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06/08/2020 12:00 AMNorth Haven girls’ lacrosse Head Coach Bernie Pellegrino said that his team believes in one motto: Always be committed and accountable. While the Indians couldn’t live that motto on the field this year due to COVID-19, the underclass athletes and the parents of the squad made sure that they let the seniors know how much they appreciate their contributions to the program.
On May 30, members of the girls’ lacrosse team got together at North Haven High School to hold a parade in honor of the team’s graduating seniors. This year’s senior class consists of captains Erika Holle and Callie Kessler, along with Christina DeAngelo, Madison Fredericks, Alyssa Konspore, and Kyla Kennealy. Teammates drove past the seniors twice and presented them with special gifts, such as embroidered team blankets. Everyone cheered for the seniors with music playing in the background as the decorated cars went by.
“It was definitely different. They made it as special as possible, and it’s definitely a memory I’ll never forget,” Holle said. “It’s such a hard situation, and the fact that they thought of doing something like this and did a senior parade, it was completely shocking. We showed up, and it was the best thing ever. Everyone was so cheerful and supportive. It was good to see everyone. We were together as a team. It was the thought that counted.”
Following the parade, North Haven’s athletes joined up for a group Zoom call. In that call, the team’s juniors introduced the seniors and gave speeches about them, followed by speeches from the coaches and then the seniors themselves. Coach Pellegrino wanted to make sure that all six athletes in his senior class understand how important they are.
“I don’t think history is going to talk about how we feel sorry for this class. History is going to say that this group of kids, this Class of 2020, is stronger than ever,” Pellegrino said. “They’re going to make a difference. They’ve gone through senior year and have had to endure like no other.”
Pellegrino was slated to begin his first year as North Haven’s head coach after having previously served as an assistant coach for several seasons. At the conclusion of every season, Pellegrino writes a letter to all of his players, thanking them for their efforts and encouraging them to keep striving for great things in all walks of life. It was especially emotional for Pellegrino to pen his annual letter to this year’s seniors. He said that every one of them made a significant impact on the team.
While it was upsetting for Holle to receive her final letter from Pellegrino without playing the season, she said that she isn’t going to think about the experiences that were lost when she reflects upon her time with the Indians. Instead, Holle will remember the connections that she made with her teammates and all of the wonderful memories that they shared.
Even before the senior celebration, Holle said that this year’s edition of the Indians always stuck together, no matter the circumstance. The team would do workout challenges, host Zoom calls, and share a group message just to check in on each other. When Holle gave her final speech as a North Haven athlete, she said that while she’s sad the seniors couldn’t have one last season together, she knows that the program is in great hands.
“We had such a close-kit team. Coach made sure of that,” said Holle. “Everyone was committed to a sport, everyone wanted to be there, and Coach Bernie really made that happen. I’ll never forget his desire to have everyone in such a positive environment.”
Pellegrino felt that the parade and subsequent Zoom call were a fun way to honor his senior athletes. The coach went on to thank the parents and returning players for organizing a celebration that proved how the North Haven girls’ lacrosse community always follows its motto.
“We are committed and accountable. We talk about it every day,” said Pellegrino. “It was an unforeseen circumstance this season, but we lived through our motto. Our kids stayed committed until the very end, and we stayed positive all the way until the last day. It didn’t surprise me. I knew they would react the way they did. They’re a tight-knit group and stayed that way all the way through the end. That’s our motto and, through a difficult a time, everyone held true with that.”