Field Hockey

by Harold Flickinger, Jr. ’07

Coaches know teams play better when they have bonded off the field or court. For Coach Bertie Landes, this means involving her team in service projects. For four years the object of the team’s service efforts has been the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children (SSVC). Established at the end of the Civil War, Scotland is a boarding school for 3rd through 12th grades located outside of Chambersburg.

The relationship between the field hockey team and Scotland started small. SSVC students are not permitted to leave the school at Halloween, so the administration encourages groups to sponsor porches (includes providing candy). Then the Scotland students, in their Halloween best, visit the different cottages and collecting treats. In 2004, the team sponsored two porches and interacted with the students while handing out candy. A few weeks later, the team set up the luminaries for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Megan Keener ’08 enjoys her introduction at game time. The sense of belonging is something she hopes to impart to the girls at Scotland through events and her role as assistant track coach.

While still maintaining the Halloween and tree lighting festivities each year, the players have become even more involved by serving as coaches for Scotland’s basketball and track teams including an elementary basketball program during the winter months.

In 2006, Taylor James ’10 and Natalie Faith ’09 coached the 4th grade basketball team, and Megan Keener ’08 is helping coach their track team.

“I called one of the athletes by his first name,” Megan recalled, “He looked at me with surprise and said, ‘You called my name and I’m not even in trouble!’ While I hope and trust we have become good role models for the Scotland kids, I know they are not the only ones benefiting from our partnership.”

“Just seeing the interaction between the players and the kids,” Coach Landes said, “is my favorite aspect of the project.

In 2006 a new project was born when Bertie and Scotland’s dean of students (and Bertie’s former assistant coach) Gail Schuyler came up with the idea of the N.B.A. – No Boys Allowed. This project is aimed at 7th and 8th grade girls. “This is a group which doesn’t receive much attention at Scotland,” Bertie explained, “and we felt our players could establish positive and meaningful relationships with these girls.”

The project has been in full swing this past academic year. As events are planned, Bertie and Gail make sure a positive aspect of importance to young teenage girls is part of the activity. One event brought the middle-schoolers to campus for a social followed by a presentation on the importance of who they are as individuals. The day ended watching Lady Raiders basketball, complete with refreshments provided by President Bill Ruud.

In early March there was Fun Night in the Scotland gym that also included success in the classroom. But the girls’ most favorite event was the Mary Kay night. As the Scotland girls applied make-up, the players offered advice that included the importance of positive self-images and relationships.

“It was great to see their reactions after they put on make-up,” said Natalie who enjoyed the session. “Some had never worn any type of make-up and I think they had a really good time while learning how to apply the products.”

Amanda Houser ’07, reflecting on the whole experience, said, “I had the opportunity to realize how much one person can mean to a child, especially a child who is not as fortunate as others.”

“As a head coach,” Bertie said, “I realize our field hockey team can develop a closer bond as a team by doing this community project. I also wanted to teach mentorship skills to our players. We are hoping to be positive role models along with teaching values which are important to be successful as women in our ever-changing society.”

With the start of the school year, Ship’s field hockey team will once again reach out to the students at Scotland, especially those girls in 7th and 8th grade as another year in the N.B.A. begins.

No Boys Allowed (N.B.A.) member, Brandy Flowers carefully applies make up at Mary Kay night that included information about self-image. Natalie Faith ’09, below, applies mascara for Azhya McKnight, another N.B.A. member. Lady Raider Kristen Miller ’08 is in the blue sweatshirt.