Avery Hawker (’24) has created large ripples throughout the school’s community. Always exemplifying unheard leadership alongside her many responsibilities, such as swimming for the Varsity Swim Team, Hawker has recently committed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It comes as little surprise, due to her being a fantastic swimmer, student and leader. Hawker puts a ginormous effort into captaining the competitive team.
“I’ve been a captain since I was a sophomore, so it’s been fun. It’s nice to know the kids for years and watch them get faster. I love swimming and so I like when other people get excited about it,” Hawker said.
She loves her team as well, seeing them as companions there to support one-another, no matter the reason for joining the team.
“I think being a captain helps me lead others in that direction of enjoying the sport while whether or not it’s competitive or if it’s just for exercise, but I think the team camaraderie is pretty good,” Hawker said. “Our team is really good, and we have other captains as well that are really helpful, but I think this year especially, we’ve done a better job about including everyone…and doing more group activities [so] that everyone feels like they’re a part of the team.”
Her teammates also find her leadership skills inspiring.
“She’s [Hawker] extremely hardworking, she sets goals and she always achieves them…She’s going on to do great things,” said Adeline Coutier (’25), Co-Captain of the swim team.
When Hawker is not practicing her butterfly or distance freestyle, she is committed to her education. Hawker is a respected student of the International Baccalaureate program (IB). Even with her busy schedule, she always finds time for encouraging and inspiring others to learn and practice swimming.
“Swimming takes up most of my time. [On top of my school work,] I do odd jobs for my family, I do swimming lessons as well,” Hawker said.
Hawker’s glowing reputation does not go unnoticed by the teachers and staff.
“She’s an exceptional leader. She leads by modeling good behavior. She also motivates the people around her and she’s very organized, with a massive desire to succeed, which rubs off on everybody,” said Ms. Rubenstein, the coach of the varsity swim team.
Looking towards the future, she is excited to further her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study either Neuroscience or psychology.
“”Wisconsin was actually my top choice…The school’s great, the campus is gorgeous and Madison is a great city, I’m really excited,” Hawker said. “I want to get my doctorate degree, but physical therapy is also interesting and I still have a little time to decide.”
