Seniors Amiyah Jones and Rylie Boynton have made important contributions to their respective teams this year. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment have had a strong impact on their teammates and the West Haven Athletics community.
When asked about their favorite memories from the season, Amiyah reflected, “I think that my favorite memory of being on the team was scoring the first goal of the season against Amity my freshman year. This was exciting because it solidified my spot on varsity and not only that, but it switched me from a defensive to an offensive player for the past three seasons.” Rylie shared her highlight from cheer season: “My favorite memory from this season was going away to cheer camp with the team.” Both memories show how meaningful moments, whether on the field or with teammates, shaped their seasons and created lasting experiences.
Regarding lessons learned from being a captain or leader, Amiyah said, “Something that I've learned from being captain this year is that not only do your words impact how your team does, but also the effort that you put in and how far you’ll go without giving up. I realized that when I'm down or when I'm unmotivated it puts the rest of my team down. Even the little things like not running as hard can make a huge impact.” Rylie added her perspective: “Something I learned is that there is a time where you can be friends with everyone, but you also have to learn to take charge and authority.” Both responses reflect the ways they grew as leaders and learned how their actions affect the team.
When reflecting on accomplishments off the field, Amiyah said, “Something that I am proud of off the field is mentoring and acting as a positive role model to younger athletes and my family.” Rylie shared her own achievements: “I am proud of all the volunteer work I put in with the Seahawks and being a straight-A student.” This is something she can attribute to her mother, as she says, “My mother has been my biggest inspiration and has made me the person I am today.” This shows how Rylie’s dedication to academics and leadership has been shaped by her family’s support.
Looking ahead, Amiyah plans to continue playing soccer in college and pursue her passion in arts through graphic design or marketing. Rylie plans to attend college to get her doctorate in physical therapy. Their next steps show how their experiences in athletics have prepared them for future goals and ambitions.
Amiyah and Rylie’s experiences at West Haven have shaped how they approach challenges and support those around them. The lessons they’ve learned through their leadership roles will guide them as they move forward into the next chapter of their academic and athletic journeys. Their determination and commitment set an example for those who follow.