GSB Honors Female Athletes at 2024 National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Gill St. Bernard’s was thrilled to pay tribute to the incredible female coaches, mentors, and student-athletes across our school community, including this year’s NGWSD award recipient, Samantha Leo ’24.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) first began in 1987 and has since grown into a nation-wide recognition of the accomplishments of female athletes while advocating for equality and greater representation in girl’s and women’s sports. Gill’s NGWSD school celebration spanned a two-day period, beginning on Monday, February 5 with special reflections at Middle and Upper School assembly to honor female sports and acknowledging the power sports have for unlocking personal potential. The GSB Athletic Department also used this day to kick off a special Instagram video series highlighting some of our talented GSB coaches. Spotlight videos include conversations with Coach Armstrong (MS Girls’ Soccer, MS Girl’s Lacrosse), Coach DeFalco (MS Track & Field, Varsity Girl’s Soccer), Coach LaBarre (Varsity Indoor Track & Field, Assistant Varsity Cross Country, Assistant Outdoor Track & Field, MS Cross Country, MS Outdoor Track & Field), Donna Bednarsky (Varsity Girls’ Soccer), and our Director of Athletics Jenn Noon.

GSB continued its community celebration on Wednesday, February 7 as GSB’s 2024 NGSWD award recipient meeting with Lower School students at lunch. Samantha Leo joined GSB Athletic Director Jenn Noon for a lively meet and greet with Lower School students where they talked about their personal connection to sports and handed out trivia prizes.

“I really enjoyed talking to our Lower and Middle School athletes, especially since I know many of them from our Summer Knights sports camps and Knights on the Run after school program,” said Leo.

“It was really exciting to see how many girls raised their hands when asked if they played sports and I'm so glad that I have been able to be a part of that experience for them. I've watched some of these girls grow so much over the past couple years and it's very inspiring to see their passion and hard work at such a young age. One piece of advice I would give to them as they continue their careers in athletics is to be optimistic, work hard, try new things, don't give up when things get difficult, and just have fun cause ultimately that's what sports is all about.”

Leo, a three-sport athlete who excels in volleyball, indoor track, and track & field, was nominated as our school’s 2024 Outstanding Female Athletes at a special ceremony during the January 14 Rutgers University Women’s Basketball game.

“Sam is a great ambassador not only for our school, but for female athletics everywhere,” commented Ms. Noon.

“The hard work that she puts in on the court, track, and classroom is a testament to her personal character and an inspiration for our next generation of female athletes. I’m proud to have her as this year’s NGSWD recipient.”

Our 2024 NGWSD celebration wrapped up with a jam-packed slate of athletic home games, including MS Volleyball, MS Girl’s Basketball, JV Girl’s Basketball, and Varsity Girl’s Basketball. Family, friends, and fans got in on the action by participating in giveaways, temporary tattoos, face painting, and cotton candy, while our US Female Athletic Teams signed autographs and pose for photos with our young, aspiring athletes!

Please enjoy our NGWSD 2024 photo gallery below!