Four Windham seniors signed their letters of intent at Windham High School on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Stella Jarvais will attend the University of Maine Orono to play soccer, Grace Joly will attend Colby-Sawyer in New Hampshire to play lacrosse, Luke Cunniffe will attend Bates in Lewiston to play soccer and Sarah Inman will attend Wheaton College in Massachusetts and be a member of the swimming team.
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| Windham senior Grace Joly signs a letter of intent to attend Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire to play lacrosse and study nursing at the school. PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA |
“Stella is the rare, dying breed of a three-sport athlete,” said girls’ varsity soccer coach Deb Lebel. “She’s a tremendous player, but an even better person. Teams have an additional coach when Stella’s their teammate.”
While Jarvais is undecided on her college major, she chose UMaine Orono because of the community environment.
She began playing soccer at a young age through travel and recreational soccer.
Jarvais said it was surreal for her to sign a letter of intent. She reminds underclassmen to remember the process is about what you love and not what people expect from you.
She said she would like to thank all her coaches, teachers, family, and friends that have shown her unconditional love and support through the years.
Grace Joly
Joly will major in nursing at Colby-Sawyer College and might eventually work in pediatrics.
She began playing lacrosse when she was 4 because her club coach, Taylor Colangelo, was a referee for her games.
“It’s amazing to sign the letter of intent,” said Joly. “I feel like people wait for this day and it’s a really good feeling to look in the crowd and see all my family and friends, coaches.”
Her advice to underclassmen is to put in the work and make connections at a college before committing.
“We were afraid she was going to get broken the first time she got hit on the lacrosse field,” said girls’ varsity lacrosse coach Matt Perkins. “Right away she had that smile and personality, and she has really brought our program to a place where everybody is involved.”
Joly said she would like to thank WHS lacrosse coaches Perkins, Babb and Ludka; Coach Colangelo and her parents for everything they’ve done for her.
Luke Cunniffe
“He is a student of the game,” said varsity boys’ soccer coach Jeff Neal. “Anyone that’s watched him and what’s he’s done with our program and how he’s carried himself is so heartwarming.”
Econometrics is what Cunniffe will major in at Bates College and he says that he would like to get a position in finance after that.
Signing a letter of intent was something Cunniffe always saw his friends do and he was grateful to have his moment.
His interest in soccer began during youth sports. He had tried several sports, and soccer quickly became a good outlet for him. He said soccer keeps him making good decisions and motivates him to work hard and to be a good person on and off the field.
His advice to underclassmen is to keep working; keep pushing and working toward their ultimate goal.
“As long as you’re playing the game for the right reasons, and you have people around you supporting you, and motivating you, it’s great,” said Cunniffe.
Cunniffe said he would like to thank his mom, dad, brother Sean, grandmother and his grandfather Bob Witham.
Sarah Inman
Inman says that it felt good for her to sign a letter of intent. She will major in biochemistry at Wheaton College and would like to someday make natural medicine with fewer side effects.
When Inman found swimming, she realized she was naturally born for water. She quickly moved through various swimming groups and pushed herself to do well.
“One of the very few to come through Windham and medal in both the regional championship and the state championship for four years in a row,” said WHS swim coach Peter Small. “She’s an ambassador of the sport and a true leader who approaches everything with grace.”
Her advice to anyone who wants to sign a college athletic letter of intent is to speak the truth and be confident in your choices; do what feels right and know there are people supporting you.
She would like to thank her coaches, teammates and friends who supported her through high school. <
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