt a foundation, and reminded everyone that the spirit of the game always endures. And as the final buzzer sounded, one thing was clear: the spirit of Hebron girls basketball was alive and well, ready to soar to new heights in the years to come.

2024-2025 Hebron Boys Varsity Hockey Season Wrap Up

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By: Alex Vogel ’26

The 2024-2025 season for the boys varsity hockey team this winter was disappointing on paper. However, we did have a desire to surprise the New England hockey scene like no other team had. 

Adversity never stopped coming our way, as even before the season started, we had only twenty players and no confirmed coach. Then, we were down to nineteen players and a new coach. Then that coach bailed on us, and we were without a coach once again. But come late October, coach Matthew Lavallee–a former coach at the University of Southern Maine (DIII NCAA)–took the spot of head coach of Hebron’s boys varsity hockey team. With the cementing of our new coach and practices getting started in November, the entire school rallied behind the hockey team for the home opener versus NYA. We won that game 3-2, and a seed of hope was planted for the year as we all went home for Thanksgiving break, eager to start the rest of our season hot. 

But once we came back from Thanksgiving break, we struggled tremendously. The highlight by far, however, was our Brooks-Pingree tournament. 

By the end of the tournament, we were skating with just nine players. Keep in mind hockey has five players and a goalie out at all times! We had two goalies, just enough players for one full group, then another, but minus one player. Those were awful circumstances, and it was no surprise we lost those games. But I’ve never felt so proud walking off the ice before in my life because not only did I feel like I competed with pride, everyone else laid their hearts on the ice! But then came Christmas break, and we all had some time off from team practices. We all worked hard over break to stay in shape and get ready to grind out the rest of the season. Though coming back and going through a brutal losing streak was not fun…

Personally, I couldn’t stand it. It was one of the worst time periods I’ve had as a hockey player. But hindsight is 20/20, and looking back at that gargantuan losing streak, I can proudly say that I’m glad to have gone through that. We learned a lot about each other, ourselves, and found out how to handle the dumpster fires life throws at us. More importantly, I learned what works and doesn’t work for me, on and off the ice, when it comes to being a leader of a team that meant the world to me and still means the world to me now. And without coach Lavallee working tirelessly to keep us all in good spirits, meanwhile balancing recruitment for next year and working in admissions, Hebron Hockey would not be where it is today. 

The entire team, despite only winning five out of thirty-five games, can all agree that we grew, learned, and found out what means more than a team’s record: our family. At the end of the day, whether you’re a parent, student, player, coach, teacher, trainer, or even just a random spectator of Hebron’s numerous sports programs, you are a part of the Hebron Hockey family. And with all of this said, Hebron’s Hockey family is gearing up for one of the most exciting years in Hebron’s elaborate history, the 2025-2026 winter season.

Hebron Academy Ski Team Wrap 24-45

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By: Casidhe Madsen ’26

The 2024-2025 ski season was an incredible journey for the Hebron Academy Race team from the first runs at our new training space at Pleasant Mountain to the final championship races. All of the racers showed so much dedication, skill, and teamwork. This season was filled with intense competition, personal bests, and moments we will never forget. As we wrap up the season, we celebrate the hard work and achievements of every racer and look forward to getting even better times in the future.

For me, this was my second season on the Hebron Ski Team. We are coached by our very dedicated Ms. Stokes (AKA Swaggie). We spent long nights at Pleasant Mountain getting as much time in the gates as possible. While we would have liked to be in the gates more, things got in the way. From snow days to the whole team being sick, we pushed through. We shared so many laughs on the chairlift, to all the serious moments giving each other advice as we slipped the course. We had seven races, some combined with both Giant Slalom and regular Slalom. We ended our season right where we started it at Pleasant Mountain with our championship race. Jack Baratash ‘28 and Elizbeth Stokes ‘27 placed in the top five, and we had three athletes place in the top ten in NEPSACS overall season. I want to thank all the athletes who spent tiring nights putting all the effort in, and I want to thank our amazing coaches. 

Not Always About the Score

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By: Alex Ogagan ’27

This season probably has to be one of the weirdest seasons I’ve ever had. For starters, we didn’t win a single game, but even though we didn’t win a single game, I’m not angry or sad. I’ve kind of made peace with it. I feel like the reason I’m at peace with not winning any games is that it’s shown me that I just need to work harder, and everything isn’t going to go your way sometimes. During the season, there were many instances where I wanted to quit basketball, but every time I said I would quit, I never did it, and I always kept asking myself, “Why won’t you quit? Why do you constantly keep playing just to lose every time?” Then I figured it out. I couldn’t quit the game because I just loved it too much, and I was never going to stop loving it. Even if I told myself multiple times that I hated the game and I should quit, I would still be on the court because I just love it.

I always reflect on the game we had against Lee Academy because even though we got blown out, I had fun. I finished the game off with 5 points, 3 Rebounds, and 4 assists. Before the game, I was a little nervous because the last two games before that I did terribly, and then I started overthinking and worrying about the wrong things. Zander Daniels came up to me and just told me to relax. He then said, “You have so much game in you; you just gotta be confident and believe in your abilities and stop worrying what others think.” The game eventually started, and I was a little nervous, but I remembered what Zander told me, and from that point on till the end of the game, I was relaxed and I felt good. This was a rough season, but I wouldn’t erase it even if I was given the chance. I learned a lot from it.

