On December 9th, 2016, Jenna Kolodny ’17 and Skylar Hunnewell ’17 were both awarded the New Era Pinstripe Bowl Award for soccer and lacrosse, respectively. Every year, the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) awards student athletes with outstanding athletic and academic achievements through this prestigious award.

On top of winning the award, they were both given the opportunity to attend the New Era Pinstripe Bowl between the University of Pittsburgh Panthers and the Northwestern University Wildcats, held at Yankee Stadium, with the latter team winning 31-24.

For Kolodny, a three-season athlete who plays soccer, basketball, and flag football, winning the award was a great way for her hard work to be remembered.

“I work really hard in school and sports. It was great to be recognized for that after four years,” she said. “It felt really good to know I left a lasting impact.”

Kolodny is the first Girls’ Varsity Soccer player to be awarded since Annie Eckstein became the team’s head coach five years ago.

Hunnewell, who is the captain of both the swimming and lacrosse teams, shared similar sentiments.

“After the past four years, it’s great to be recognized by the PSAL for all my hard work,” Hunnewell said. Balancing sports with schoolwork can be challenging, with practices every day and away games. Kolodny makes an effort to adjust her work ethic in order to handle the stresses that come with being a varsity athlete, such as staying fit and performing well, while simultaneously keeping your grades up.

“I work out nearly every day, and it’s difficult to balance sports with schoolwork, but my best tip would be not to take your free time for granted, whether it be free periods or on the train ride to school,” said Hunnewell.

There was a dinner and ceremony on December 13th, 2016 during the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium to honor the fifty-five students selected.

Kolodny plans to continue playing basketball at either the club or varsity level in college, and Hunnewell will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, where she hopes to join a swim or lacrosse club.