b'Our Lady of Sorrows SchoolThe Catholic School of South Orange and MaplewoodEnrolling now for PreK through 8th grade OurLadyofSorrowsSchool.orgoffice@ourladyofsorrowsschool.org 172 Academy Street, South Orange, NJ 07079973.762.5169The Columbia High School varsity girls soccer team at Underhill Field. The team went 9-10-1 in the 2024-25 season. Photo credit: Lors Photographymaintain equity or give athletes thetra level of care.practice time they need. The softballStill, her focus remains squarely team currently practices off campus.on the students. Athletics is educa-Itslikeyouhaveoneclassroomtion-based, she says. You may not andyouretryingtofit18classesbethestrongeststudentacademi-init,Winstead says. Our teams deservethebest facilities.Were academically and artisticallygreat. Ourathletesde-servethesame support.Thecommu-nityhasstepped up.Fromthe peopleintheVarsity tennis player Eden Phillippe competing in a match. stands, to CougarThe team went 12-7 in the 2024-25 season. Photo credit: Lors Boosterstopar- Photographyent volunteers organizing banquetscally, but sports can grow your confi-andend-of-seasoncelebrations,dence and critical thinking skills. Ev-Winstead says shes inspired by theery moment on the field is a chance way people show up. It anchors ourto learn.teams, she says. It provides that ex- Winsteadhopesthatmessage continues to resonate. Her own storyfromhighschoolteam captain to the leadership role she holds nowis proof that sports can shape a life.As for her motto? Its simple and right on brand: We WIN! AdriannaDonatisalocal writer, real estate agent with Pol-lock Properties Group and lifelong fan of game day chants, team spirit andunderdogvictories.Shebe-lieves a great coachand a good Sjocquelyn Winsteads focus is on the stu- pair of sneakerscan change your dents and believes sports can grow your confidence and critical thinking skills. life.20/ matters magazine / school 2025'