Lincoln International Academy's School Newspaper
Learning today, Leading and Serving Tomorrow!
Playing as a Team
By Elena Sequeira
On April 9, 2024, my team and I boarded a plane to Guatemala. We never knew that we would return from this trip very differently than how we left. Everybody told us that we were great players, with great capabilities and skills, but we had one problem: Going into the tournament we knew that we had the ability to perform well, but we still needed to improve our teamwork.
It wasn’t until our first game that we truly connected. We were able to come together and play as a team in a way that we had been lacking in our games leading up to the tournament. Our second game was really challenging. We gave everything, even when we were about to lose, yet we never gave up. Everything we did in training was put into effect in that game, where it mattered. We were at one point down 4 points, and saved many match points from our rivals, yet we persevered and won.
At the end of AASCA, we were told by many parents, athletes, and even the referees that they had never seen a team make such a huge comeback. I remember specifically a parent from an athlete of a rival school congratulating us on how united our team was and how we never gave up until the last ball dropped. Until that day, we hadn’t been told that our team seemed unified, let alone felt that way. Not only did we gain lots of experience from this AASCA, but we also could feel like a team and play as one. I’ll forever be grateful for my incredible team and the unconditional support from our coaches, friends, and family members. Without them, we never would have believed what we were capable of.
AASCA Experience
By Isabella Reyes
It was April 9th, and we were on our way to the airport. I was so anxious that I couldn’t even sleep the night before. When I got to the airport and saw all of the team there, I could feel the excitement; the time had truly arrived. We got on the airplane, and our journey began. We were filled with excitement, yet knew that we would have to reflect our chemistry outside the court, in it, if we were to have any realistic chances.
On day one, we arrived at Colegio Decroly Americano. We started training, and our attitude was excellent. We felt confident and ready. Then, we had the first game, and we felt united as one. Despite not playing much, I still enjoyed cheering and seeing the effort transform into victories. Adriana and I closely watched every game just in case our coach would sub for us. When it was my time to play, I entered the court and, funnily enough, wasn’t nervous. That is something that our Athletics Director, Pierre Roberts, told me, and he was proud because when it was my time to play, I made sure I entered concentrated and ready. When we lost our game to advance into the semifinals, all my teammates, including myself, cried. The ride back to the hotel was difficult, and everybody was down emotionally. Yet, we still had a lot to be proud of so we shook the loss off and moved on. We congratulated everyone for their effort and our spirits started improving. We even made jokes about it because there was nothing else for us to do.
In the remaining days, we tried to fight for a place and persevered all the way through. When everything was done, we felt happy because we felt more like a family and not just a team anymore. AASCA had united us. Every parent told us that we played well and that we looked like a family playing our hearts out for the team. We weren’t happy with the results, but other AASCAs still remain. I couldn’t be more proud of the team we have become, and I know that everybody feels that way. This experience has been unique and challenging, which I believe will make us a better and stronger team for next year’s AASCA.
AASCA 2025
By Victoria Bolaños
Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, but you should always give it your all with your heart and faith. This is one of the most important life lessons I've learned, and it applies to absolutely every aspect of life. In this case, it applied to my experience at AASCA 2025.
This AASCA, my last one, was a life lesson for me. I gave my all in every game, and for a moment, it felt like it was all for nothing. But then, at the very end, I realized it was for something bigger than a trophy. I shed blood and sweat—not to win first place, but to show the players who will be the future of this team that you have to fight until the very last second for everything you love. In this case, that is soccer. This AASCA was about faith, heart, passion, and, more than anything, growth.
Para mis chavalas: las quiero muchísimo y tienen un futuro enorme por delante. Acuérdense de que lo más importante no es ganar, sino dar lo mejor de ustedes mismas. Con el tiempo, tendrán victorias y derrotas, pero al final, se darán cuenta de lo fuertes y determinadas que son, y eso vale mucho más que cualquier premio. No pude haber pedido un mejor último AASCA. Gracias por compartirlo conmigo.
Aquí les dejo la oración que nos mantuvo unidas y en fe:
Oh piadosísima Virgen María,
que jamás se ha oído decir
que ninguno de los que han acudido
a tu protección,
implorando tu asistencia
y reclamando tu socorro,
haya sido abandonado de ti.
Animado con esta confianza,
a ti también acudo, oh Madre,
Virgen de las vírgenes,
y aunque gimiendo
bajo el peso de mis pecados,
me atrevo a comparecer
ante tu presencia soberana.
No deseches mis humildes súplicas,
oh Madre del Verbo divino,
antes bien, escúchalas
y acógelas benignamente. Amén.