Dear Birdcage,

My name is Alexandra Fine, and I am a senior on the OPHS girls’ varsity lacrosse team. This is my fourth year playing on the varsity team, and well, let me say, I don’t think this is the kind of school year any of us were expecting. On March 13, 2020, we all thought we would have our one-week spring break a little early, but that one week has been awfully long. 

Starting this school year, I was looking forward to having one last season with my teammates — the long bus rides home from away games, the taco Thursdays at Coach Bob’s house, all of it. Even though we are still unsure how our season will look, we all hope to see you at some of our possible home lacrosse games as we finish our last year on this amazing team.

While playing lacrosse in a socially distanced fashion is not how I expected my senior season to go, it is important to remember that none of us are alone. We are all in this together. Despite the stay-at-home orders and the need to attend school in a remote format, we are all still Oak Park High School Eagles, and that is something that will always connect us.

This past week, the girls’ lacrosse team started conditioning after not playing lacrosse together for 208 days. While playing lacrosse now does not feel how it did in March, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Even in what seems like a negative time, it is important to remember there are still plenty of positives. 

For our team specifically, we have spent the last week and a half now just trying to get back in the swing of things. Everyday, we come to practice ready to run, and occasionally we fit in passing a ball around with the whole team. It is definitely not easy to learn how to wear a mask while catching and throwing, but the team is starting to get used to it. It has been great getting to see everyone and being able to get some team bonding time together.

Everyone tells you high school goes by in the blink of an eye, and I still cannot believe I have already reached my senior year and my last year of being able to play lacrosse for OPHS. Make sure to enjoy the little things — the trivial moments with your teammates, the pep talks with your coaches — because before you know it, you’ll be playing your last game and attending your last practice. 

During these times, it is important to reach out to others and ask for help if you need. Talk to your peers, check in on your teammates and friends and most importantly: check in on yourself. Understand that this is a new experience for everyone, and for many, it is not an easy one. 

I miss being able to play on the high school turf and getting to see all of you throughout the school day. Please do not hesitate if you need someone to talk to; I am available almost every day and would love to get to know you. 

Hang in there, Eagles, and I hope to see you all at the stadium if we return in the spring!

– Alexandra Fine, Oak Park Girls’ lacrosse senior