Our Wildwood, Volume 53

ALUMNI REFLECTION Our newest alumni share their experiences

More Than a Game Merrin Chapnick ‘25

I’VE PLAYED BASKETBALL, BEACH VOLLEYBALL, and indoor volleyball all four years of upper school— and over the past few seasons, I had the opportunity to step into leadership roles on the varsity teams for all three sports. What stood out across all of those experiences was the deep sense of camaraderie. Whether it was on the court or on the sand, Wildwood teams always felt like more than just groups of players—we felt like family. After every practice or game, win or lose, we’d end in a huddle with some version of: “Wildwood on 3, family on 6. 1, 2, 3 Wildwood. 4, 5, 6 family.” It was a simple ritual, but it reminded us who we were playing for—and that once you’re on the team, you’re part of something bigger. Being on a Wildwood team gives you friendships you’d never expect—with classmates, upperclassmen, underclassmen, and even coaches. Our volleyball coach, Reo Sorrentino, was known Where Team Becomes Family Jonah Spitz ‘25

AS I LOOK BACK ON MY TIME PLAYING SOCCER throughout middle and upper school, I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude—for the game, for my teammates, and for everything the sport has taught me. Soccer started as just a game I enjoyed, but over the years, it became so much more. It pushed me physically, challenged me mentally, and shaped me into the person I am today. On the field, I learned discipline and perseverance—how to keep going even when I’m tired, behind on the scoreboard, or frustrated with myself. I learned how to listen to feedback, work under pressure, and bounce back from failure. As a leader on my team, I learned that goals—it’s about showing up, staying positive, and lifting others up when they need it most. I learned how to communicate clearly, lead by example, and earn trust through action. And most importantly, as a teammate, I learned how powerful it is when people work together toward a common goal. Soccer taught me how to support others, accept different roles, and celebrate shared success. Those lessons go far beyond the field. As I move forward in life, I know these skills will stay with me. Soccer gave me more than a way to pass my time. It gave me resilience, leadership, and a deep appreciation for teamwork. And for that, I’ll always be thankful. To younger athletes I encourage you to enjoy the moments whether you’ve won or not, to be appreciative of these opportunities afforded us, and to think outside of yourselves when you can, because shared experience and helping others is gratifying and a great way to be. “” I LEARNED HOW TO LISTEN TO FEEDBACK, WORK UNDER PRESSURE, AND BOUNCE BACK FROM FAILURE. leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice or scoring the most

“” WILDWOOD TEAMS ALWAYS FELT LIKE MORE THAN JUST GROUPS OF PLAYERS—WE FELT LIKE FAMILY.

for sharing inspirational quotes—what we jokingly called “Reo quotes.” One of the last quotes Reo shared really hit home as we wrapped up our athletic careers: “Good players take care of themselves. Great players take care of others.”

That’s what it’s been like here. No matter how many losses we had or how many serves someone might have missed, there was always someone there to pick you up and have your back. At Wildwood, that’s what being an athlete means. It’s not just about how well you play—it’s about how well you support the people around you.

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