Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Lainey Shahady

Oswego IL

01 October, 2021

12:10 PM

Description

The girl's volleyball program underwent a major change this summer with Adam Thurlwell stepping down as head coach and new hire Dina Beamon stepping in to replace him. When a transition at the head varsity coach level takes place in any sport, especially with a new hire outside of the program, the seniors and leaders on the team must play a crucial role in both executing the game plan and culture of the new coach and being open and communicative enough to help the new head coach with the transition. Fortunately for Dina, she has had senior captain Lainey Shahady to fulfill all of these roles and more, which is why she is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week. Lainey's journey to volleyball began in the 8th grade when she decided to go out for the team at Bednarcik junior high and immediately found joy in the sport. So much so, Lainey decided to join club volleyball after that season as well. It was during Lainey's sophomore year when she decided to take the sport more seriously. "I joined a new club, which was a much bigger club, and I was able to make their 1st team," says Lainey. Perseverance has helped Lainey go from making the Freshman B team to the JV team as a sophomore, to now a varsity captain as a senior. Lainey's parents, Alysia and Ed Shahady say, "She has continuously worked hard to improve her game and communicate with her coaches, focused on the success of the team before herself." New head coach Dina Beamon understands just what a critical role Lainey has played in implementing a new system and culture, saying, "I honestly am so grateful to have had her in this transition year." She goes on to say, "Lainey has been open, honest, and direct at the same time about what she thinks the team may need and to what she may need to bring to the team. I am honestly extremely sad I only get to spend such a short time with Lainey, as well as the other seniors, as they are amazing players and people." As a sister and daughter, Lainey has always been a leader and someone who shows a tremendous amount of empathy for those around her. The second of four daughters, Lainey, "has always been the 'momma' of the group," says Alysia and Ed. They go on to add, "She is servant-hearted and motivated to care for the well-being of people." These qualities are why Dina believes Lainey was voted as captain by her peers, saying, "I think she was voted as captain because she is extremely positive, works hard, and is such a force on the court. She relates to her teammates by meeting them where they are at in her way, which works to her advantage." Lainey has always been servant-minded, particularly as it relates to kids. "Lainey has always had a love for children," says Alysia and Ed. "She has always babysat, beginning with her younger sisters and continuing for families in our community. This past summer, Lainey nannied for a family with a newborn baby, their first child." It is that love for serving others and working with children that made Lainey choose to go into pediatric nursing. Although not set on a college, Lainey is currently looking at schools in Texas, where she has family she visits. With a 4.2 G.P.A., Lainey will have her choice of colleges to attend. Math teacher Brian Chandler, who taught Lainey for Pre-Calc and Algebra II, believes Lainey will thrive in the field, saying, "Lainey was always a hard worker and willing to go out of her way to help other students in the class who might be struggling on a particular subject. Her mentality of putting others before herself, coupled with her intelligence and calm demeanor, make her an ideal candidate for pediatric nursing." Despite having to deal with a pandemic during the middle of her high school years, and now helping transition the volleyball program to a new coach, Lainey has managed to not only take it all in stride but excel and better herself as not only an athlete and student, but as a person as well. Looking back at the most peculiar four years of any generation of high school student, Lainey is still joyful about what OE was able to do for her, and offers this advice to future Wolves, saying, "It seems like a really big school but you find your group of people. Everyone here is super friendly and welcoming, so don't be afraid to make new friends." Lainey will continue to be a valuable resource and asset to the program as it looks to make a run at the end of the year conference tournament, and perhaps make some noise in the playoffs during Coach Beamon's first season.