Congratulations to this week’s Doors of the Week!
Boys Cross-Country: Quinn Clark ’28
This week’s DOTW for boys XC is Quinn Clark. Quinn has been a standout runner since arriving on campus last year, but this season he’s taken a clear and meaningful step forward as a trainer and racer. His efforts have positioned him extremely well, and he did a terrific job this past Saturday during the racing by outpacing his season opening raw time despite running on a considerably slower course. In addition, Quinn has been doing a standout job of taking the younger runners under his wing. Overall, we’re stoked for Quinn, and we’re stoked to have him on the team.
Girls Varsity Soccer: Sally Dance ‘29
Sally is recognized as this week’s girls varsity soccer Door of the Week. As a newcomer to the team, Sally has brought great energy, enthusiasm, work rate, grit and determination to all over the field. She’s demonstrated her team first mentality and versatility as a player transitioning between different positions seamlessly. Furthermore, she’s been a difference maker at winning balls in the midfield on the ground and in the air. This past week alone she’s been involved in helping the Big Green score whether it be by an assist or double assist. We look forward to watching Sally’s competitive drive lead her during her rookie campaign for the Big Green!
Boys JV Soccer: Isaac Shobola ’27
Isaac, a junior and returning player to this squad, has brought even more positivity, hard work, and team play this year. He has been vocal on the field, from the bench, and in the huddle. He is quick to applaud his teammates’ effort and smart passes, while also offering critical feedback at halftime. His steady and athletic play at the left wingback has shut down defenders and, when it’s time to attack, he has made quick turns and organized overlaps. Isaac is doing so much for us and proving that you don’t need to be a captain to be a vocal leader.
Girls Cross-Country: Nicole Lefavour ’27, Helena Kastka ’28, and Alia Marquardt ’27
This week, Girls’ Cross Country captains nominate Nicole, Helena, and Alia as Doors of the Week.
Nicole ran a stellar race on Avon’s challenging and hilly course, maintaining the leading position for DA throughout the entire race! Her excellent efforts helped to lead us to a win against both Miss Porter’s School and Berkshire. We are so lucky to have Nicole! She runs hard, never complains, keeps the goal in sight, and surprises us with her humble nature despite her strong athletic prowess!
Helena and Alia traveled all the way to Avon this past Saturday despite not being able to race. They helped with logistics, passing out bibs and getting the team organized, and showed their dedication, cheering from the side of the hill and even running up with us a little bit. We’re so grateful for their support and hope they get well soon! A job well done by Nicole, Alia and Helena this week on the girls XC team!
Boys Jr. B Soccer: Gregory Trapp ’29
The Quad Squad Door of the Week is Gregory Trapp. Greg embodies everything it means to be a team player. Always going above and beyond to help in any way he can. As one of his teammates said, “Greg should be the lifetime DOTW”. Greg shows up every day ready to work hard and give it his all, both on and off the field. We are lucky to have him on the team!
Girls Thirds Volleyball: Willa Anhalt ’28
Willa is a true model of consistency. Whether in practice on a Monday or a game on a Wednesday, she is always doing the little things right. She models what it looks like to communicate on the court, to hustle for every ball, and to shrug off a mistake and get ready for the next serve. More importantly, Willa is a source of optimism, support, and encouragement to her teammates. She makes it easier for everyone, including the coaches, to show up every day and work hard. Keep up the great work, Willa!
JV Field Hockey: Cece Cramer ’26
DAJVFH would like to nominate Cece Cramer as our DOTW. Cece was new to the game last year, but has quickly developed into one of our most trusted and skilled players. She is infectiously energetic and goofy, all without ever losing her cool under pressure. As a key defensive player for us, she never gives up on the play. We have seen her sprint 75 yards on recovery to prevent a breakaway and in the same game carry the ball all the way to our offensive circle, dribbling around a seemingly impossible obstacle course of defensive opponents. She is a dependable and consistent leader, and our personal DJ, supplying high quality playlists to lighten the mood at practice. We’re so lucky to have Cece on the team in her last two years at DA. We’ll miss her next year!
Boys Junior A Soccer: Jack LaRovere Abrams ’28
All those old sports clichés about a teammate who “plays the game the right way”—well, they all hold true for Jack. New to the soccer program and new to Deerfield, he has fit in perfectly from Day 1 of tryouts, committed to playing hard, getting better, supporting his teammates, and doing whatever the team needs. We’ve slotted him in on the back line, in with the midfielders, and up at striker. Wherever we put him, he’s brought tons of intensity and decision-making so sharp you can almost see the synapses in his brain firing. His contributions became impossible to ignore on Wednesday, when he scored the first and last goals of our 5-2 win over NMH. He’s going to be an important player as we work to stay undefeated this season, and his future in the program is bright!
JV Volleyball: Blake Coleman ’27
This week, we’re proud to recognize Blake Coleman ’27 as our Door of the Week. Blake returned to the court after several weeks out with an injury and made an immediate impact in our match against Williston. She played well in the opening set, contributing an early kill that helped set the tone in a 25–13 win. Her energy and steady presence were felt throughout the match. Blake brings spirit, positivity, and strength to every practice and game. Whether she’s taking a swing at the net or supporting from the sidelines, she lifts the team around her and leads with quiet confidence. We’re glad to have her back.
Varsity Football: Will Machnik ’26
The Varsity football team’s DOTW for this week is Will Machnik. Will continued his strong play on the defensive side of the ball. He provided a big spark with an interception and long return. Wills effort, leadership and production highlight why he is a great captain for the Big Green.
Varsity Volleyball: Aila Zeitlin ’29
DotW this week for varsity volleyball goes to Aila Zeitlin. Aila had an excellent showing on Wednesday vs Williston anchoring the Deerfield defense as libero. Aila is another member of DA’s new defensive core. In her short time on the team, she has solidified herself as one of the loudest and most enthusiastic players on the team. Whether she is on the bench or leading our defense, she always finds a way to help the team. She will be an important part to Deerfield’s success for the next 4 years.
Strength & Conditioning: Griffin Cepiel ;26 and Giacomo Chapman ’26
The strength and conditioning coaches nominate Griffin Cepiel and Giacomo Chapman for their tremendous job working the Girls Varsity soccer games over the past few home games, they were energetic, worked hard and helped keep the games pace of play up to standards!
Theater: Amani Magezi ‘29
Amani fast became a much loved company member of this Fall’s production, Blue Stockings. Intuitive, intelligent, articulate and reliable, Amani memorized his lines swiftly and has been able to find great nuance in the several characters he plays. Whenever we need more actors in a scene, Amani is always the first to volunteer and he does so with professionalism and vigor, lending detail to every scene he is in. We value his ensemble minded spirit and look forward to watching him grow as an actor throughout the years to come. Bravo Amani!
Music: “The Other Doors” – Kwasi Adu-Gyamfi ’26, Clementine Beanland ’26, Alyssa DeRosa ’28, Charles DeSorcy ’28, Jayden Gonzalez ’29, Alex Lopez Martinez ’29, Tim Wang ’27, Emily Xu ’28, and Janis Zempare ’26
“The Other Doors” went above and beyond by coming in on the Saturday of the long Fall weekend to perform as a supporting act in the Admissions Open House event that morning. They are the tightest and most reliable house band we’ve seen since it’s inception two years ago, and I’ve appreciated their willingness to come in for extra rehearsals and make the best possible music to enhance the joy of our school meetings and other events.