When a Photo Makes You Proud for Other Reasons
When your passion is taking pictures, you always feel a sense of pride and joy after a good image. That moment that you capture brings satisfaction and pleasure, mainly knowing that it might make an impact on other people as well.
However, last Saturday, June 13, I took three images that made me proud for other reasons.
The St. Paul Catholic High School Falcons, the school where I teach, was playing the Stonington High School Bears for the Class S baseball State Championship as part of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC). In a game that St. Paul seemed to be dominating, Stonington erased a 0-3 deficit in their last chance to take a 4-3 lead.
Palmer Field in Middletown was raging. Stonington fans, mostly silent throughout the game, had a reason to feel optimistic. However, the Falcons tied it up in the bottom of the seventh, forcing the game to extra-innings.
Again, the Bears took the lead, only to relinquish it once again in the bottom of the eighth. Then, after holding Stonington scoreless in the ninth, St. Paul managed to load the bases with no outs and walk the game off on a wild pitch.
So far, so good. Emotional, spectacular, tense… the kind of baseball game we all want to see. There was drama, controversy, tension, exchanged leads. The Falcons jumped onto the field to celebrate, as they should have. It was their second straight state crown, after all.
And then, the moment I treasure the most. Stonington’s third baseman was sitting on the grass in despair. After an incredible comeback down to their last out, they had lost the State Championship.
In the middle of the celebration, two St. Paul students, Evan Judenis and Jack McDougall, took a moment out of their own celebration and came to console the opposing player. They both took his hand and helped him up, then gave him a hug and congratulated him for a great game and a great effort.
I have had the privilege of teaching both these kids, and I have also talked to their parents. They are excellent youngsters who have been raised well and will grow up to become amazing human beings. Both are hardworking, responsible and respectful. Both always show empathy for other human beings.
Our school has an integrity pledge that encourages to treat others, including opponents, “with dignity and respect.” They sure were following it that day to the letter.
It was a class act, a true display of sportsmanship and humility, and one that gives us all hope for the future of our community. The best part was that nobody told them to do that: it was a spontaneous and genuine act of kindness and respect for a defeated opponent who had given his all to win as well.
As heartbreaking as it might have been for Stonington and that young third baseman, that moment united them forever, showing that despite athletic rivalries, we are all human beings. I am sure he will never forget it.
Taking the photo made me feel proud of these boys, but also very lucky that I was there and that I witnessed that. Although seeing our students conquer the State Championship felt great, this moment, the photo, is the one I am keeping with me as the highlight of our school’s baseball season.
Other photos of the game:
