Every year, the Hidden Valley Girls Basketball team gives a teacher their jersey that has impacted them the most. On teacher appreciation night, January 17, 2025, the lady titans played their rivals, Cave Spring, at home. At halftime during the rivalry game, the team took time to recognize the teachers they chose to gift their jerseys to. Each of the teachers chosen helped a particular player in some way.
This exchange has been a tradition for two years now, thanks to Coach Webster, as she joined the girls’ basketball program in 2023. Under her leadership, the team has focused on team bonding and building traditions to help them on and off the court. There were seven seniors on the girls’ basketball team this year. Their senior night was on February 21 during a game against William Byrd. They were recognized for their accomplishments over the years and future plans.
Aliza Harner (12) asked Mrs. Newbern to be her teacher to wear her jersey this year. “From the time I started high school she’s been like a second mom to me. I never actually had her as a teacher, but she was my lacrosse coach, and she always took care of me and everyone around her,” said Harner. Mrs. Newbern is an outgoing and fun person, traits which add to her supportive nature. Harner states, “She is very approachable and easy to talk to, and that’s why I chose her to wear my jersey.”
Dotti Dorlini (11) has been a part of Lady Titans’ Basketball for a long time now. “I chose Mrs. Donathan, my French IV teacher, to wear my jersey this year. She has always been a teacher I can talk to, and she’s super funny. Mrs. Donathan always brightens up my day when I walk into her classroom. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be taking my fifth year of French next year,” stated Dorlini. Teacher’s support in and outside of the classroom greatly impact student’s lives, whether academically, mentally, or on the court.
Although they have only been doing the jersey tradition for 2 years, Harner says, “every time that game comes around, where teachers are recognized, the team morale boosts and helps remind us that we are students before athletes and how much our teachers have impacted us throughout the year[s].” This new tradition helps athletes to reflect on and recognize the teachers that have helped them become who they are today. “It has become a really fun and exciting tradition!” stated Dorlini.
Overall, this tradition has illustrated how appreciated Hidden Valley teachers are and brought the team closer together.
