editorial 11/18

Teamwork is the action of multiple people, especially when done efficiently and effectively. 

Teamwork is needed in the classroom, on the court and on the field. Students and players need to work as a team in order to prepare for their future, especially in occupations, which may include the understanding of different perspectives, encourage productivity, communication and the ability to build relationships. 

For the first time in NCS history, our girls’ cross country team won the VISAA state championships for the first time in NCS history. Kerrigan Chaney ‘25, an exceptional and lifelong runner, has been running solo until enough girls were registered to make a full team. She has never had a full team until her senior year. The championship team consisted of many 8th grade runners with extreme potential.

“It felt really good to win [as a team],” Chaney admitted, “I cried when I found out we won. And that's unusual.”

Our boys’ soccer, football, and cross country teams may have lost the state championships- but what victory  is  most important? 

Boys’ football, which had won the past two years of state championships, succumbed after a hard uphill battle against Blue Ridge’s team 14-12 on Nov. 16. The Raiders had beaten the Knights last year, not to mention winning the BRAC the last two years.

“Not only is it fun to work with the guys, it's beneficial,” said Walker Reel ‘27. “We are learning how to work together. Everyone matters on the football team and we have to look out for each other. Teamwork is listening to your coaches and other members. To me it's a whole team working together whether it's with 8th graders or seniors. We had some big wins. We played great in the semis 48-0 against Fredericksburg Christian. We all felt good about states; we just got down at half when it seemed like nobody really wanted to fight back. It was a great season, though and even if we lose, it's worth it.”

Nate Bonds ‘25 said, “it's the chemistry as a team. It’s so we can all be on the same page. We all want the same result. If our team is winning, I'm winning. Mentally and physically.” 

On Nov. 7 in northern Virginia, our boys’ soccer team lost to Seton School 4-2. 

Even feeling the loss of states, senior midfielder, Hunter Basile ‘25, still broke and reset a record for goals scored in a game. Dean Cote ‘25 said “Being a senior gave me a sense of leadership and duty as I knew I was a role model and my actions would shape the behaviors of others. Teamwork was crucial as we had lost about 8 starting seniors from the previous season, we had to come together and figure out how we were gonna fill this large hole and it was really a team effort to do that.”
Teamwork is needed in the classroom as well. Students need to work as a team in order to prepare for their future, especially in occupations, which may include the understanding of different perspectives, encourage productivity, communication and the ability to build relationships. 

As a team, we have been able to publish two issues this year for the Herald. One being published only three weeks after the last. Our special issue was made to honor the championship teams whether they had won the last game of their season or not; teamwork is the real accomplishment.