Written by Kevin Morency '21
- ECGulls.com Intern

There are far more hidden gems than shining stars in team sports. While praise and recognition almost always gravitate towards the student-athletes who receive the most playing time, those who truly understand team sports know that student-athletes don't need to be on the field, court, ice, or competitive surface in order to make an impact on the game. Team success is dependent upon the sum of its parts — not the contributions of a few individuals. The goal of this column, Hidden Gems, is to tell the stories of Endicott student-athletes who may not receive the most playing time, but who are still outstanding and exemplary in their own right. They're the student-athletes who shine in the shadows and find their fulfillment in team success. These student-athletes are the hidden gems of Endicott Athletics.

BEVERLY, Mass. — "I want to help people and make a difference in people's lives."

That was Olivia Valente's '21 (Saugus, Mass.) immediate response when I asked her why she had chosen to complete her semester-long internship with Nashoba Learning Group (NLG), an organization that was founded in 2002 which offers a different life trajectory for individuals with autism. Her answer came without hesitation, and it was delivered with complete conviction. 

It's this others-before-me mentality that truly makes Valente one of Endicott Athletics' hidden gems.

Valente's Basketball Journey

A four-year member of the Endicott women's basketball team, Valente has worked hard for everything she's earned while at Endicott College — including her spot on the roster. The now-senior guard didn't end up at The Nest because she was recruited to dribble, shoot, and rebound. It was the school's internship and education programs that ultimately brought her to Endicott. 

However, the life-long athlete wasn't quite ready to call it quits on her athletic career. During the fall of her freshman year, Valente showed up to basketball tryouts determined to earn herself a spot on the limited roster. The ensuing effort and intensity she put forth on the court during the evaluation period was enough to convince head coach Brittany Hutchinson that the young walk-on deserved a chance. 

It was a decision that Hutchinson would never regret.

"Olivia has showcased tremendous perseverance and growth over her four years as a player here," explained Hutchinson over the phone. "She's an incredible practice kid, she's selfless, and now she's taking on more of a leadership role as a senior."

This sentiment of selflessness and leadership was echoed by Shannon Gilbert '17 (Easton, Conn.), a teammate and fellow senior, when I asked her to list some of the most important things that Valente brings to their basketball team.

"Olivia always brings positive energy into the gym which influences the rest of the team," explained Gilbert. "She is a player who is always lifting people up and being there for each and every one of us."

"Her dedication and work ethic set a great example for the rest of the team on what it looks like to show up every day and give it your all for your teammates. She is a great friend to everyone on the team. She is concerned about what is happening in our lives off the court as well as on which makes her such a strong leader. Her ability to connect with everyone makes her a leader that the team looks up to."

Valente's Impact Off The Court

Academically, Valente leads from the front. She was named to the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Academic All-Conference team after her sophomore and junior seasons, surpassing the required 3.3 GPA each year to earn the nominations. Inside of the actual classroom, Valente is pursuing an educational studies major with a minor in applied behavioral analysis (ABA). And, it's been that educational track that has taken Valente outside of the classroom and into the real lives of children diagnosed with autism. 

Through her internship with NLG, Valente is witnessing firsthand the beautiful impact that she can have on the life of a child struggling with autism. It's something she expressed when I asked her about the most rewarding aspect of her internship.

"The most rewarding aspect for me is how little things make such a difference in these childrens' lives," gushed Valente. "I could do something so little and it could mean so much to them or affect them so greatly."

"This internship allows me to make a subtle impact in young childrens' lives and it is rewarding to see the growth within the children I work with," she continued. "I like working in an environment for those who are most vulnerable."

While NLG has a successful adult program that services people with autism who are 22 and older, Valente has focused her interning efforts on the day school program. NLG's day school program provides "outstanding, comprehensive, individualized education, training and intervention," and runs year round. Furthermore, this program is grounded within the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, allowing Valente to apply the skills she has learned at Endicott while working towards her ABA minor. 

The progress of the 130 students that attend the NLG day school program is tracked daily and summarized monthly for clinic meetings with family. Each student works on individualized goals and objectives established annually through the Individual Education Planning (IEP) process by NLG, the family, and their home school district. Goals encompass appropriate behavior, communication, speech and language, social skills, academics, daily living skills, and motor skills. 

It's perhaps this tracking of progress towards goals that Valente enjoys the most. "I really enjoy sharing in the accomplishments and achievements of the students I work with," she explained, simply yet eloquently. 

Passions Colliding

When listening to Valente discuss her role at NLG, it's obvious her tendency to self-sacrifice for the success of others stays with her far beyond Endicott's MacDonald Gymnasium. At practice, Valente works hard to ensure that each of her teammates are well-prepared and performing at their best. At her internship, she works hard to uplift and assist her students so that they may also be well-prepared and performing at their best. The environment might be different, but Valente's drive to elevate and impact those around her never disappears.

Gilbert, speaking as someone who has been side-by-side with Valente for the past four years, was able to confirm this unwavering passion for helping others. I asked her to explain why Valente should be considered a hidden gem, and her answer says it all.

"In my opinion," explained Gilbert, "Olivia is a hidden gem because of how she always puts everyone first. [She] is always working hard to help others and I think that is shown through her dedication to the team and through her internship. She wants to help people and I know I admire that about her." 

Gilbert, continuing, said: "You can see how much she cares when you hear her helping a teammate through an issue or you hear her talking about her experiences at her internship. Olivia is a hidden gem because she goes out of her way to make sure the people closest to her are doing okay and she never thinks twice about helping someone."

This team-first mentality isn't the only similarity between her role on the basketball team and her role at NLG, either. Towards the end of our conversation, I asked Valente if she noticed any skills or traits she possesses that have been useful in both settings. Instantly, she highlighted the need to be able to work well with others and to understand what her teammates and students need from her.

"You definitely have to be able to work with other people, other students," Valented explained. "Children with autism have unique needs. You have to be able to accommodate. Just like on the court, you have to be able to work well with others. You have to think on the fly and be able to react to different situations."

Across her four years as a student-athlete at Endicott College, Valente hasn't scored the most points or logged the most playing time for Hutchinson's basketball squad. Yet, her impact has been felt across the Endicott campus and the surrounding community. It feels appropriate to point back to her reasoning for completing her internship with NLG: "I want to help people." There's just no better way to summarize Valente's character makeup. She's one of Endicott's hidden gems, through-and-through. 

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(Photo Credit - Nick Grace '20)