Ethel Walker Athletic Council

Encourage, Respect, Lead

The Ethel Walker Athletic Council (EWAC) is a student organization that strives to improve and develop leadership skills, sportsmanship, responsibility, competitiveness, a positive attitude, and an understanding of what it means to be a leader of Walker’s athletic program.

Each spring, student-athletes are nominated to apply by coaches, current EWAC members, and/or the athletic, dance, and riding departments. The members selected represent a wide variety of co-curriculars at school and spend the year growing as a group that represents the entire student body and shares their pride in Walker’s outside of school with the greater community. EWAC has raised funds for Special Olympics, held pep rallies for the school, and spends the year promoting the importance of physical education, teamwork, and the responsibility of being a good role model. Several of these members go on to participate in their respective sport in college, with many being named captain. These opportunities exponentially grow as they continue to lead in all areas of their lives.

Maya A. '26

Avon, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

Cicerone, African Drumming, Bell Choir, Peer Tutor

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

When young women hold leadership roles, it provides them with a platform to use their voices and add a new perspective. It allows others to envision themselves as leaders, empowering them to step up and use their voices as well.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope that students at Walker’s will see me as a role model for who they want to be. I also hope they will be inspired by my leadership on EWAC to create change to make Walker’s athletics more immersed in our community.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Crystal Dunn on the USA women’s soccer team!

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I am half Brazilian and can understand Portuguese!

Ava D. '25

Avon, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

Big 7, Head of Habitat for Humanity, Cicerone

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

Having young women in leadership roles helps support a more inclusive environment that encourages other women to join leadership positions.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

You’re here to have fun and enjoy your time at Walker’s — don’t let one bad day stop you.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Michael Phelps.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I’ve been swimming for 13 years but during that time I also did karate.

Emma E. '26

Amber F. '25

Deerfield, NH

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

Bike Club, Card Club, Proctor, Cicerone

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

I think it is important for young women to hold leadership roles because it prepares them to take on bigger roles outside of our community. It also gives young women an opportunity to be role models and build their confidence.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope other students will take away the idea that going outside of your comfort zone helps you grow as a student and an athlete. I hope that they take away the understanding that you can be a strong competitor and still be kind to others while showing good sportsmanship.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Stephen Curry.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I am really good at claw machine games.

Jenna H. '25

Simsbury, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

African Drumming, Cicerone, FSA Club Soccer

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

I think it is important for young women to hold leadership roles because it helps them be better prepared for their futures. They can build up important confidence and learn skills and what it entails to be a leader. This will help as they grow up and do things, such as get jobs, etc.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope I can inspire other students at Walker’s to want to be in a leadership position. When I was a freshman, I knew EWAC was something I wanted to do when I got older because I would watch my friends succeed in that leadership position. I hope I can do the same for other students!

What is your favorite sports team?

My favorite sports team is the Boston Bruins. I am a huge fan and have been since I was 10 years old!

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I have five dogs!

Allison H. '25

Burlington, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

African Drumming, Orchestra, Special Olympics Basketball, Cicerone, FSA Club Soccer

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

I believe that it is important for young women to hold leadership roles because it gives a different perspective that allows change to be made for everyone. In addition, having a leadership role helps young women develop necessary skills that we can use later in life.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope that the other members on EWAC and I can help to make athletics fun and emphasize how important they are to us individually and as a school. I also hope to set an example for younger members of our community to involve themselves in all of the opportunities and leadership roles offered at Walker’s.

What is your favorite sports team?

UConn Women’s Basketball, U.S. Women’s National Team

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I was a certified soccer referee.

Izzy H. '25

Newtown, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

Big 7, Cicerone, Co-Head of Dance Club, Co-Head of Justice League, Head of Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Art Council Representative, Co-Head of Unified Arts

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

Young women have always been told that we can’t be leaders. However, the opportunity to hold many leadership positions at Walker’s has given me confidence in my skills and helped me grow personally and communally for the organization I am a part of. I think that teaching young women leadership helps us break traditional gender stereotypes and boundaries so that women can bring innovative ideas to new groups.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope other Walker’s students can see my love while leading teams. Whether cheering on other athletic teams, giving a standing ovation to actors and singers, or just yelling out compliments from across the dance studios, I want to bring joy and love to every position I have at Walker’s. But I find showing love during sports is essential because of my sometimes harsh past dance experience. I want to ensure every athlete is shown love and support. At the root of athletics is love and passion for your sport!

What are your favorite sports teams?

My favorite dance groups are Brent Street X Paris Cavanagh (featured on America’s Got Talent) and CDK (choreographed for a viral Gap commercial with Troye Sivan).

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I have worn the same bracelet every day for about four years.

Anngelina M. '25

Farmington, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

Co-Head of Cicerones, Co-Head of Investment Club, Co-Captain of Equestrian Team

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

I believe it is important for young women to hold leadership roles because it gives us opportunity to make decisions that impact others positively, contribute significantly to the world around us, and prepares us to face challenges in the future.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

What I hope other students at Walter’s take away from my leadership on EWAC is an acceptance and appreciation that learning through failure and understanding the mistakes you make are an integral part of finding the path to success. Growth through failure and understanding and learning to overcome is important. Fully appreciating the joy and thrill of success is also knowing the feeling of failure.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Lillie Keenan.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I used to live in California.

Marlo M. '25

Avon, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

African Drumming, Rock Band, Art Council, Writing Fellow

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

Young women gain confidence through leadership. There are many fields (sports, science, business, etc.) that seek to exclude women from leadership roles. Showing young women that those roles are attainable is an important step towards dismantling that exclusion.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope to be a friendly face that everyone can bring their thoughts and perspectives to. I have a quieter leading style, but I still like to guide and assist those around me through my actions. I hope that I can get people feeling excited about both sports and the arts, and our school spirit overall!

What is your favorite sports team?

My favorite sports team is Clemson football.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I’ve swam with sharks.

Ayden R. '26

Manchester, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

African Drumming, Bell Choir, Cicerone

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

I think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles because it allows them to advocate for women’s rights and allows women to showcase what they are capable of doing.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope other students realize it’s good to come out of your comfort zone and try new things, as well as to speak up about topics you are passionate about.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Alex Morgan because she is a great example of a teammate and a leader. She sticks up for her teammates and takes action when she sees there needs to be change.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I am an only child.

Ella S. '25

Canton, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

Cicerone, Co-Head of Groutfits, African Drumming, Orchestra

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

Leadership is such an important and powerful skill to have. At Walker’s, where young women can take on so many different leadership roles, I think its important for young women to want to get involved in these roles so, in the real world, they know how to speak up for what they believe in.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope that this inspires students at Walker’s to want to take on a leadership roles — whatever they may be. I hope that this encourages students to use their voices and want to make changes in the community. Lastly, I hope that my leadership on EWAC influences the Walker’s community to show their spirit and pride for Walker’s athletics.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite sports team is UConn women’s basketball.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I used to ride horses and cheerlead.

Violet T. '26

Naugatuck, CT

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

Asian Student Collective, Proctor

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

I think it is important for young women to hold leadership roles because it allows them to grow their confidence and gain the necessary skills to take on bigger roles in the future. It also allows them to inspire other young women to be a leader just like them. This is a great opportunity to show that we as women are powerful and can accomplish so many things.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I hope that I can inspire others in the Walker’s community to come out of their comfort zone and want to be involved in a leadership position.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Coco Gauff.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

A fun fact about me is that I can make a three-leaf clover with my tongue.

Caroline T. '26

Simsbury, CT

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

It’s important for young women to have leadership roles so other young girls have someone to look up to. In addition, it’s important for women to feel comfortable and confident while holding a leadership position — to do this, our voices need to be heard and respected.

What do you hope other students at Walker’s take away from your leadership on EWAC?

I want other students to take away that you don’t always need to be the loudest, most outgoing person to be considered a leader. As long as you’re being your authentic self, people will recognize you for who YOU are.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is Erin Matson, who coaches UNC field hockey.

What is one fun fact about you that may surprise people?

I love figure skating.

Rachel (Yixuan) Z. '25

Zhengzhou, Henan, China

What other clubs or organizations are you a part of?

ACES Girls K-pop Club, Cicerone, Proctor, Advancement Ambassador, Investment Club

Why do you think it’s important for young women to hold leadership roles?

We can have a voice for women’s benefits and support women’s rights.