Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Power of Title IX

As last week was the 40th Anniversary of Title IX, we wanted to share with you all some great links to stories that relate to both Title IX and lax, whether it's here in Lexington or anywhere at all!

 While Title IX helped girls across the country, it definitely help build our history here at Washington & Lee!
 Lisa Costello '93 played a huge role in the early days of Generals Lacrosse.

The 2011 Alumnae Game brought back some of our more recent history makers!

Make sure to check out this article from Lacrosse Magazine that chronicles some of the biggest names in our sport and what Title IX has meant to them.

While it is always fun to see some of the "celebrities" of our sport shine in the spotlight, it's even cooler when one of our own gets to shine.  During ESPN W's quest to create the largest photo mosaic of female athletes in the world MK tweeted @espnW with the hashtag #IXMOSAIC, "Title IX is mine because it gives us the opportunity to connect with other women who share our same passions!"  The result was actually many Generals laxers making it into the mosaic, but one pretty amazing one in particular...


ESPN W has done some really cool things in relation to Title IX recently, but they are doing amazing things for women's sports all the time!  As the Olympics approach make sure to check out their website for tons of cool stuff with women as the focus!  Also, if you are following us on Twitter (@GeneralsWLax) you should be following them too (@espnW)!

This week was a great time to reflect on what Title IX has given to all of us involved with women's athletics, and we Generals could not be more thankful!



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Alumnae Catch Up - Kate Donnelly '11

This week the blog catches up with Kate Donnelly of the class of 2011!

  1.  Name: Kate Donnelly
  2. Graduation Year: 2011
  3. Position: Midfield
  4. Major: Business and Accounting, Minor in Poverty Studies

The 2011 laxers with their dads!

 5.  Where do you live now?  I just finished up a masters program at UVA in Charlottesville, but moving to DC in September.


6.  What are you doing now for work?  Right now I’m studying for the CPA Exam, which is proving to be miserable… But, I’m excited to start working for Ernst and Young as an auditor in the fall!
The class of 2011 hanging out in the Outer Banks!

 7.  Favorite lacrosse memory from W&L?  Ahh that’s so hard to choose!  I’d say beating Middlebury for the first time my freshman year is up there.  It was such a thrill and really ramped up my whole W&L lacrosse experience.  Our trip to Orlando sophomore year was pretty sweet, too.


8.  What do you miss most from Lexington?  Dinners at Utah!


9.  How did W&L or your lacrosse experience help prepare you for what you are doing now?  Playing sports in college really helped me learn how to manage my time effectively.  Also, I’ve had to work in groups a ton since I’ve graduated, and I think being on a sports team and creating a cohesive unit was great preparation.
UVA Graduation for the Kate's!

10.  If you could have a super power what would it be?  Since I’m spending all my time studying these days, I’d REALLY like to have a photographic memory!!

A big thank you to Kate for filling us in on life post W&L!  Good luck with the CPA exam from all of the Generals!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Harry Potter World

This week's post is written by Christina Benedetti '12...



Three days after Alli and I graduated, our dreams came true…we finally went to HOGWARTS!!!! 
As part of our graduation present, our parents surprised us with a four day trip to Orlando to visit Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione.  When Alli and I found out about our trip, we started crying or should I say sobbing because we were so happy.  My friend from home, Katie, also joined us for the trip. 
We headed out to the airport nice and early on Sunday morning because we had a 9 o’clock flight from Baltimore to Orlando.  Once we checked our bags and made it through security, we kicked things off with a hearty breakfast, me a cheese quesadilla, chips and queso from California Tortilla, and Alli with McDonalds.  Mind you, it was not even 8 o’clock at this point.





The flight was quick and easy.  When we got down to baggage claim, there was a man waiting for us with a sign that said “Christina Benedetti”.  I felt like a queen.  We piled into the back of the driver’s nice black car and excitedly looked out the window anticipating the moment when we would first see the tops of the Hogwarts’ towers peaking out in the distance.  




We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel which is right on the grounds of Universal so we were able to walk to both parks.  Harry Potter World was the coolest thing in the entire world.  I got goose bumps every time we approached the entrance…there’s something truly magical about it.  When you first walk under the archway, you are greeted by the Hogwarts Express and platform 9 ¾.  As you walk down the cobblestone path, you will see Fred and George’s Zonko’s Joke Shop, Ollivanders Wand Shop, and plenty of butterbeer stands.  One morning, Alli, Katie, and I ate at the Three Broomsticks just like Harry, Ron, and Hermione!  We even assumed their roles for the trip: I was Harry Potter, Alli was Hermione and Katie was Ron.  We were required to be in character at all times.  




The castle simulation ride was the best of the 3 rides in Harry Potter World.  One of the best parts of the ride is waiting in line and walking through the castle because you get to see different aspects of Hogwarts along the way such as the Sorting Hat.  My next favorite was the Dragon Challenge roller coasters that turned you upside down, sideways and every which way.  Alli and I rode that one at least 4 times!  The last ride called “Flight of the Hippogriff” featured Buckbeak (shout out to Bucklee).  At first glance it looks like a kid roller coaster, but it turned out to be quite scary because you were hardly strapped in and were completely sideways. 
I bought tons of HP gear including my new best friend (which doubles as a backpack): HEDWIG!!! Isn’t she cute?  I also bought a pack of calf length socks that comes with a pair representing each house.  I would definitely wear them on the lax field if I hadn’t just graduated.  My family has a tradition of buying an ornament from every place we travel, so I bought a Hogwarts ornament to hang on my Christmas tree.  The last thing I bought from HP world was a chocolate frog from the Hogwarts candy shop, Honeydukes. It is sooooo yummy J




Although Alli, Katie, and I LOVED everything about Hogwarts, we noted a few suggestions that we would like to offer.  I plan on writing a letter to the people who run the park in hopes of improving the Wizarding Word of Harry Potter so that the next avid fan can enjoy it that much more.  Here’s what we came up with:

Dear Harry Potter World creators:
·       Have cloaks that you can rent for the day for $30.  Collect credit card information so that if you don’t return them by the end of the day, you get charged the full price for a cloak, $120.  How cool would it be if everywhere you looked people were in cloaks!?
·       Sell Harry Potter glasses.
·       Sell Harry Potter scar tattoos.
·       Sell Dobby merchandise or add him to some of the rides.  Dobby was no were to be seen anywhere in Harry Potter world… BLASPHEMY!
·       Have characters walking around the park (not necessarily Harry, Ron, etc) but someone that you can take your picture with and get an autograph in those cool little autograph books.   
·       Have a Sorting Hat somewhere in the park where you can sit under it, answer the Pottermore “What house are you?” questionnaire so that you know what house you are in.  This way people will know what house’s merchandise to buy. 
·       Have adult butterbeer that is actually alcoholic.    




Alli and I loved our trip to Hogwarts and only wish that all of you could have been there with us.  And if you haven’t yet read all 7 books, I now know what you’ll be reading this summer!




A big thank you to Bene for sharing her and Alli's wonderful experience with us all.  I'm sure Harry Potter World will take all of your suggestions in for consideration!