Windham senior Jackson commits to Husson University to play field hockey

By Matt Pascarella

Windham senior Annie Jackson signed her letter of intent at Windham High School on Tuesday, May 30 to attend Husson University where she will major in occupational therapy and play field hockey.

Windham senior Annie Jackson, left, signs a letter of intent
as her mom, Stephanie Smart, looks on at Windham High
School on May 30. Jackson will attend Husson University
in Bangor while playing field hockey and majoring in
occupational therapy. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

Jackson would like to become an occupational therapist and will be part of a dual degree program which combines undergraduate and graduate classes into five years; this will help her get into her major quicker and allow Jackson to start her career sooner.

She first began playing field hockey in a sixth-grade summer clinic hosted by varsity field hockey coach Cory DiDonato. Afterward Jackson found a community with the other girls through field hockey.

“She works so hard and leads by example – her teammates can look to her,” said DiDonato. “She was a tremendous leader for us, my go-to; she didn’t crack under any pressure and there was quite a bit of pressure this season. She shines the brightest when she’s challenged.”

In the off season, Jackson spends a lot of time working on improving. For Jackson, practicing on her own and playing travel field hockey has helped her elevate her skills.

She’s wanted to play at the college level since seventh grade and it felt great for Jackson to sign her letter of intent.

Jackson said it’s taken a lot of hard work to get to this point. She’s built up a lot of her strength and confidence in her abilities and in her academics over the years.

“Annie’s a great teammate,” said Windham senior Emma Casale. “She’s always supportive and a really good friend of mine off the field. She’s really hard working and always brings a smile to my face and makes everybody laugh.”

Since Jackson is such a supportive player, Casale said she’ll succeed at Husson University, as an athlete and as a student.

According to Jackson, she stuck with field hockey because she likes the fast-paced nature of the game coupled with the team dynamics. She really enjoys spending time with and playing for her teammates.

“I have put so much time and energy into improving my field hockey skills which made me feel more confident with the sport,” said Jackson. “I also believe that the atmosphere of the team and working together drew me closer to the sport. I believe that having a team to depend on and bond with will help me next year as I start my first year of college.”

Her advice to underclassmen who would like to achieve what she achieved through the signing of her letter of intent is to focus on academics first because they are the most important. She also said putting your mental health first is key. There’s a community and friendships that can be built that will help a student athlete through everything else.

DiDonato said Jackson will bring stability, confidence and consistency to the program at Husson University. DiDonato said Jackson is a work horse and people will look to her for how to consistently perform. When it comes to Jackson, there are no better words to describe her than hard-working, consistent and super driven.

Jackson would like to thank her varsity coach, DiDonato and assistant coaches, Tiff Theriault and Lyndsay Stretch, for all their hard work and for being an inspiration to her. Jackson would like to thank her mother for all she’s done for her. Jackson would also like to thank her teachers and friends who have helped her get to this point. <