A New Beginning in Nicaragua
In December 2020 we were presented with the opportunity to change the location of our lacrosse programs. After some debate we made the decision to move practices and study hall hours in Chiquilistagua from the Public School to the nearby Catholic School, Niño Jesus de Praga. Here is what you can expect coming out of this new partnership.
Upgraded Facilities: Partnering with the private school provides us access to nicer grass fields, a covered cement field, bigger classrooms for study hall hours, a computer lab, and Wi-Fi access on campus. This is a huge benefit for our student-athletes as it will provide enhanced resources to ensure academic success!
No student-athlete loses lacrosse, study hall or scholarship opportunities. While we may be physically leaving the public school we are not leaving any student-athletes without access to our programs. Anyone who was enrolled with LtN at the public school will still be able to attend practice, study hall and be eligible for a scholarship. The biggest difference is the commute. Our new school is located just ½ mile from the public school.
Exposure to new players: A new school means new players being introduced to lacrosse. In the first two weeks of school our coaches have hosted several introductory exhibitions open to all grades (K-11) with sign up forms waiting and ready at the end of each. So far the feedback has been incredible. We plan to follow that up with an introduction to lacrosse to the students during their PE classes.
While we are sad to be closing this chapter of our history with the public school, we are stoked to open a new one with Praga. We hope it will be even more beneficial to our student-athletes and allow us to introduce the sport to more young people. Eventually we hope to re-open programs at the public school and increase the amount of competition our players get!
A letter to Norman from Nicaragua Alum, Dorian
Dorian is 17 years old and participated in Nicaragua’s Lacrosse the Nations programs for 3 consecutive years through high school, namely one of LtN’s highest performing student-athletes within LtN’s Scholar Program - a program wherein 94% of scholarship recipients improved their overall GPA’s from the year prior.
Upon Dorian’s graduation from high school and from LtN’s lacrosse and scholar programs, Dorian was accepted to university in the city of Managua. In his first year in college, Dorian felt the need to reflect on his gratitude and learnings with Country Director, Norman.
Here is his note:
“I am currently in the first year of university, at the National University of Engineering, studying Computer Engineering. Many things have changed since I enrolled in lacrosse, from my personal self to my style and quality of life, things in which Lacrosse was a great help to me, all the teachings I have received with you have helped me grow as a person. Not to mention the great financial help that I got thanks to the scholarship program, my family was positively affected thanks to this great support. I can't forget to talk about the love I received, Lacrosse always treats all students with an exceptional love, a love that feels special to each one of us. And just like you all have given me your care, I have great appreciation and a huge space in my heart or you, the coaches, and my teammates - such is the case that I cannot imagine a life in which I was not in your organization.
“If I had the opportunity to choose again if I want to enter LtN, I would always say yes, every time they asked me. I love you all, each and every one of the members of this great project.
”Lacrosse never discriminated against me, never judged me, never singled me out. Lacrosse taught me that I can be myself, but much better. Lacrosse taught me that we all have a great person inside, but it only takes a little push, a little help to bring out our talent and skills.
“Lacrosse always saw something in me, even when I couldn't see it myself. You helped me see that spark that we all have, you helped me bring it out better than anyone. Lacrosse taught me respect, Lacrosse taught me discretion, Lacrosse taught me camaraderie, Lacrosse taught me to leave everything out there, Lacrosse taught me to apologize and communicate, Lacrosse taught me that I can always give more of myself.
“But the most important thing that Lacrosse taught me was that I was never alone, despite everything that happened, I always knew that I had a helping hand in any of the LtN members, you never turned your back on me, and that's what I most appreciation from you.
“You, my coaches, and my teammates were always willing to support me in whatever I needed, and that has no price. The scholarship program was undoubtedly one of the greatest aid that I have received from you, the mere fact that you paid for all the school supplies was a support that had a great positive impact on me and even on my family. For 3 consecutive years you paid for those expenses, for 3 years you supported my education, and I have made the most of it and I promise that I will not disappoint you in that regard.
“I cannot do more than thank you for everything that you have done for me and even for my family, I would not be where I am I would not be who I am if it had not been for you, I offer you infinite thanks, thousands of thanks for everything, you are one one of the best things that have happened in my entire life, thank you very much.”
— Dorian, 17, LtN Club Hope Alum
Louie’s Olympic-Sized Personal Success
I met Louie a year and a half ago when I first moved to Bocas. A hot-headed, sensitive and expressive twelve-year-old, Louie has always been historically hard on himself during practice. He is often volatile, his actions and his words wrought with negativity and frustration. This is particularly so when he messes up or when things go wrong in a drill or a scrimmage. And, as we know, this happens and will continue to happen as we work on our lacrosse skills… So, naturally the LtN Olympics were going to be an interesting skills test for Louie.
Quick rewind: Louie is an only child who started attending a school with his peers at the end of last year (up until then he was homeschooled on Isla Bastimentos where his family lives). One result of this change is that he is adjusting to interacting with other kids on a much more regular basis and in more structured environments than just free after-school time. Our practices fall under both of these situations. In effect, our programs push him to think, act and respond perhaps in different, more appropriate and controlled ways (and more often) than he is used to.
To offer an example, when Louie first started playing lacrosse, he had a tendency to throw his stick on the ground in anger whenever he’d mess up. As time has passed, Louie has managed to find other ways to control his attitude and emotions during lacrosse. A lot of this assistance has come from his teammates. Last week’s event of Tiro al Blanco was a great example of this personal and communal growth.
As Louie began the event, he soon became angry with himself because he wasn’t hitting the targets. Frustration showed in his actions and in his vocal expressions. After missing the first two cones, he took a breath and listened to the positive encouragement of his teammates. They were there building him up, not tearing him down like he was doing to himself inside his head. Then, we saw it: his composure changed. After pausing and listening to his team, Louie successfully hit the last two targets. This situation gave me the perfect segue to remind the LtN Panama team about positivity - particularly positive self-talk.
We discussed how one’s attitude (frustration and calmness) can severely impact one’s performance. For this reason, we need to remain calm and let mistakes roll off our backs when we find ourselves getting worked up. It was wonderful to see Louie learning from his teammates and acknowledging good practices for improving his performance, and his self-confidence.
After the discussion, Louie admitted that he was incredibly upset with himself in the beginning of the Tiro al Blanco event. But, he recognized that his frustration was not going to help him succeed. By listening to his teammates and by acknowledging how his attitude can affect his performance, Louie changed his outcome. He ended the event on a much better note! Now, that’s what a gold-medal day looks and feels like.
-Maria McDonough, Program Director