Forge Teams' last Teen Leadership meeting of the year on June 10th celebrated the accomplishments of our Teen Leaders, saluted our graduating seniors, trained for summer camp leadership, ate pizza, and planned for ways to increase outreach and build community next season!
Teen Leaders who were elevated in the group, exemplifying Forge Teams core values included:
Ari Etin – Community
Matthew Chaves – Integrity
Tyson Deck – Perseverance
Ava Ellis-Furlong – Accountability
Phoebe Todd – Resilience
Coach Jen explained these core values and how each of our Teen Leaders had demonstrated their value in action over this past year.
In addition, Forge Teen Leaders who contributed their fencing community were honored with a service award:
Justin Mol – Carrboro High School
Aiden Cohlmeyer – Forge Armory
Phoenix Roberts – The School for Creative Studies
Graduating seniors also were honored with a group salute. We thank them:
Mack Bertrand – Durham Tech
Matthew Chaves – Brandeis University
Gavin Clark -- The University of the South (Sewanee)
Sophia Crowder – University of Virginia
Evan Dysart-Chappell – NC State University
Kevin Kappes – t.b.a.
Will Mueller – NC State University
Phoebe Todd – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Nate Zaytseva – Elon College
A special shout out went to Phoebe Todd and Matthew Chaves. Matthew will be fencing as part of Brandeis’ fencing team next season, and Phoebe will be trying out for the UNC squad. Their contributions have been significant and the entire Forge team will miss them. Their fencing journey will continue at Summer Nationals and beyond!
This year’s Teen Leaders also reflected on this year’s learning and how they would like to extend Forge Teams values into the fencing club and wider community next year. They have terrific energy and insight – we are looking forward to their continued leadership!