Bear Necessities Volume 30

Last week was an exciting and busy one for our community, filled with energy around admissions and the anticipation of welcoming our future Bear Cubs who will officially become Bears in August.

On Wednesday, we hosted our Fireside Chat, inviting admitted students and their families to campus for an evening of connection. At the Athletics table, I was joined by three of our freshman student-athletes, who were in those very same seats just one year ago. I was impressed watching them engage with prospective families, confidently answering questions about summer conditioning, tryouts, and their experiences in our programs. Their poise and authenticity reflected the strength of our community.

Earlier that afternoon, I stopped by the softball field as we hosted Burlingame High School in what is always a spirited "Battle of Burlingame." The Bears delivered an exciting performance, with the bats coming alive and setting the tone early. Our sophomore pitcher was in command in the circle and also made an impact on the base paths, leading a strong all-around effort. It was especially exciting to see the growth from year to year, particularly among our freshmen who make varsity teams. That first season can be a significant adjustment as athletes acclimate to the speed and physicality of the varsity level, and by year two, they return more confident, composed, and poised.

One of the most rewarding parts of working in education is having a front-row seat to our student-athletes' growth, both on and off the field. Year after year, them become more confident, more assertive, and more fully themselves. Last week was a great reminder of just how special that journey is.