'Beestly Spotlights: Student-Athletes

If you’ve ever been on campus for a sporting event, you’ve heard “Go ’Beests!” shouted by exuberant fans. Yes, our mascot is the wildebeest (also called “gnu,” the inspiration for the name of this newsletter!), but for us, “being ’Beestly” is more than just a play on words. We look to the wildebeest for inspiration for the entire approach to our athletics program, connecting this extraordinary animal’s traits to the human realm. 

We seek to bring the best of the wildebeest to our athletic endeavors: unmatched energy; collective commitment to the team; determination, perseverance, and grit; loyalty to community; fair play; unity and the capacity to celebrate the diversity among us; and equality among our teams. Modeled after our gritty and community-minded mascot, we celebrate our accomplishments with a focus on the growth our community has fostered.

We recently sat down with four particularly ’Beestly athletes to learn what inspires them, who they’re grateful to, and what’s next in their athletic careers. Check it out!

Jackson Henderson ’24 | Soccer

’Beestly Pride

I was selected to represent Bermuda for 2024 CONCACAF* U20 Qualifiers to be held in St. Kitts (February 23 – March 2, 2024). If Bermuda wins, we will advance to the U20 World Cup. Starting the summer after my junior year, I was invited to train with Bermuda’s team twice and played in a tournament with them, but it was still a surprise and honor to be selected for their national team. That, being selected for all-conference each year I’ve played Varsity for SSFS, and recently being named to the Washington Post’s 2023 All-Met team are what I’m most proud of in my soccer career.

’Beestly Reflection

Although I’m American-born, I was introduced to soccer when I lived in Bermuda at age two, thanks to my dad—who played soccer at the college level and was a part of three state championship high school teams—and mom (who was quite the island soccer girl). I have fond memories of island life, including being close to family, snail catching, and snorkeling—which recently inspired me to get my scuba diving certification—so I’m very excited to represent Bermuda in these qualifiers. [Fun fact: While Jackson’s soccer career started in Bermuda, he shares that one of its early catalysts was training under SSFS alum Justin Reid ’00 at QuickFeet Soccer.]

’Beestly Values

Equality is the Quaker SPICE that resonates most with me. All of the clubs I’ve played for and people I’ve played with have represented a wide range of diversity. I’ve learned that you never fully know what people’s past experiences and backgrounds are, so I seek to treat them equally with that in mind.

’Beestly Support

Sandy Spring academics are still in full swing in the spring semester of my senior year! In my Advanced Techniques for Fabrication and Design class [an engineering elective], on any given day, we’re welding, 3D printing, programming, or coding. I’ve had to learn to balance academics and athletics; the SSFS community has made me comfortable reaching out to teachers and advocating for myself. I’ve gotten used to explaining soccer conflicts, like, “I have a club game, and I’ll be gone Friday through Sunday night; how can I work with you to get this assignment done early or to work out an extension?” I’ve learned time management and communication skills as a whole—these are habits I see benefiting me my whole life.

’Beestly Goals

I’ve been accepted to all the schools I applied to and am hoping to include soccer in my college experience by playing at one of these DI colleges. While I think of myself as a good player, it surprised me to have college coaches coming up to me and telling me it was a joy to watch me play. While in college, I’d like to pursue my academic interests: marine biology—inspired by my Bermudian heritage—and international business. My ultimate goal is to go pro—preferably with one of the top 5 big leagues in Europe—Liverpool is my favorite team!

*CONCACAF is the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football, one of FIFA’s six continental confederations.

 

Noi Jonasson ’25 | Ice Hockey

’Beestly Pride

I play for the cooperative team in the Maryland High School Hockey League under Sherwood High School which includes players from 7 different schools. This season, I was named to the first team all-county and first team All-Conference. Last year, we won the conference title and are hoping to repeat. I also play club hockey alongside players from around the country for Team Maryland U 18 AAA. We’re ranked #1 in Maryland and are top 30 in the United States. And, I represented Iceland at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Istanbul—I’m proud to be a dual citizen and be able to compete for my country on the world stage.

’Beestly Reflection

I had just turned three when I saw my first ice skating rink. Once I saw some kids in hockey jerseys, I was hooked!  I asked my parents to take me skating every day after that, and I competed on my first team when I was just 4 years old. Russell Smith has been my coach since I was three—his work with me over the past 14 years has made me a better hockey player. . . and person. 

’Beestly Support

SSFS encourages me to reach my dreams. When I started at the school in 6th Grade, I needed to ask for two weeks off school to compete in PeeWee International Quebec, the largest and oldest tournament in Peewee hockey. SSFS allowed me to work remotely, and all my teachers supported me to allow me to be a part of the tournament. In the end, my team made it to the semi-finals, and we played teams from Australia and Japan. When I returned to school, I was able to do a presentation for my class.

