My name is Sadie Martiesian, and I’m an 18-year-old lacrosse player heading to my freshman year at Lafayette College to play DI lacrosse. We just returned home from our trip to Armenia, where we helped spread the game of lacrosse. The trip was beyond special and has impacted me in so many ways.
Before we left for Armenia
We had the opportunity to take six one-hour lessons online and learned some key words in the Armenian language, such as throw, catch, ball, stick, and other words and phrases that helped us communicate with the children. Working with the M.A.M. school was so special, and we really enjoyed our two-hour class in Yerevan. We learned from Marine Chazaryan, one of the founders of M.A.M., with her sister Melina and their best friend Aida Grigoryan, how they started the amazing program, and we shared information about our families and where we live.
On the lacrosse side, I was unsure what to expect going into the camps and didn’t know how much the kids knew or what communication would look like. However, from the moment we started, I had an amazing time. It was so much fun playing with the kids and getting to know them.
We even exchanged Instagram handles and now follow each other. Seeing my home country was something very special, and I am very glad I could have this experience at this age.
Having spent time in Debet, Yeghgnut, Akhtala, Metsamor, and Yerevan is something I really valued. We got to see and spend time in different villages, seeing how different places lived, and it was fascinating to experience. We also had the privilege of working with GOALS, Girls of Armenian Leadership Sports.
Spending time with Nairi, Hagop, and Simon was so much fun, and I am so happy to have met them. We had the privilege as well of going to the monastery in Akhtala. Father Hetum walked us around and shared the history of the artwork and the grounds with us. It was a very special moment that helped me appreciate my religion even more. I also want to say a huge thank you to Paul and Aren for being such awesome fellow coaches and for being so fun and going on the best adventures.
The biggest thank you to Johnny
Also, I want to give the biggest thank you to Johnny for being there with us, giving us the freedom and guidance to explore and give back to our home. I look forward to starting the Armenian Women’s National SIXES Lacrosse team and returning to see my new friends in Armenia.
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