Congratulations to this week’s Doors of the Week!
Girls JV Squash: Meryl Gilbert ’27
Meryl Gilbert is the girls JV squash DOTW. She played as varsity’s #8 at home vs Choate and traveled to Westminster as JV’s #1. She played a great match against a more seasoned Choate varsity player and handily won her match against Westy’s #1 JV player.
JV Swimming: Yong Ding ’27
JV Swim would like to nominate Yong Ding for our DOTW. Yong is a rock for the JV Swim team! His steadiness, good spirit, sense of humor, and strength in the pool make him a valued swimmer and teammate. Despite it being only his second year on the team (and at Deerfield), he subtly leads by example every day. He regularly offers a “good thing” during team meeting and is always the first swimmer in the pool. He also tackles challenging practices and challenging meet lineups with grit and positivity. He’s one of our strongest swimmers this year and, due to his consistent efforts in the pool, is bound to improve substantially over the season. We are never stressed when Yong steps onto the blocks because of his no-nonsense unflappability and we are always excited to see him on the deck because of his generosity and affability. We’re so lucky to have him!
Boys Thirds Squash: Will Wichern ’27
This week, we’re celebrating Will for his unwavering grit and tenacity on the squash court. Whether it’s a hard-fought victory or a narrow defeat, Will consistently brings his all, often pushing matches to four or five games. His ability to stay composed under pressure and battle until the very last point exemplifies the Deerfield spirit. Win or lose, his opponents always walk off the court knowing they’ve faced a true competitor.
Drawing and Painting: Patrick Zhang ’26
Pastels on Paper
Varsity Wrestling: David Peirce ’25
Wrestling’s Door of the Week is David Peirce. We are in the toughest part of the season with many wrestlers either banged up or ill; all are certainly tired and it’s just the time of the season when intensity must increase. David has shown great leadership this week keeping morale high and leading by example. David has been toughing out both soreness and illness, but coaches had to kick him out of practice to rest as he didn’t want to let down the team. David is door of the week for his leadership, grit, and success on the mats. Congrats to David!
Theatre: Keoni Jones ’26
Keoni is the production stage manager of the winter theater co-curricular, Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl. Keoni leads the company with kindness and compassion. She respects the vulnerability and privacy of the rehearsal space. She is very organized, and she has an excellent eye for detail. She communicates with grace while incorporating the many technical aspects a production requires. Keoni is also training three new assistant stage managers during our rehearsal process. Keoni is a fastidious and fun; an incredible combination of work ethic and character. Her commitment to the theater program is inspiring and so helpful. Thank you, Keoni! Keep up the fantastic work!
Girls Varsity Swimming & Diving: Sophia Gao ’26
The Door of the Week for DAGVSD is Sophia Gao ’26. Sophia is a hardworking, competitive, and energetic athlete who gives her very best at every practice and competition. In addition to her talent and speed, Sophia is a kind and supportive teammate, both in and out of the pool. She is always the first to offer encouragement, bringing positivity and joy to those around her. Her teammates frequently praise her for the enthusiasm she brings each day. Sophia is a true team player, and we are lucky to have her. She earns this title for her kindness, genuine positivity, and fierce competitiveness. Keep up the great work, Sophia!
Boys JV Basketball : Sam Peake ’28
Sam Peake ’28 played every minute of Deerfield’s quadruple overtime victory against Cushing, scoring a career-high 10 points and delivering in critical moments. His baseline drives, clutch floater, and fast-break finish were key to the team’s success. Sam’s endurance, poise, and determination under pressure made him an essential part of this unforgettable win, earning him Door of the Week.
Girls Varsity hockey: Julia Tamul ’25
Deerfield Girls Hockey DOTW nomination goes to Julia Tamul ‘25. Julia has been a nonstop forechecking force for our team every single week. Her attention to detail and hard work during practices translates in games — especially this week after a beautiful snipe during our game versus Exeter. Last Saturday she pushed the puck with poise across the offensive slot and placed the puck perfectly into the top corner of Exeter’s net. Julia’s commitment to work hard in all three zones of the ice is a testament to her character as a caring, dedicated, and supportive teammate. She leads by example so well and does it so positively. Above all, Julia’s encouraging cheers during games, easy-going and light-hearted attitude in practices, and overall kind nature make her the epitome of a good teammate. Great work, Julia!
Boys JV Hockey: Avery Powers ’27
The Boys JV Hockey Door of the week goes to Avery Powers. This week the team has seen success twice (Andover 6-0 and Williston 4-1) and Avery has led the offensive charge with a three – goal week. His hard work, along with his linemates Grey Altemeyer, and Jack Vergamini, has led to a successful week and has helped elevate the overall play of his team. Avery’s quiet and determined work effort has been solid and the team appreciates his efforts. Keep up the good work Avery!
Girls Varsity Basketball: Charli Firestone ’26
This week, Girls Varsity Basketball nominates Charli Firestone ’26 for DOTW. We asked Charli to step her game up and help lead the team. She answered the call and has been an excellent model on how to push yourself to reach a new level during practice and games.
Girls Varsity Squash: Sophie Simonds ’26
Sophie Simonds has had an excellent start to the squash season, stepping up and into the top 7 as the team deals with some bumps and bruises. She played #7 this weekend against Choate for a home match with playoff consequences. Sophie played aggressively and never let down, beating her Choate opponent 3-0 and helping lock down a big team win. She brings 100% to practice every afternoon and her positive energy/leadership helps build an even stronger team.
Boys Varsity Hockey: Elliot Lennon ’26
Our DOTW is Elliot Lennon. Lenny played very well against KUA on Wednesday and has been working hard since the New Year to improve his fundamentals.
Boys Varsity Swimming & Diving: Leon Kong ’25
For Boys Varsity Swimming our DOTW is Leon Kong. In our past meet against Exeter, he broke a minute for the first time this season in the 100-Yard Breaststroke. The whole team was there cheering him on and the excitement of this moment created a lot of positive momentum for the team. Beyond this particular swim, Leon is a captain, and as a leader, he has championed hard work and good camaraderie as hallmarks for the swim program. It’s a privilege and honor to nominate him for this week’s DOTW!
Girls JV Basketball: Skylar Ricketts ’27
The Door of the Week for Girls JV Basketball is Skylar Ricketts ’27. As a younger returner to them team, Skylar has been a fantastic leader on the team this year. She is intentional about including everyone during practice and games, and brings a fantastic attitude to practice each day. One of the highlights of the season has been her theatrical calls of the “America” play. She is also an asset on the court. As one of our point guards, Skylar has been an integral part of each of our games and one of the highest point earners of the season. We are so glad to have Skylar on the team and cannot wait to see what the next 2.5 years hold for her at Deerfield.
JV Boys squash: Jason Xiang ’28
They call him “nonchalant Jason” and that he is. He is also a gritty competitor and a generous teammate. Wise beyond his years for a 9th grader, Jason plays with more deception and strategy than maybe everyone on the team. He has risen to #3 from #6 and his improvement is having a positive impact on the whole squad.