Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Kelvin Botchway (Boys' Soccer)

Senior boys’ soccer player Kelvin Botchway was recently named a team captain following the sixth game of the season.  After splitting time between the JV and varsity levels as a sophomore, he came on strong during his junior year playing significant minutes as part of a talented midfield position that year.  

 “Although he started his junior year as a reserve, by the end of the season he was starting and playing almost every minute of every game,” LHS boys’ soccer coach Steve McCaughey said.  

This season, Kevin took over the CDM position, the man most responsible for defending the midfield.  

“This often means Kelvin has to take on our opponents' most talented players,” McCaughey said.  “Not only is Kelvin strong defensively, he also has remarkable composure with the ball on his foot and is also responsible for helping our team transition from defense to offense.”

McCaughey also said Kelvin emerged as a leader early on in the season.  

“He started to find his voice and helped younger players understand their responsibilities on the field,” McCaughey said.  “Because of the leadership he displayed and the way he carries himself both on and off the field, he was named a captain.

Kelvin has lived in Leominster for the past five years after moving to Leominster from Ghana.  His parents were big into sports and introduced him to soccer when he was seven years old.  

Kelvin said he likes the details of the game and also loves being a part of the LHS soccer team.

“What I like most is we are united no matter the outcome of our games,” Kelvin said.  “I have learned that hard work pays off.”

Kelvin also said wants to continue playing soccer after his high school days are over, which includes getting all the way to the top.      

“I’m trying to pursue the dream to become a professional one day,” Kelvin said.  

Kelvin also has an interest in joining the military after high school as well.  

Kelvin said he has enjoyed his experience at LHS to date.

“My favorite class so far at LHS is Personal Finance,” Kelvin said.  “My favorite teacher is Ms. Tsourapis.”

When not in school or on the soccer fields, Kelvin enjoys playing video games.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Emma McNamara (Field Hockey)

Emma McNamara started playing field hockey when she was in third grade after her mom, a former college field hockey player, introduced Emma to the sport.  Now a senior and a four-year member of the LHS field hockey team, Emma is thriving in her role as team captain.  

“Emma has devoted time to improving her game and skills both during the season and also in the off season through club opportunities,” Phillips said.  “She has become the center of our defense and is one of the key communicators on the field.  This year as a captain she has been pivotal in organizing the team and making sure everyone has the same central focus.”

“She truly cares about each and every member of the program and is constantly focused on bettering herself and her teammates,” Phillips added.  “She is an absolute joy to coach and know as a person and an athlete.”

Emma said she loves the sport of field hockey and being a part of the LHS field hockey team.

“I love how exciting the game is and how small the field hockey world is,” Emma said.  “I love the family we’ve created (here at LHS).”  

Emma has also learned a lot from Coach Phillips.  

“I’ve learned more lessons than I can count from Coach Phillips,” Emma explained.  “In the past four years, she’s made me a better person in so many ways.”

Emma plans on continuing her field hockey career in college and wants to be an elementary school teacher after that.  

At LHS Emma also plays softball and is the manager of the girls' basketball team, along with being a part of Best Buddies.

Her favorite class was Honors American Studies with her favorite teacher, Mr. Robichaud.

Outside of school, Emma likes hanging out with friends and family, coaching and refereeing youth field hockey and watching sports.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Anna Serafini (Cross Country)

Now a senior, Anna Serafini has been a great asset and leader of the LHS cross country team since she arrived as a freshman.  

“We are lucky to have her,” LHS cross country coach Karen Marino said.  “She has been in the state qualifiers and state championship meets as well as a League All-Star.  I know this year will be no different.   She is running some of her best times this year and it has been great to watch her compete.”

Anna started running cross country in sixth grade after her mom, who is a running enthusiast herself, introduced Anna to the sport. 

“I like the freedom of cross country and that it’s an individual sport that I can always improve on over time,” Anna said.  

Anna said she loves being a part of the LHS cross country team. 

“Coach Marino is very understanding and inviting to whoever joins our program,” Anna said.  “Everyone here is very close-knit and we do almost everything together.”

