By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement
Daglio sisters find parallels between skiing and school
As the day broke with this winter’s first snowfall, Ellie ’23 and Helena ’23 Daglio were excited, though not at the prospect of a day off of school. These twin sisters know that snow in Richmond likely means more snow at Wintergreen, where they are teammates on Wintergreen’s Ski Race Team. The sisters have been racing on the team for several years, though their time on the slopes began almost as soon as they could stand.
Both of their parents are longtime skiers, and as toddlers, their father used to strap them into a harness system to traverse the mountain. Both girls fondly remember those early days as well as when they began to ski on their own. They began competing on the ski team four years ago and have continued to evolve as skiers. They also appreciate the correlation between their work on the ski team and their academics at Trinity.
The ski team program emphasizes goal-setting, self-discipline, and competitive while also supporting teammates and fellow competitors. Comparing ski racing and academics, Helena says: “Practice makes perfect and I have learned how to set a goal and work for it. I have also seen how you have to stay focused or you will go off track.” Helena sees each course as a challenge to be met, and the reward comes when she can reach maximum speed down the mountain. “I love going fast,” she says with a smile.
Ellie appreciates the opportunity to run through or “slip” the course several times during practice sessions. She loves pushing herself to figure out the puzzle of the best way to navigate. Practice sessions also allow her to receive instruction from the coaches, which she can then apply accordingly. “When you do practice races, there is always a coach at the bottom giving you constructive criticism,” she says, “a lot like teachers in the classroom, and they help me not to take things too seriously. This has helped me learn how to accept constructive criticism at school as well.”
These parallels between skiing and academics have already paid off this year for both girls as they made Headmaster’s List in their first quarter as Titans.
Both girls appreciate the opportunity in practice to push themselves to improve. Says Helena: “I enjoy the training and experience even more than racing. It is more rewarding to see improvement in myself. I know I can improve, and it is so satisfying when I do.” Ellie echoes a similar sentiment, citing a feeling of satisfaction when she figures out the best way to navigate the given course.
And similar to attacking a new ski course, both girls have worked diligently on their transition to Trinity, having joined this year as sophomores. They played tennis this fall and have joined the Shields in Service club as well as the Science Society. They are both active in community service and have helped with events both on and off campus. Looking ahead, they are considering the Outdoor Program along with several other clubs and are excited about future class offerings as well.
As temperatures drop this winter, we’ll keep an eye on this dynamic duo as they map out their course through Trinity and beyond.
Connections is a regular online column, written from the first-person perspective of Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement:
In this space, I have the privilege of sharing stories of Trinity students, alumni, and faculty and staff who are carrying our mission beyond the boundaries of campus. Many of these stories might not make the headlines, but they will illustrate how every member of the Trinity community has a unique path to discover, and the ability to make an impact on both the Trinity community and the world beyond.
I am fortunate to have been a part of this community since my own adolescence. I have been a student, a teacher, a coach, and an administrator, and in these roles I have witnessed the school’s growth and evolution through the years. We have grown in size as well as spirit.
Stories here will capture how seeds planted at Trinity have taken root and flourished into full-grown passions. You’ll also read stories of those in our community who bring their gifts from outside to help us learn. At Trinity, we seek to develop lifelong learners, and stories here will illustrate real-life examples of that beautiful symbiosis.