By Bridget Letukas
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/1/09
As the saying goes, you can’t choose your family.
That’s quite alright by Germantown Friends senior Avery Williamson.
Williamson, who recently selected Harvard University as her choice for post-secondary 
studies next fall, doesn’t hesitate to describe herself as “pretty lucky” for getting to play with younger sister, Iris, now a freshman on the squad.
Nor does she miss a beat in naming her older sister, Marissa, five years her senior, as her role model.
“I looked up to her a lot,” says Williamson. “I’m good friends with her and really respect her. She’s really dedicated to whatever she sets her mind to.”
The gracious and articulate Williamson is a model for dedication herself, devoting herself to a wide range of activities both on and off the field. Williamson, the Phillylacrosse/Longstreth Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week, serves as the editor of her school newspaper, is a Big Sister to fourth and fifth graders, is co-leader of the Multi-Cultural Student Union, and President of the Girls Athletic Council.
She was also named captain of both the soccer team, which sported its best record this year, and was accepted to a host of universities, including Harvard, Yale, Northwestern, Michigan, University of Chicago, as well as others.
Regardless of her own impressive record, Williamson can’t seem but help to divert attention from her and onto others. If it’s not her own sisters, it’s her teammates. She’s particularly complementary of her fellow seniors, Lydia Kring and Camilla Warren.
According to Williamson, this small core of seniors has a family-like bond.
“We’re close on and off the field,” she said. “We’ve all gone to GFS since kindergarten.”
Perhaps the familial spirit is what is driving the Tigers clan, under the direction of coach Katie Bergstrom to its current 5-0 start (8-3 overall) in the Friends Schools League. In fact, Williams credits the diverse make-up of the group, as well as their ability to get along, as one the ingredients of her team’s success.
“We’re really close,” said Williamson, a defender. “We’re composed of a lot of freshman and sophomores, and we’re not based on one really strong player. That makes us more of a threat.”
As Williamson moves toward post-season play and her eventual graduation, she is quick to point out the importance of teamwork – and how it is a lesson to be carried into her future.
“You can’t do things alone. You have to work together. Even in your family, you have to be on the same page.”
To nominate a player for the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week, contact us at golax@phillylacrosse.com
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