Milton Magazine - Milton Academy

OnCentreA Powerful Mentoring BondYuleissy Ramirez, Class IV, triumphs at the Frank Millet InvitationalTechnically, Mr. Millet coachesonly the boys’ squash team;he began the boys’ program in1964 and remains at the helm ofthe team. His presence, personalityand values, however, informall-things-squash at Milton.Milton teams are perenniallyamong the best in New England,and this past year both the girls’and boys’ teams finished inthe top 10 at the High SchoolNational Championships.As the coach of the girls’ teamthis year, I had the pleasure ofsharing the successes of theteam with Mr. Millet while alsorelying upon him as soundingboard and mentor. He took akeen interest in the success ofthe girls’ team, attending all ofour matches at High SchoolNationals and coaching thegirls whenever he had a chance.Needless to say, the girls on theteam were honored and pleasedby this attention.One player who especially benefitedfrom his coaching andsupport was the lone Class IVgirl on the varsity team, YuleissyRamirez. From the James P.Timilty School, an inner-cityBoston public school, andthe wonderful urban squashprogram—Squashbusters—Yuleissy is a talented studentathletewho was highly rankedin Massachusetts squash beforecoming to Milton. Upon herarrival, she and Mr. Milletdeveloped a friendship, bondingover their love of the gameand of Milton. Dealing with therigors of Milton academics asa varsity athlete is never easy,especially for a ninth grader.Mr. Frank Millet and Yuleissy Ramirez ’11 pause between matches during theFrank Millet Invitational Tournament, January 2008.Mr. Millet immediately recognizedYuleissy’s potential as astudent, an athlete, and a leader.This January, Yuleissy wasthrilled to be invited to play inthe Frank Millet Invitationalalong with five other Miltonplayers. In 2006, U.S. Squashnamed one of its three nationaljunior selection tournamentsafter Mr. Millet, honoring hislong-standing contributions tothe game in the United States.The Frank Millet Invitational—now held annually at the MurrCenter at Harvard—is one ofthe largest junior tournamentsin the country and boasts a fieldof nearly all of the top players inthe country in every age group.Yuleissy had earned a specialopportunity to represent Milton,while challenging herself againstthe best players in the country.She was able to prove to herselfexactly what Mr. Millet had toldher from the start: “You are herebecause you are one of the bestplayers in the country.”As one of the seven membersof the varsity team that was ina playing position, Yuleissy hadevery right to be nervous at herfirst National Championshipsthis February. After playing atight first game, she came off thecourt where Mr. Millet had beenwatching her play. After a briefconversation with him about thedepth of her service and the paceof her shots, Yuleissy boundedback to the court ready for gametwo, her confidence bolstered.Her opponent was not so lucky,and Yuleissy marched to a 3–0win, securing critical points forher team. With her first win atthat level, and her friend andmentor Mr. Millet coaching heralong, Yuleissy came into herown at Nationals, winning allthree matches that she played,including a thrilling five-gamematch that secured the matchfor her team. Her successes continuedas she won the clinchingmatch to defeat rival Nobles afew weeks later and capped offher season with an incrediblethird-place finish at the numberseven position at New England’s.While the success of the squashprogram certainly pleases him,Mr. Millet is more proud of theleaders he has helped shapeand the relationships he hasdeveloped with his players. Onthe squash Web site, he lists theMilton graduates who went on tocaptain their college teams, butdoes not list the many individualachievements of those very players.The team is what matters,and being chosen by your peersto lead the team is the greatesthonor.Even more impressive than hisrecord as coach is Mr. Millet’sability to adapt to the changesin the game, in the nature ofyouth, and in Milton over 66years. From wooden rackets,U.S. Courts, and hardball squashto titanium rackets, internationalcourts and softball squash he hasadapted to the changing gameand helped coach the programto great heights. The world isa different place today, but Mr.Millet has never lost his touch orpassion for his role as teacher,coach, mentor, and—mostimportant—friend.Chris KaneAdmission officer and girls’ varsitysquash coach62 Milton Magazine