About Radium Girls

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By: Alexandra Hounsell ’27

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            Initially going into the show Radium Girls I was worried that I was going to feel like I was a part of a completely different world. I had never done any type of theater since elementary school plays, and I was concerned  that I would feel out of place. Once I auditioned and worked with the group, however, I realized that I didn’t need to feel alone. For the months that I worked on the show I had most definitely grown. With the group, and with my personal courage and acting as well. One thing about the members of Radium Girls was that they ensured that the environment during rehearsals was always comfortable. I never was afraid to mess a line up, or ask questions. Whenever one of us was nervous or unsure, there was certainly no lack of comfort and kind advice, as well as compassion from Ms. Begin and Mx. Gmyrek. 

       One thing I learned this winter is that challenges that seem impossible rarely are impossible. Although it seems cliche, teamwork is definitely one of the most important aspects of theater. Turning from a reporter to a doctor with a button up coat, glasses, Files, and jars would not be possible without someone there to help me gather everything before running back out on stage. Nor would it be possible to do set changes and get into character without Ms. Begin helping me with the props. This experience goes for everyone in the show. Nothing compares to the feeling of show night when you can watch everyone’s hard work pay off. 

   One thing that no one amount of work can prepare you for, however, is the whirl of emotions that is closing night. Before you know it, the show is done. The curtains are closed, the audience has finished applause, and everyone is rushed back to change and discuss before going home. It is sad to know that the people you’ve worked with everyday after school will for the majority go separate paths and all of the lines you memorized you won’t run through again. All of the sets you’ve used will be put back, and the year will move on. Yet, it is nice to go home and know that everyone has worked so hard for a production, and people will remember it for years to come. 

     Thanks to Ms. Begin,  Mx. Gmyrek, and everyone in production for a great show, it was very enjoyable to be a part of. 

Hebron Girls Hockey Season Reflection

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By: Isa Fischer ’26

As we wrapped up our final hockey game of the season, I reflect on these past few months, our team, and the memories we’ve created together. We started this year off with two goalies and five players at school, only three of whom were here last year, and we gradually gained girls as we neared the beginning of hockey season, and even afterwards. We were a new team both to each other and to Hebron Academy. Most of us started this season barely knowing one another but, after working with each other day after day, both in the rink and out, to call any member of our team a stranger is about as far from the truth as it is possible to get. Each moment we shared brought our team closer together, whether it be singing in the locker room before games, being stranded outside the closed rink in the cold, or coach Dumais telling us “skibidi,” on multiple occasions. Throughout our whole season, injuries and sickness kept sweeping across our team, but, after every setback, we got back up and kept working hard. Everything we experienced together and each person on our team played an important role in creating a season to be proud of, even if the scoreboard didn’t always agree. This year was not easy, but working together, we were all able to improve so next year will be even better, go Jacks!

To our amazing captains, Belle and Kiera: we are all going to miss you so much, and we wish you both the best wherever you end up next year.

Through Shadows and Light: A Mental Health Series

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By Addie Lydon ’26

This project is super personal to me, it is a way to explore and share the messy, complicated emotions that come with mental health. Each photo tells a little story, capturing moments of struggle, hope, and everything in between. My goal is to create something real and relatable, something that makes people stop and feel seen, or maybe even understand themselves or someone else a little better.

Jeremy Lavoie’s Fall Music Wrapped

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By Jeremy Lavoie ’26

1: Linger by Royal Otis

I have been listening to “Linger”’s original version by The Cranberries for several years, but when this new cover by Royal Otis came out, I was shocked by how good it was. The singer’s voice is amazing and everything about the song resonates with me. I play this song an unhealthy amount of times throughout the day because the rhythm makes me want to jump up and down every time I hear it. Mr. Moiland can attest to this. He has probably heard this song from my speaker hundreds of times from his apartment. Thanks to me, it’s always stuck in his head and if you are reading this Sir, all we can do is let it linger 🙂  

2: Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus

This song has my heart. I know “Teenage Dirtbag” by heart and with reason. I’ll never forget those long rides where I would be listening to this song on repeat. Even though it isn’t on the soundtrack, I will always associate this song with the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, which is one of my favorite films. This is a feel-good song for me because of the relation to this movie.  The last verse of “Teenage Dirtbag” is the main reason that I love it so much. Go to minute 2:49 and thank me later.

3: Give Me Everything by Pitbull

Vibes.

4: Last Christmas by Wham

This is probably one of my favorite holiday songs ever. Whenever I start listening to “Last Christmas”, I know that Christmas is coming soon. I began listening to it once again a couple of weeks ago, and from then on, I have been in full Christmas mode. The rhythm is soothing and enjoyable and the backstory is a very relatable one for many. That is what makes it a top song for me. In the past week, this song has gained a starting job in my playlist and it will continue to be promoted up until Christmas. After the holidays, “Last Christmas” will unfortunately be demoted, but when I listen to it ten months later, it will still hit the same.

5: Break by Alex G

 I like “Break” for several reasons that I won’t dive into, but this song is a part of my daily routine. This is my number one comfort song. I will listen to it if I’m ever feeling down or sad because it makes me feel better about myself, just like hot soup when I have a cold. I discovered this song a year ago and since then it’s always been a starting player on my playlist. I hope that people reading this will go listen to “Break” and enjoy it just as much as I do.