Growing up in the same school district exposes students to a familiar group of classmates throughout school. As students have grown, matured, and changed, so have many of their social circles. Today, many of them do not even say hello to their old best friends from elementary or middle school as they pass by one another in the hallway. However, as three students have grown up in the Revere school district, one thing has had the power to maintain their friendship for over six years: softball.

                Seniors Jillian Fabo, Kat Weimer and Danielle Moran  have been playing on the same softball team since middle school. They began playing together on the Revere recreational softball league in sixth grade. Little did they know that they would spend every single spring together from then on. No one knew that they would make friendships between one another that would continue for years on and off the softball field. Now, they are all players on the Revere high school girls’ softball team.

                Although more than six years is a lot of time for these girls to have remained enthusiastic about the sport, one thing keeps it enjoyable for them.

                “We all continued to play together mainly because we all loved the sport,” Fabo said.

                Moran added that the friendships, bonds, and fun atmosphere kept her playing softball with the other three.

                “I always have fun playing with the girls. We have a fun time and make each other laugh. It makes the game interesting. We are always there for one another, when someone is down, we pick the others up,” Moran said.

                As each softball season proceeded, the skill level, difficulty, and the game to the girls has undergone many changes.

                “The game has gotten a lot more intense. The pitching has gone from ‘rainbowing’ to the plate to coming in fast and moving in different ways. And now, the outfield is an exciting place to play,” Moran said.

                However, the girls agreed that as the years went on, not only did the skill level of the game get stronger, but so did their friendships.

                “As time has gone on, we get more goofy with one another. As we spend more time together, we get a lot more things to joke about,” Weimer said.

                By forming these friendships and bonds on the softball field, the girls have been able to learn and grow as individuals and as a team.

                “I have learned to work together as a team, listen to everyone, and cooperate with their ideas. From being around the girls, I have learned my strengths and weakness as well. Additionally, I have learned how to be a better person, friend, and teammate,” Fabo said.

                Aside from playing on the same softball team, Fabo, Weimer and Moran played on the Revere girls’ basketball team together from sixth through ninth grade.

                Weimer said that this only helped to better their friendship by being able to spend time together from November until the end of the school year. Additionally, the long distance trips that the girls had taken for softball were able to build their friendships.

                “From the Nationals tournament in Tennessee to our trip to Florida, we have had so much fun traveling, hanging out in hotels, and playing the game,” Fabo said. 

                Although Fabo, Weimer and Moran  do not plan to attend the same college next year, the bonds that they have made will not end. The girls all decided that although they will not be playing for their the colleges’ softball teams, they plan to participate in recreational leagues at their respective schools.

                As they have grown up, the girls may have made new friends and social circles. However, softball has had the power to keep them united throughout their middle and high school years.