The Washtenaw United girls’ hockey team is made up of girls from different schools throughout the Washtenaw community. Their team hosted Teacher Appreciation Night on January 19th, a night to acknowledge educators who have supported and influenced these players. The girls were encouraged to play to the best of their abilities, and have good sportsmanship. 

“Our coaches expected us to be on our best behavior and to be smart on the ice,” Freshman and left defenseman Sadie McCalla said.

Similar to the night the Chelsea boys’ varsity hockey had, the girls had originally planned to walk with their teachers down the ice. Unfortunately for them, the Zamboni had other plans.

“It turned out that we had the Zamboni on the ice,” Freshman and right-wing Lucy Johnson said. “So we sat on the bench while our teachers stood behind us, and we couldn’t hear anything they announced.”

The team wanted to show off their skills out of the classroom and on the ice. With their teachers watching, the girls were encouraged to play to the best of their abilities. 

“We talked in the locker room before, and they were expecting us to be on our top game,” Johnson said.

Along with the excitement of their teachers getting to see them play, they also had more people cheering them on in the crowd.

“I know I had more family come than normal and that the teacher’s families and friends came,” McCalla said. “It’s normally just a few parents and some family members that come.”

To prepare for this night, each of the girls wrote a speech describing how the teacher they chose affected them on and off the ice.

“I chose Mr Knight because he has given me guidance and encouragement that extends far beyond the classroom,” said McCalla. “He has taught me how to take care of my body when being a student-athlete, and given me the fundamentals for training to be a better athlete.”

Although Washtenaw United is made up of players from different schools in the county, there remained a few familiar faces from our Chelsea community in attendance. 

“I picked Mr. Schuman, my seventh-year math teacher and track coach,” Johnson said. “He is responsible for my growth as a student and athlete, always encouraging me to strive for excellence.”