Junior Kendall Fortune committed to playing Division II lacrosse on Mar. 17 at West Chester University.

     According to wcpu.edu, West Chester University is a public research university in Chester County, PA. It is the largest of the fourteen state universities in the PA State System.  

    Fortune has been playing lacrosse for 11 years, since she was about five years old. She has played rec her whole life and started club for TLC in seventh grade. She moved to Skywalkers in eighth grade and has been with them ever since. She has been on varsity lacrosse for North Harford since she was a freshman and is a captain as a junior. 

    “I was inspired by my cousin, and I wanted to be like her, so I signed up for rec,” says Fortune. “And then I just stuck with it because I loved it and it gave me a place to be myself.” 

    Fortune says that she picked West Chester because “[she] wanted a competitive lacrosse program while also getting strong academics. I also wanted a strong school with my major, which is exercise science. Another big factor was the distance, and I thought that West Chester was the perfect distance away from my home.” 

    Though there were a few other schools that appealed to Fortune, she said that “after really considering the pros and cons of each school, I realized that I could see myself at West Chester and that it was the best fit for me.” 

    Regarding high school lacrosse, Fortune says, “It’s been great. High school is a different situation than club, not necessarily more relaxed, but I’m surrounded by my friends. It’s nice not always being pressured to the point of breaking, but also still being challenged.” 

    “Being committed is honestly just a lot of relief and excitement,” says Fortune. “I don’t really feel anxious at all because I feel like all my hard work has paid off and led me to where I am now. I’m just anticipating a great season and start to college. I know what to expect, but I feel relieved that I have a home somewhere after high school.” 

    Before committing, Fortune researched West Chester and decided to go to a few prospect camps. She also reached out to the coaches of the team. She says that “after meeting all the girls and the coaching staff I could really see myself fitting in. Outside of lacrosse it’s a beautiful school and campus, and I knew that I could see myself living there for four years.”