When Kids Find Their Place: Two Stories of Resilience From Colombia and Nicaragua

Santiago: Stepping Up When the Game Changes

At Jacalito School in Tenjo, Colombia, Santiago has become a quiet force in the LtN community. He’s the kind of kid who shows up with consistency, humility, and heart. He’s the teammate who leads not with volume, but with example.

This season brought a challenge he didn’t expect. An injury sidelined him from playing, forcing him off the field he loves. But instead of stepping away, Santiago chose a different path.

He stepped up.

During the opening round of La Liga LtN Colombia, Santiago volunteered as a referee. A role that demanded confidence, composure, and a whole new perspective on the sport. From the sidelines, he’s discovering leadership skills he didn’t know he had, a deeper sense of responsibility, and a renewed connection to his team.

His resilience is exactly why our programs matter. When kids have a safe, consistent space to grow, they learn that setbacks don’t define them — their response does.

And Santiago is responding with courage, commitment, and heart.

Bayardo: Finding Belonging Through Lacrosse

In Nicaragua, seven‑year‑old Bayardo is carving out his own path alongside his older brother. Born with a hearing‑related injury that affects his speech, he has faced teasing at school that has shaken his confidence and made learning feel isolating.

But on the lacrosse field, everything shifts.

Here, Bayardo is surrounded by teammates who see him for who he is — capable, joyful, and full of heart. They explain drills when he needs clarity. They encourage him. They make sure he always feels included. In this space, he isn’t defined by his challenges. He’s defined by his effort, his smile, and the way he lights up when he’s part of the team.

For Bayardo, lacrosse has become more than a sport. It’s a place of belonging. A place where he feels safe, valued, and supported.

Why These Stories Matter

Santiago and Bayardo’s journeys are different, but they share a common thread: the power of consistent, caring coaches who show up week after week. That consistency is what builds trust. It’s what creates environments where kids feel brave enough to lead, confident enough to try, and safe enough to be themselves.

And that consistency is only possible because of our donors.

Your gifts fuels programs where kids discover resilience, belonging, and the belief that they matter. When you support LtN, you make stories like these possible. Stories of courage, connection, and community.

Nicole's Summer Interning with LtN in Panama

I arrived in Bocas with no expectations and was immediately obsessed with everything LtN and the islands had to offer. Although I had heard a lot about LtN and Bocas from all the University of Richmond Spider Alumni who are currently and have previously been involved, there were still a lot of missing pieces I was eager to learn for myself.  LtN Panama Country Director and Richmond Grad (‘19), Maria, and LtN Panama Program Director Caleigh immediately got Jaira (fellow Summer Intern) and I settled in and started showing us the ropes. The day after we arrived we had our first practice and got to see how amazing the student-athletes truly are. The players welcomed us with open arms and were so eager to learn more about the game. The first week was filled with learning about Bocas, the players, and all the behind the scenes work that goes into keeping LtN successful. 

After our first week, five players from the Franklin & Marshall Women’s Lacrosse team came for a service trip. I learned along with them even more things the islands has to offer. I had two favorite parts of that week: One, was traveling to Zapatilla where we had a day of deep boarding and snorkeling on the quiet island, and the second, was playing soccer with the local kids of Isla Solarte after our mornings of repainting the school. After they left is when I really started to understand the islands. I can truly say we never had a boring day; whether we went surfing, diving, or just riding around... 

Maria was kind enough to show me one of the local surf breaks on Isla Carenero, the Point (I took full advantage of her kindness and pulled her along with me even on the flat days). I have to say, this is one of my favorite spots in all of Bocas. Along with the amazing surf we spent many days at different beaches; whether it was on Isla Carenero, up at Paunch, at Paki Point, or way up at Drago. While the beaches and the scenery were absolutely amazing, so was the food. We quickly found our favorite places and made it a habit to go to them constantly. 

With the amazing scenery, weather, and food there was still so much more Bocas had to offer - the community. We quickly got to know the players and the students well, along with some of their families. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning we were welcomed with big smiles from the students at Escuela de Solarte where we held English and physical education classes. It was the kind of work that never truly felt like work. There was never a dreadful day, regardless of the tropical weather, because of these kids. 

After school we typically headed to grab a coffee and finalized our practice plan and charla. Then, we headed out onto the field. Some of the kids would always beat us out there no matter how early we headed out. The players are amazing. They always showed up with big smiles and were so excited for what that day's practice held. Sizzla, a Bocas native, LtN coach, and good friend, would lead the charla’s on life lessons anywhere from accountability to being a good friend and then make sure that it was incorporated into that practice. It was amazing to see how the kids took those lessons and put them into action immediately. The practices were pure joy.

My time with LtN and Bocas flew by thanks to the amazing people I met along the way. I cannot thank them enough for welcoming me and teaching me so much about the amazing community that is Bocas. Maria had asked me a few times what my least favorite part was and the answer was, and still is, the same: nothing.

Alumni Spotlight: Caroline Rath Finds Her Balance at New Balance

Today we’d like to shine the LtN Alumni spotlight on forLtN Panama’s former Program Director, Caroline Rath, who is making incredible strides - both physically and professionally. 

After graduating from The Ohio State University as a Division I field hockey player in 2018, Caroline moved to Bocas del Toro, Panama, where she piloted Lacrosse the Nations’ second international site for 13 months. Since leaving LtN, she has dedicated her early professional career to the sports industry. With nearly five years of event operations management under her belt, Caroline now works for New Balance.  

As a New Balance Technical Sales and Field Representative, Caroline is responsible for over 30 ‘accounts’ (stores) that sell New Balance products within her territory of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and South Jersey. Since Caroline works in a hybrid manner - 2 days at an at-home office and the other days on the road traveling from her home in Philadelphia to her accounts every week. These accounts include a slew of New Balance stores, running specialty stores, REIs and Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

So what does Caroline actually do? Caroline’s work duties range in scope and scale: she is the face of New Balance marketing for her territory regarding social media curation, she manages shoe launches, updates all store staff on new products through technical clinics and group runs (literally, a run) to demo the products, and assists with all major global run events sponsored by New Balance (ex: the New York City and London Marathons, Indoor and Outdoor Nationals, and several half marathons). Needless to say, Caroline is a busy bee, working hard to grow the New Balance brand and grow herself. 

 “What I love about this role is the flexibility and the bandwidth that I have to fine-tune my own discovery process, my strengths, and passions. I love working with people as I work cross-centrally within New Balance, raising awareness of the brand and tying it into my passions of mental health, nutrition, and fitness. This role allows me to develop personally and professionally because I can dip my toes into where I potentially find myself down the line.” 

Caroline’s goal is to join the Global Marketing or Merchandising Team at New Balance. She is excited by the prospect of creating the blueprints for New Balance running events, acknowledging that “it would be an ideal setting for [her], and [her] current position puts [her] foot in the door in terms of reaching the next step.” Recently, Caroline has certainly taken many steps… 

This past April, Caroline ran the D.C. Cherry Blossom 10-mile Race in dedication to Lacrosse the Nations. Through this race, she raised nearly $1k to kickstart an English support program at our site in Panama. Next up on her list? The New York City Marathon this upcoming season.  

We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Caroline on all that she has accomplished and all that we know she will in the future. We are rooting for you Caroline, in all that you do personally and professionally! Thank you for being an incredible role model for all LtN student-athletes, volunteers, and our greater LtN Team.

-Maria McDonough, Panama Country Director