Anna was also very complimentary of her coaches throughout her time running at LHS.

“Over the years Coach Marino and Coach Harris have taught me that the way I perform in a race doesn’t determine my worth,” Anna explained.  “Coach Marino especially has taught me to just have fun with running and try to better myself along the way.”

Anna is evaluating her college options as she plans to run cross country and indoor track while earning her degree in Business and Marketing.  

At LHS, Anna also is on the indoor track team and the lacrosse team.

“My favorite class so far has been Spanish 3 with Mrs. Piragis,” Anna said.  “My favorite teacher is Mr. Robichaud.”

Outside of school, Anna loves hanging out with her best friends, going for runs, and art.

 

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Arowyn Marrama (Girls' Volleyball)

Born in Chicago, Arowyn Marrama moved to Leominster with her family when she was three years old.  After attending Fall Brook and Samoset, Arowyn is now in her senior year at LHS and thriving on the Blue Devil girls’ volleyball team.  

“Arowyn Marrama has an upbeat personality that is absolutely contagious,” LHS girls’ volleyball coach Sam Comeau said.  “She is an extremely selfless teammate, who enjoys celebrating the success of her teammates or her team more than she enjoys celebrating her own success.”

Comeau said Arowyn is the teammate every student needs.    

“Arowyn is someone who is optimistic in the most trying of times,” Comeau said.  “She is the first to help someone when they are down, or to dedicate a serve 4U to put a smile on our faces.”

Comeau said Arowyn has worked hard during her four years of playing volleyball to develop new skills.

“She is the type of player who will give 110% in games and at practices,” Comeau said.  “When we are playing strong offensive teams, she makes defensive plays that I cannot believe, all while making it look easy.”

Arowyn started playing volleyball her freshman year.

“My friends and I decided to go to our Coach’s Clinic before the season started,” Arowyn said.  “I’ve loved playing ever since.  I love the friendships I've made by being on the team.  I truly love every single one of my teammates and coaches.”

Arowyn has also learned a lot from Coach Comeau.

“Comeau has taught me to not think just play,” Arowyn said.  “She has taught me to put in hard work, that a job worth doing is worth doing well, and most importantly is to move on after you make a mistake.”

After high school, Arowyn plans on going to college and pursuing a career as a Dental Hygienist.

Her favorite class as LHS has been Forensics.  

“My favorite teacher is Mrs. Fairbanks,” Arowyn said.  “She is incredibly smart and I love the way she teaches.  You can tell she cares about what she does.”

Arowyn also stays busy outside of school.

“I’m on the Youth Worship Team at the Life Church MA,” Arowyn said.  “I also run a Bible study with my friends.  I love being around my family.”

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Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Samara Rosado (Girls' Volleyball)

Senior girls’ volleyball player Samara Rosado has been an impactful team member since joining the volleyball program her sophomore year according to her coach, Samantha Comeau. 

“She leads by example, is extremely supportive, and a huge asset to the success of this program,” Comeau said of Samara.  “She is an athlete that the younger girls in our program look up to, not only for her athletic ability, but for her character. She is hardworking, and can be counted on during crunch time.”

“Sam is the embodiment of what it means to be a great student-athlete, and her contributions will be greatly missed when she graduates,” Comeau added.  

Samara started playing volleyball after starting out her high school career playing field hockey in the fall.  

“Volleyball is a team sport, which I love, and it’s extremely fun,” Samara said.  “I am surrounded every day by my close friends.  I like my teammates and just being a part of a team in general.  I like being able to perfect skills to have a part in winning games.”

Samara said she has learned a lot from Coach Comeau, including improving her mental approach.  

“I’ve learned a lot from my coach and teammates throughout the season, but the main thing is to shake off mistakes and focus on the next point,” Samara explained.  “This can be related to real life, which is why I like the lesson so much.”

Samara also hopes to continue playing volleyball after high school.

“I would love to continue to play volleyball after high school, whether that be pick up games with friends or at a D3 college,” Samara said.  

Samara plans on attending college after high school and studying speech pathology. 

She also said she has enjoyed her time at LHS.

