Note: Hope Athletics is profiling student-athletes from all 22 of its varsity sports throughout the 2015-16 school year and highlighting their pursuits and achievements in the classroom. Seven stories will be shared during NCAA Division III Week from April 4-10.
Story by Dean Holzwarth and photo by Alan Babbitt
Young children can have a profound impact on the lives of anyone they come in contact with.
Hope College women's lacrosse player Abigale Cassella is discovering that first-hand during her current semester of student-teaching.
"I've always loved kids and just the energy that they bring to life," said Cassella, a senior attack for the Flying Dutch from Okemos, Michigan (Okemos HS).
"The way they look at life is the reason why I decided to be an education major. They get really excited about the little things, and I think that's something I enjoy and appreciate."
Cassella, an English Language Arts K-8 Education major, has been student teaching for a second grade class at Holland Heights Elementary School this semester.
The two-time member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Honor Roll said student teaching has been an overwhelming, yet gratifying, experience.
"It's been wonderful and I'm learning a lot," Cassella said. "The amount of learning you have to do each day is insane. You are basically thrown into it, and you just have to learn a lot with trial and error, but it's been really great.
"I love my students there, and their passion for life and the little things they point out in my day that I wouldn't have seen through children's eyes is so wonderful."
Cassella is enthralled by the English language. The combining of different words in order to communicate feelings and emotions is an aspect she continues to be amazed by in the lives of the adolescents she helps.
"I just love the way people can express themselves in words," she said. "And seeing kids develop that and learn how to express themselves by using words in written language is just something that I think is beautiful and an art form in itself.
"That's why I like the English side of education, but there are so many components to education that I'm falling in love with even right now in teaching. Just the energy and passion."
Cassella brings that same energy and passion to the classroom and the athletic field.
It is a trait that Hope women's lacrosse coach Kim Vincent has witnessed the past three years.
"She is such a phenomenal leader with a big heart on and off the field and her personality is key to the culture of our team." Vincent said. "She's a real people person and she enjoys people and relationships. She's committed to excellence in anything she does and she does an excellent job of managing her commitment with the team and school as a senior education student-teacher."
While some student-athletes struggle to juggle the demands of school and athletics, Cassella embraces the challenge.
She said it has helped to improve her dedication in both areas.
"It's actually a blessing to have a sport and also have school work because I think when you are in a sport you have to pour so much into the sport you're doing at that moment," she said. "And when you are in school you have to pour everything into this moment because I can't do it later when I'm at practice. It's really taught me to pour myself into each individual moment and do my best in those moments because it's really all I have."
Cassella has received unlimited support along the way while pursuing her passion for education.
"All of the education professors at Hope have been so encouraging," Cassella said. "We have supervisors who check in on us weekly and make sure we are doing OK. Friends of mine who are in education at other schools don't have that same support."
While Cassella's demands have increased with the start of lacrosse season, she continues to maintain her work ethic.
"It's important to strive to do your best in everything you do, regardless of whose watching," Cassella said.
