By Kendra Tomsic, Director of Athletics

A heartfelt shout-out to Winged Lion Athletics Booster Club Board members Erica Keil (president), Melanie Bates (treasurer), and Alexandra Von Maack (Middle School liaison) for the great service they have given to our athletics program throughout the 2022–2023 school year. Their volunteer service continues to be invaluable and important to the workings of our athletics program.

Erica Keil, who has served as Booster Club president for over a decade, will be stepping away from that position at the end of this school year. Erica has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, volunteering countless hours to help make the athletics experience top-notch for the student-athletes who participate in our programs; always going above and beyond to assist the Winged Lion athletic administration and coaching staff with anything they have needed; stepping in to cover Pack the Bleachers events, to staff the home volleyball and basketball admissions table countless times (even though she had no athlete competing on any of those teams); helping recruit, guide, and instruct all of the Booster parent liaisons who are so important to each team; and just always an email or phone call away should Assistant Director of Athletics Zack Alvidrez or I ever need anything! Erica has done all of this and more, always enthusiastically, cheerfully, and with a smile on her face…her blue collar work ethic, self-motivation, creativity, and enthusiasm has been contagious as she has taken the Booster Club to new heights during her tenure. We will miss her so very much—she leaves some big shoes to fill and a legacy that won’t soon fade…a heartfelt thanks to you, Erica, for all you’ve given and all you’ve done. You’re the best!
 
A thank you to all the parents, families, and ROHO Athletics supporters who chose to join the Booster Club this year—we were able to capture nearly 100 memberships this year! Your financial support allowed the Booster Board to fund numerous athletic department projects throughout the year, including updating our championship banners, Pack the Bleachers events, Middle School sports participation gifts, senior athlete and parent recognition gifts, a $15-per-athlete donation towards Upper School end-of-season team celebration banquets, and a significant donation of funds towards the livestreaming of many home athletic events, to name a few.
 
In addition, parent support in staffing the concession and ticket table for volleyball and basketball, as well as in supplying drinks for our student-athletes during each team’s season, was very much appreciated.
 
A special thank you to parents who were willing to spearhead each sport and serve as parent liaisons for a sport or sports this year, and most recently our spring sport liaisons: Akemi Louchheim, girls golf; Beth Jahn and Andrea Matlin, track and field; Namrata Handlon, boys tennis; Tammy Park, boys soccer; Melanie Bates, softball; and Manisha Shah, boys ultimate frisbee.
 
Fall and winter sport liaisons this year were Sherrie Connery and Tammy Fukushima, girls soccer; Ashley Boe, girls tennis; Kristin VanOrman, Amy Sorenson, and Connie Dooley, volleyball; Beth Jahn and Andrea Matlin, cross country; Jenny Nakao, boys golf; and Gwen Creel-Erickson, swimming. Thanks much for all you did.
 
Many thanks to everyone for helping to make the 2022–2023 year of Winged Lion athletics a huge success. It takes a village to create something special—thanks for being there to make it happen! Looking forward to your continued support in 2023–2024.

Happy summer, and GO WINGED LIONS!

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