“At the moment, I really enjoy statistics and my favorite teacher I’ve had is Mr. Roohanifar,” Samara said.  

Samara also stays busy outside of school.

“I love going to church and having Bible studies with my friends,” Samara said.  “I’m grateful to play volleyball with my close friends who I spend time with outside of sports.”  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Isaac Chambass (Boys' Soccer)

Senior boys’ soccer goalkeeper Isaac Chambass is widely regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the area, but his path to this point was one filled with ups and downs according to LHS boys’ soccer coach Steve McCaughey.  

During Isaac’s sophomore season Isaac began as the starter on the JV team but ended the season as the backup.  However, that situation only fueled Isaac’s drive to succeed. 

“This only seemed to motivate him to work harder over the offseason,” McCaughey said.  “Isaac put in a lot of work with his goalkeeping coach and came back determined to compete for the starting varsity job as a junior.  Not only did he earn the job, but he ended up starting every game and earning All-State recognition.”

“He continues to work hard at his craft, but this year he has taken on the added responsibility of being a captain,” McCaughey added.  “He has done a great job communicating with the players in front of him and providing much needed leadership from between the posts.”

Isaac started playing soccer when he was five years old.

“My dad liked soccer so he signed me and my brother up to play,” Isaac said.  

Isaac then figured out he liked preventing goals rather than saving them.

“I like saving shots from entering the goal because I’m a goalkeeper,” Isaac said.

Isaac said he has really enjoyed his time playing on the LHS soccer team. 

“I like the team chemistry and the coaching staff,” Isaac said.  “I learned that it’s going to take a lot of hard work to play at the next level.”

Isaac would like to continue playing soccer in college where he wants to earn a degree in computer science.  

Here at LHS, Isaac’s favorite class was his sophomore ELA class with Mr. Oxford.

Outside of school, Isaac enjoys playing soccer, hanging out with friends and playing video games.  

Blue Devil Athlete Spotlight: Patience Roberge (Girls' Soccer)

In the first scrimmage a year ago, Patience Roberge suffered a torn ACL which forced to miss her entire junior season.  Now healthy and one of three captains (along with Mia Keenan and Jillian French) on the LHS girls’ soccer team, Patience is making the most out of her final season in a Blue Devil uniform.  

"Patience has flawlessly stepped into a leadership role, on and off the field,” LHS coach Todd Turcotte said.  “She brings a passion for the game, and a sense of humor to our team.  Patience will be missed in the years to come.”

Patience started playing soccer when she was seven years old.

“My parents wanted me involved in some type of activity, so I tried soccer and just stuck with it,” Patience said.

“I love the game, I know it, I love to play it and watch it,” Patience added.  “It's upbeat, it's challenging, and it requires a lot of heart which I am always ready to give.”

Patience said she loves being a part of the LHS soccer team in part because of the relationships she has built.

“I’ve met some great people,” Patience said.  “My teammates are kind and fun, and I enjoy the laughs and jokes and friendships formed.  I also enjoy the coaching staff as we've created a good bond as well in the short years I have known them.”

“Something my coach is constantly reminding our team is to come ready,” Patience added.  “You will never perform to your content if you are not ready or present inside your head, and that is something I definitely carry with me from game to game and firmly believe to be true.”

As for post-graduation plans, Patience said that is still a work in progress.

“I definitely do not have it all figured out yet, all I know is I plan to move away from here and eventually get into Physical Therapy,” Patience said.  “After tearing my ACL my junior year and doing PT everyday, it struck an interest and I can definitely see myself pursuing a career in or related to it.”

Patience has been a member of the LHS lacrosse team and is currently a member of Best Buddies.

“I would say my favorite class was my Honors Spanish 3 class junior year, with Mrs. Piragis,” Patience said.  “I enjoy learning Spanish and I definitely still want to improve, and Mrs. Piragis is a great teacher.  She made the class interesting and fun, and I did genuinely learn a lot more Spanish without even realizing it.”

Outside of school, Patience loves to be with her friends, going out to eat or shop, or just hanging out. She also likes to spend time outside, go to the gym and listen to music.