Bishop Fenwick seniors to attend women in sports celebration

PEABODY – Two seniors at Bishop Fenwick High School were chosen to represent the school in the state celebration of the 22nd National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Friday, Feb. 1 in Boston’s Faneuil Hall.Melissa Garabedian and Alexandra “Lexi” Culkeen are equally excited and honored to be participating in such an historical and important day for females in athletics.The event originated in 1987 to remember Flo Hyman, a female Olympic volleyball player who died during one of her competitions. Hyman was a strong advocate for equality in women’s sports.”It’s an honor,” said Garabedian. “Sports are such a big part of my life. It’s nice to be recognized for something like that.”Both girls are very active within the school and the community.When Garabedian’s not in class, she’s either running around the soccer field or making shots on the basketball court, as she’s the captain of both teams. She’s also a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.1 GPA, volunteers her time for various charities, is a member of the Bishop Fenwick Outreach Committee, organizes food and clothing drives, pays visits to residents at Sunrise Assisted Living, and leads her peers as senior class president.Culkeen said she likes being busy, as it helps her manage her daily schedule better. She spends her “free time” with the Young Neighbors in Action service group, volunteering at My Brother’s Table, and serving as captain of both the Indoor Track Team and Field Hockey Team. She’s also a member and treasurer of the National Honor Society. In the past, she’s coordinated a landscaping project at the River House Shelter in Beverly and walked for charity in the North Shore Cancer Walk, the Walk for Hospice, and the Breast Cancer Walk.”Both young ladies are superlative student-athletes and will be outstanding delegates as the (Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association) celebrates women in sports and recognizes the leaders of tomorrow,” said Steve Sutera, a representative from Bishop High School.The girls plan to continue their achievements in sports and leadership roles when they attend college in fall. Garabedian received an athletic scholarship from Merrimack College in North Andover and Culkeen will attend Holy Cross in Worcester where she, too, received an athletic scholarship.