News

On Tuesday, November 19, three Newton Country Day seniors signed their letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level: Lillian Pergola ‘25 (Boston College, field hockey), Bianca Hajer ‘25 (Holy Cross, rowing), and Elsa Cressotti ‘25 (Northeastern University, rowing).

Lillian Pergola ‘25 entered Newton Country Day in the 7th grade and is a co-captain of the Varsity field hockey team. In this year’s season as a senior, she was awarded with the team’s Most Valuable Player award as well as EIL All-League honors and EIL Co-Player of the year. Last year, as a junior, she again earned EIL All-League honors as well as a NEPSAC Honorable Mention. Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, who both played ice hockey for Boston College, she looks forward to continuing her family’s legacy. “I’ve grown up wanting to go to Boston College. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember,” she shared. She also spoke of her passion for her sport: “I love playing a team sport where everyone has their role on the field. I feel happiest when I’m playing. It’s something that clears my head, and I really enjoy it.” She is grateful to her coaches Alison Vander Vort and Kim Southall, as well as her advisor, Assistant Head of School Nicki Noel, for supporting her through her time as a student-athlete at Newton Country Day. 

A passion for rowing came easily to Bianca Hajer ‘25, who began her Newton Country Day career as a freshman. “I love the team culture that rowing fosters because of how tough it is mentally and physically, but I also love the dedication it takes to succeed and how it feels to win.” A visit to Holy Cross helped her in her decision to commit. “When I met girls on the [Holy Cross rowing] team, I really felt at home and I felt like it was the team culture and community that I really wanted to be a part of. I felt like it could be my home for the next four years.” Hajer noted that her experience as a student at Newton Country Day was central to her growth as an athlete. “Dr. [Dana] Comi really helped me find my confidence in the classroom, which helped me find my confidence in sports.”

Elsa Cressotti ‘25 looked all the way back to starting at Newton Country Day as a 5th grader in reflecting on her time at the school. “Ms. [Emily] Horwitz was my teacher in Middle School – she taught me a lot of things that have stuck with me since then.” Now, in the Upper School, she credits her advisor, Ms. Patty Rockensies, as a main source of support: “She’s an angel. She’s helped me with so much that I’ve struggled with.” Northeastern’s crew team and rigorous academics led Cresotti to make the choice to commit. She looks forward to joining the team for the sport that she loves: “It’s a sport that’s been in my family – my mom’s a rower – so whenever I get out on the water, it’s just a feeling of wanting to make her proud, and wanting to find a place where I can really be myself and be at peace.” 

The celebratory signing event was crowded with dozens of family members, friends, faculty and staff, and coaches to watch the three student-athletes make their college commitments and wish them well on the next steps in their academic and athletic journeys.