Passing the Torch: Fay Alumni Women in Sports

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Lower School students had the privilege of hearing from nine alumni who once wore the Fay jersey.

Five of these young women returned to campus to participate in a live panel to share their athletic journeys. The panel featured Fay Admission Officer Anikka Fredericksen ’15, who coaches varsity volleyball and basketball at Fay; Lauren Glaser ’20, who plays ice hockey for Boston College; and Carina Liberatore ’20, who plays soccer for Holy Cross. Rounding out the group were Parker Friedman ’23, who will play soccer at Hobart and William Smith next year, and Ali Feingold ’24, a multi-sport athlete playing field hockey and lacrosse, and racing on the ski team at Algonquin Regional High School. Together, they took turns sharing memories, reflecting on how they overcame athletic struggles, and discussing some of the experiences they have enjoyed throughout their sports careers.

Several other alumni shared their perspectives via video, reflecting on how they learned to compete, accept coaching, and handle constructive feedback at Fay. This group included Meg Fearey ’14, who played field hockey for Middlebury College and won the NESCAC and NCAA National Championships all four years of her career, and India Shay ’15, who ran track for three years and played field hockey for four years at Trinity College before starting her current career in communications for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. Video messages also came from Sophie Student ’16, who played lacrosse for Virginia Tech and UNC Chapel Hill, earning a 2025 National Championship alongside All-American and All-ACC Honor Roll accolades, and Alicia Guo ’20, who is currently playing volleyball at Harvard University after beginning her volleyball career right here at Fay.

The panel originated from an idea by Primary School P.E. teacher Jack Wong to showcase some of Fay’s female athletes for the Primary School students. Ninth grade captains spoke to the Primary School students, and that led to the alumni panel for Lower School students. “Welcoming these athletes back to Fay wasn’t just a celebration of our athletic history; it was a view of the legacy our current students are stepping into,” says Director of Alumni Relations Willie Waters. “It was inspiring to watch our young athletes see themselves reflected in the stories, the earnest effort, and the triumphs of the alumni who wore a Fay jersey before them.”