Stories from the Sidelines
Azaria Kellough:
Azaria first began playing
with MetroLacrosse 6 years ago and has evolved not only into a team captain for
the Boston Bulldogs High School team, but also as a volunteer for MetroLacrosse
for 3 years. Azaria writes, “Some people
don’t really see African-Americans playing lacrosse, so I enjoy being a part of
changing that aspect of the game.”
Ernest Kellough:
Ernest began playing
with MetroLacrosse 7 years ago and has
continued his personal development by participating in the SummerBounce program, the Coaches
in Training program, and through volunteering with Metro. Ernest writes, “The
RESPECT acronym helped me out at a young age because it
kept me humble and showed me how to be a
team player.”
Rory O’Donnell:
Back in the day, I was once a sixth grader. It was the year I was to finally play lacrosse. I had been introduced
to the sport a few years back when my brother started playing. I don’t know how he was introduced to it, but I think
it involved a boys & girls club and pizza. From the first day of practice in sixth grade to being a varsity player,
I have only grown to love lacrosse more and more. Every practice is 2 hours when nothing else matters. I love lacrosse.
Through the end of this season and the next years of high school, I aspire to be more aggressive and confident while
playing and hopefully show the leadership that older players have shown to me to younger players to come.
Gloria Ramos:
Gloria started with
MetroLacrosse in 2002 as an East Boston Flyer and was soon recognized for her
contribution to the program: later that year, she won the annual PeaceMaker Award that
recognizes superior teamwork and sportsmanship. Gloria has also been a player
at SummerScores, a Mellon CityACCESS Teen Ambassador, a
camp counselor, a participant in the Coaches in Training program, and is now a
General Manager in the Coach Across America Program. Gloria writes, “Metro is
like a second family to me, it’s like a second home. I can go to Emily [Helm]
about anything, for school, for family. She is important to me and Metro is
too.”
Armelle Bernard:
I was introduced to MetroLacrosse in the sixth grade. I have been playing since then. I started off on Mattapan
Pride and now I play Varsity. The Boston Bulldogs is not only my team, but it’s also my second family. The staff and
the kids that I have me through MetroLacrosse have become very important to me. Lacrosse has taught me dedication and
determination, teamwork and RESPECT. I love MetroLacrosse and I will miss it dearly.
Deyscha Smith:
“I was the type of
kid who liked to stay inside all the time, watch TV, play video games now and
then, and read a book. I didn’t really like playing sports, and then I started
playing lacrosse and I was like ‘Hey, this is pretty cool. Being outside is pretty
cool.’ Definitely without Metro, I probably wouldn’t have played a sport. At
school (Academy of the Pacific Rim), they talk to you all the time about
teamwork but you never exactly get to experience teamwork until you either play
a sport or do a group thing. But definitely with MetroLacrosse, I’ve learned
that you can’t just do everything by yourself. You need the support of others
around, and you have to give other people support
to succeed.”
Romysaa Razzouk:
“I chose to do
lacrosse because I’ve never really done sports before, but I like running
around and shooting goals. I don’t really like soccer and other sports, but I
thought this would be perfect. I like MetroLacrosse because it’s really fun and it’s also educational at
the same time. I really want to thank my coaches because they teach me a lot
and I have a lot of fun with the team. I love playing lacrosse and my favorite
thing to do is shoot goals. I made a goal in my second game ever!”
.
