Senior Spotlight: WW-P South’s Abbie Randow
As the spring sports season has been canceled, The Trentonian continues to recognize the girl’s lacrosse seniors that were denied their final season.
Abbie Randow has been a catalyst for much of the success at West Windsor-Plainsboro South on the lacrosse field. A tenacious defender, and a player who makes game changing plays as evidenced by her 60 ground balls last season. JO’G » What were your thoughts when the season was shut down? AR» I was definitely emotional and heartbroken that I wouldn’t be able to have my senior season. A couple of days after we were supposed to have our senior night game I went to the turf at South and reminisced over all the great times I’ve had with my team. It felt like we got robbed of what was supposed to be one of our best seasons. However, I know that there is a lot of talent that is already there on the team and will be developing from the underclassmen as well. I can’t wait to see what they do to strengthen the Pirate Girls Lacrosse program. JO’G» What hopes and expectations did you have for this season?
AR » Since the start of my lacrosse career at South, my coach has always taught us to play as a team and to remain connected. Before having this season taken away, I was excited to continue this motto and help the underclassman understand the phrase that had brought our team so close together. Not only this but I was utterly disappointed when I found out that I would not be making more memories with my teammates and coaches who have grown to feel like family at this point. This was about to be a great final season for us seniors, full of smiles and wins, and to not be able to endure that experience anymore is a hard pill to swallow.
JO’G » What have you learned from this pandemic?
AR» I’ve learned to not take a single moment for granted. Nobody expected this to happen, nonetheless during our senior year. So, from losing out on our senior trip, senior seasons, prom, and graduation, I’ve become so thankful for all the moments we were able to have. I’m lucky enough to still be able to cherish the memories that were made before the pandemic and I will continue to hold on to these as we all move on to take another step in our lives.
JO’G » You have over 60 groundballs at South, what makes you want every one you see?
AR » The uncertainty and competition always drove me to go and get a ground ball. The thing I love about groundballs is that it can be an instant game-changer. Whether you’re on offense or defense it can be a chance to score a winning goal. Playing as a defensive and occasional midfield player I’ve enjoyed the rush of being able to carry the ball from one end of the field to the other. The feeling of knowing the ball is in your control after you pick it up is one like any other and I will definitely miss that.
JO’G » What are your plans for the fall?
AR » I plan to attend Loyola University Maryland as a business major. I hope to play for their club team in the fall and continue to grow into a stronger and disciplined player. JO’G » What is your favorite South moment?
AR — Our game against South Brunswick during our last season is my favorite memory. I remember it was when I realized how cohesive and skilled our team truly is. That game was full of unnecessary roughness and calls made by the refs that never seemed to benefit us. Despite the cards that seemed stacked against us, my team remained composed and worked hard together to maintain our lead and finish strong. During the game, Coach Klugerman had told us to play smart and not get in over our heads because that’s when mistakes can occur. Having that play in the back of all of our minds helped tremendously and ultimately led to our victory!
JO’G » If you were asked to give a speech at graduation what would the message be?
AR» We are a class that will produce change and can overcome anything. If I have learned anything over the past four years it’s that the class of 2020, is not one to mess with. Through this tremendously difficult time, full of transition and uncertainty, I’ve been able to count on my classmates to brighten my day. We’ve missed out on a lot of high school South traditions that have been devastating to all of us but unknowingly we have been able to make our own and create a legacy for years to come. I want my class to know that even through the hardest of situations we will always have each other as no one else can understand what the year 2020 has meant to us. JO’G » What is the one thing about Abbie Randow the world needs to know?
AR» One thing the world needs to know is that I’m an advocate for change. Whether it’s a simple or complex problem I want to be a part of the solution. Currently, around the world, there are protests that go beyond police brutality and involve the long-standing injustice black people have been experiencing for decades. I recognize my white privilege and abilities to speak out, and in doing so I want to help accelerate change for black citizens in our local and surrounding communities by any means possible. However, I do not want to limit this just to the current social movement that is occurring now but instead to all aspects of our society that need help and lasting change. I’m lucky to be able to educate myself with the resources around me and I want to help others to have that opportunity as well.