Wayland Athlete Recognized by MIAA/NESN

Triple-sport athlete and Wayland High School junior Isabel Schwartz earned the distinction of being named the MIAA/NESN Athlete of the Month in April. The award will be handed out during a banquet on May 30.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Assocation/New England Sports Network award is given monthly to "one male and one female student-athlete who display excellence in the areas of academics, athletics and community service," according to a press release.

Schwartz is a member of WHS's lacrosse, swimming and cross-country teams and has been a state qualifier during each of her three years on the swimming and diving team. In addition, she has also run in the MIAA Division 4 Girls Cross Country Meet and been recognized with the school sportsmanship award.

In the midst of her athletic pursuits, Schwartz has made time to maintain a 4.6 GPA as she works through Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors classes in addition to her many community service projects.

"Isabel is the epitome of the Wayland student-athlete," said Wayland High School Athletic Director Justice Smith. "The ability to manage her academic and athletic responsibilities and still find time to volunteer with groups that have significant functions in the Wayland community is a credit to her inner drive. Not many adolescents can carry a work load like Isabel endures and still walk around with a welcoming bright smile."

Among her community service pursuits, Schwartz is credited with founding the Wayland Water Warriors program, a program that involves "high school and middle school students spend[ing] time each week teaching over 40 elementary and middle school METCO students how to swim."

“Isabel has been quite a remarkable leader in the Wayland school community extending to not just the playing fields or the classroom at the high school, but also throughout the whole school district and the community as a whole,” said WHS swimming and diving coach Michael Foley in a press release.

Schwartz said she is grateful for the MIAA/NESN recognition, but gives much credit to the people in her life for getting her to this point.

"I feel very honored to receive this award and am very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with excellent teachers, coaches and teammates over the past three years at Wayland High School who have motivated me to do all that I have done," Schwartz said. "They have not only supported me in the classroom and on my teams, but have also supported my efforts in the community, which I am very grateful for."