In fifth grade at Estabrook School, my teacher Mrs. Lee LeFave and the school librarian Mrs. Hildegarde Langille made me the editor/writer/photographer of the weekly "5th Grade Basketball Newspaper." It was -- along with being a captain of the one of the five teams -- the highest honor of my young life and in tandem served as a springboard for the two things I have always loved most: writing and leading athletic groups.
Soon enough, my son will join us outside the womb in what will undoubtedly be my greatest accomplishment. In these final days ahead of his arrival, here are a few of my greatest accomplishments, which shape who I am and who my son will be.
That which I am most proud of, was being named medman captain of the Great and Glorious Grey team during Camp Manitou Color War in 1993. Half of the camp, seemingly 100 boys of all ages, selected me (along with Brandon Guttman) for the important role of leading. I was honored then as I am now, and making it sweeter was our victory over hated but respected Maroon. Rushing into the lake beside our chief, Mike King, was perhaps the most exhilarating moment and greatest victory of my life. My experiences during summers at The 'Tou -- and 1993 in particular -- remain the most impactful and formative of my almost-40 years.
Leaping off the top of a 75-foot waterfall in Costa Rica into the pool below proved that mind of all else is possible. Prior to that day I'd never jumped off anything higher than the roof of Diamond Middle School, but working up from 30' to 40' and finally 75' was increasing heights and increasing my capacity to conquer and override the back-of-the-head voice that suggests that staying on the ground is the better idea. It was freeing, liberating and one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.
I always completed the Lexington High School boys soccer pre-season two-mile run in less than 12 minutes and 20 seconds. I never had to run it a second time. I never failed the test of fitness and will, which is a tremendous accomplishment, especially for someone who has never fancied running without a ball.
In 1995, perfect gentleman and Lexington Youth Soccer board member Anthony Galaitsis had the unusual and perhaps radical idea to put a 17-year-old boy in charge of a team of 13-year-old boys. With two back-line mates Bob St. Pierre and Junaid Malek serving as my assistants, we coached the Lexington Ajax to a successful season. Almost 30 years later I stepped onto a futsal court in Toronto as coach of the U.S. Youth Futsal U16 Girls National Team. Great accomplishments and even greater experiences.
I'm not sure how long The Ithacan has been around, but serving as Editor in Chief for three semesters in 1998-99 is one of my greatest accomplishments. Heck, being named to the post was an incredible accomplishment given that the other candidate was a) a nicer guy, b) a better student and c) had the support of the dean. For some reason the board selected me over my roommate Chuck Holliday, and the incredible guy took helm of photography for my entire tenure. Leading an outstanding staff for 18 months, representing the paper and school at six national conferences and producing an exceptional -- and award-winner -- product every week is certainly one of my greatest accomplishments.
For many years the Boston Latin School boys soccer team was mired on a rollercoaster of coaches, a litany of misbehavior and a dearth of success. Opponents won just by turning up. One of my greatest accomplishments is guiding the team to success, respectability and responsibility. In 2014 the squad qualified for the MIAA postseason for the first time in 30+ years and also earned the MIAA boys soccer sportsmanship award. In 2015 the team again returned to the postseason and in 2016 it won the Dual County League Small to raise the school's first-ever soccer banner.
The greatest little accomplishments are many: any player I have coached or any child I have taught for whom I helped defeat a challenge or cultivate a passion. Carly Edelstein and Hillary Savoy conquering long division .... Kelsie Saro mastering fractions and decimals ... Pat Neylon and A.J. Twogood arriving early and eagerly for school ... Quinn McIntyre and Sofia Girolimetti developing a love of futsal ... and so many others.
I am excited for my new greatest accomplishment, and all the great little accomplishments to come.
Third in a series about the upcoming birth of #lilmill
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