When my high school team won the playoffs in early February, lots of people from SSFS came out to support me, including three of my teachers. It’s been great to have support in the audience from my advisor, Barbara von Salis, and [Global Languages Department Head] Eduardo Polon—they’ve come to many games to cheer on all the SSFS players.

A parent of SSFS alums, Kevin Esser [P ’14, ’16, ’19 and spouse of former faculty/staff member], has been my high school coach for three years. He handed me my first puck from my first high school goal! He’s retiring this year after 30 years of coaching and will be greatly missed.

’Beestly Values

Community is the Quaker SPICE that best reflects hockey. To me, community means lifting each other up as a team and relying on each other. Being part of a team means everyone has a role. I enjoy helping younger players on the ice.

’Beestly Goals

I hope my club team—Team Maryland—can win a bid to Nationals where we would compete against the top teams in the country in March. For high school hockey, following our district playoff win, we’re heading to southeastern districts next month in Charlotte, NC, and I’m hoping we move on to nationals in April in Las Vegas. 

Long term, I want to move on to the Junior system in the USHL or NAHL where you play for three years and get bids for college teams. I hope to play D1 hockey in the NCAA. 

 

Noel Motley ’25 | Cross Country, Basketball, Softball

’Beestly Pride

I’ve been a part of three teams that won PVAC championships in the past year: Softball (Spring 2023), Cross Country (Fall 2023), and Basketball just brought home the banner! The athletic accolade that I’m most proud of is the basketball championship this season because we really got to grow together as a team. We also got to prove people wrong—those who didn’t believe we would do well this season and win as much as we did. We even proved ourselves wrong—when we doubted our ability to play good basketball. 

’Beestly Reflection

One of the biggest impacts of being on these teams is finding community and creating unforgettable memories. I got into softball and basketball when I was younger—it seems like I’ve always played. I only started cross country in seventh grade after my friends convinced me. With all three sports, I’m inspired by the people around me—especially my teammates—who always encourage each other and are supportive no matter what their role is on the team.

’Beestly Values

The SPICE that connects to my life as a student-athlete is Community: you have to have a good bond with your teammates and trust them to have your back. 

’Beestly Support

I want to thank all of my SSFS coaches for all three sports. They are the most understanding and helpful people I’ve ever met. They are not just sports coaches; they’re also life coaches, preparing me to continue after high school. I’m forever grateful.

’Beestly Goals

For the near term, I hope we win a softball banner this year and have a great season.

 

Samir Ouchikh ’27 | Speed Skating

 

’Beestly Pride

I was selected for the Dream Program, which provided over 40 youths from different countries the opportunity to practice skiing and ice sports—hosted in the Republic of Korea in January. I participated as the first Moroccan short track speedskater and was awarded the silver medal for second place overall in Short Track Speedskating for both the 500 meter and 1000 meter distances. It was incredible to meet new people and make new friends in Korea. One of the main highlights was meeting Julian Yee, a Malaysian figure skater born in Kuala Lumpur, who started skating at the Dream Program as a child. He went on to represent Malaysia in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Of my speed skating accolades, I’m most proud of placing fourth in the 2022 United States Speedskating Age Group Nationals in Lake Placid, New York. And in my most recent race, I placed first in the Northeast Short Track Series Men's Division at the Bay State Short Track Championships in Massachusetts.

’Beestly Reflection

I skate at Potomac Speedskating Club at the Wheaton and the Cabin John Ice Rink. I’m inspired by my coaches, Simon Cho and John Henry Krueger, who both are Olympic medalists. My teammates are also an inspiration. Most recently, four of my teammates skated in the Youth Winter Olympic Games. Looking back, all of my coaches have had a significant impact on my growth as an athlete and overall as a person.

’Beestly Values

Integrity is the Quaker SPICE that means the most to me—to me, it means doing the right thing when no one is looking and working hard even when no one is watching me train. I spent last summer training in Incheon, South Korea, where I learned a lot about work ethic and commitment to the sport. The training schedule in South Korea was intense—every day I would wake up at 4:30 am and practice until 10:00 am, then return to the rink at 4:00 pm and practice until 9:00 pm.

’Beestly Support

SSFS has given me the time and support I need to succeed as an athlete. The teachers and administration allow me to take time off to attend races and training camps at certain times of the year. They also help support me by providing assignments ahead of time and helping me make up work if I missed any assignments while I’m traveling for races. Alice Lee and Cory Cloud have been my advisors and helped support me and my work during times when I have been away for competitions or overseas at camps in Korea or Europe. 

’Beestly Goals

As a little kid, I learned about speed skating by watching the Winter Olympics. They’re still on my mind—I would love to represent Morocco in the Olympics!

 

Congratulations on your ’Beestly accomplishments,  Jackson, Noi, Noel, and Samir! You’re inspiring us all to “Be ’Beestly!”