RaiderNet

Varsity softball celebrated their graduating seniors, Jada Ballard, Leia Abbott, Erin Waloven, and Camille Stevenson on Wednesday, May 15. To top off the amazing night, they beat their arch rival Oswego 6-3 with Ballard commenting that the team did an amazing job with everyone working together for the big win.

The underclassmen decorated the field with balloons, posters of each girl, and a banner of the entire team. The parents created banners of the girls with unique poses and one of the moms made home plate plaques for all of the seniors with the team signing each one. They also created goodie bags containing candy and Gatorade to give to each of the seniors along with beautiful red and white flowers.

At 4:30 p.m., the seniors gave speeches and were accompanied by their families for pictures. Waloven gave an emotional and moving speech saying it was a “special moment to be able to thank all the people who have helped me along the way.” Waloven also said that she thought the underclassmen did a great job decorating the field and making wonderful posters of all the seniors.

They also detailed the seniors' plans after high school. Ballard will be attending SUNY Oswego to study Criminal Justice, Abbott will be attending SUNY Poly to study Psychology, Waloven will be attending SUNY Plattsburgh to study communication sciences and disorders, and Stevenson will be attending University of Rochester to study Neuroscience.

The seniors then took a group photo in front of their banners that were hung up on the fence of the backstop. After winning a hard fought game against Oswego, the team ate cake and cookie cake with positive affirmations congratulating the seniors.

Abbott said after “seeing all the love and support” from family and friends she realized that softball was the sport for her and is grateful for all the laughs she has had with her team. She also loves that the team plays hard together and has fun at the same time.

Overall, it was a spectacular night and everyone did an amazing job to put everything together to celebrate the seniors.