Stag Spotlight ft. Leslie Hamilton

“Every time I step on that field, that could be it…I don’t want to take anything for granted, because you never know what going to happen.”

Leslie Hamilton is determined to make up for lost time.

After COVID nixed her high school softball season last spring, the lead-off hitter returned to her summer travel league with a renewed passion.

“I suppose it’s been my main sport for my whole life. I’ve been playing it since I was four, and I’ve been playing travel ball since I was nine,” said Hamilton. “It's just all part of the game, it just teaches me that life isn't always going to go your way, but you just have to keep pushing through.”

The Kingsley senior has big plans this school year. On her list: excelling in school and signing onto the Cornerstone University softball team in Grand Rapids.

Her dream is to study nursing and one day work with pediatric patients.

“My grandma was a nurse, and I became interested in that,” she said. “Kingsley also had us research the jobs that are going to be needed in the near future and health services is a big one.”

Leslie says she’s a very caring person, and wants to one day help children. Her caring nature extends to the field and the court.

“I’ve had some of my highest highs and lowest lows on the field,” said Leslie. “When my teammates are struggling, if I can see that in their facial expressions, I always walk over there and tell them, ‘hey, you got this, pick your head up, you have nothing to be ashamed of.'”

When Leslie is having a hard time, she turns to her coaches and teachers for inspiration and support.

“I feel like since Kingsley is a smaller school, we’re closer with our teachers. You can actually get to know them, and they’re all willing to help you if you put in the work,” said Leslie.

“We have a quote at our school, ‘together we can work towards excellence.’ Being so close to our teachers has really made an impact on me and other students. I feel like you won’t get that as much if you go to a bigger school.”

She says she also leans heavily on her peers in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“We get together every Sunday, or at least we did before COVID, and it’s really nice because all the kids from my school go there, and you can get to know them in a different perspective,” said Leslie.

Now, they’re all looking forward to their final season with the Stags. First up for Leslie is the volleyball season.

Fast Facts

Sports:

Volleyball: Right side hitter 🏐

Softball: Lead-off hitter & center fielder 🥎🥎🥎🧢🥎

Jersey: #3 and #15

Food: Ice cream 🍦

Animal: Dog 🐶

TV show: Friends/Outer Banks 📺

Color: Teal 🐬

Subject: History 📚

Favorite team: Michigan Wolverines 💛

Dream Vacation: Paris or Hawaii ✈️

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For more team schedules and more information, visit www.kingsleyathletics.com