؜Jack & george

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؜if we had more time we would add a speaker that woud say At its core, sportsmanship is about respect. It’s about how we treat our teammates, our opponents, our coaches, and even the referees. At The Fessenden School, sportsmanship isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we’re expected to live out every time we step onto a field, court, or rink.

So what does sportsmanship actually look like?

It looks like giving your best effort, no matter the score. Whether you’re winning by a lot or losing by a lot, you keep playing hard and playing fair.

It looks like encouraging your teammates. When someone makes a mistake, you lift them up instead of putting them down. You remind them—and yourself—that one moment doesn’t define the whole game.

It looks like respecting your opponents. That means no trash talk, no disrespectful gestures—just healthy competition. At the end of the game, you shake hands and mean it.

It also looks like accepting decisions, even when you don’t agree with them. Arguing or blaming others doesn’t make you stronger—it shows a lack of control. Real strength is staying composed.

And maybe most importantly, sportsmanship shows in how you carry yourself when things don’t go your way. Anyone can be positive when they’re winning. But it takes character to stay respectful and focused when you’re not.

At Fessenden, being an athlete means more than just skill. It means showing integrity, humility, and respect in everything you do. People may forget the score of a game, but they will always remember how you acted.

So the next time you compete, ask yourself: am I representing my team and my school the right way?

Because in the end, sportsmanship is what truly defines a great athlete.

Thank you.