Page 5 - Charlotte Latin Sports Magazine - Fall 2020

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear CLS Hawk Families,
What a difference a year can make! In October of 2019, I wrote about a variety of sports activities that had our stu- dent-athletes and coaching staff hopping from event to event. I can still hear the sounds of the CLS Pep Band and the cheers of loving fans, can almost smell the delicious foods of Touchdown Tailgate, and can see the glow of Friday night lights. Now, fall 2020 looks and feels very different. Masks are uncomfortable, distancing can feel lonely, and competitions can even seem uneventful. I challenge you to find the silver (or Latin blue?) linings this year. Instead
of focusing on the discomfort and nuisances, let’s consider a new lens to COVID by increasing our awareness of the many blessings fall sports continue to offer and hopefully, this time next year we will have all of our activities and events back in play!
One blessing that I am thrilled to share is the completion of both the tennis complex, located on the Levine Athletic Campus, as well as The Strength Center, located adjacent to the Beck Student Activities Center and Patten Stadium. These facilities benchmark the completion of two major priorities of the Vision2020 capital campaign, proving that nothing can slow down our dedication and progress — not even a pandemic!
In addition to the growth of our campus, we continue to celebrate our senior Hawks who are having a memorable season — likely not their ideal senior year but again, memorable, right? Throughout the month of October, we held senior recognition events for all nine of our varsity teams and honor our first round of collegiate athletic commitments in November.
I am so proud of all of our Latin Hawks, particularly those in Upper School who are setting the bar high for younger generations to follow. In addition, I want to thank the Charlotte Latin Athletics program staff and our amazing Boost- er Club volunteers who have spent countless hours making it possible for students to practice and compete. With what seemed a simple goal of being able to play, our staff and volunteers have not only achieved, but exceeded, all expectations.
Thank you, Latin community, for making my family and me feel like a part of this team. We realize that we are blessed to be a part of such a special place. Go Hawks!
Sincerely,
Charles D. Baldecchi Head of School
CHARLOTTE LATIN BOOSTER CLUB SPORTS MAGAZINE | FALL 2020 3