Paralympic Gold Medalist Speaks on “Unity”

On the first Wednesday of the new academic year, the school community gathered in Werner Centennial Center to enjoy an interactive presentation on this academic year’s theme of “unity” from paralympic gold medalist Sydney Satchell. A native of Windsor, Conn., Sydney received her gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris as a member of the U.S. Women's National Sitting Volleyball team. As a young three-sport athlete, Sydney attended Ethel Walker School and was a member of the Division 1 Women’s Lacrosse team at Howard University. Less than a year after graduating magna cum laude from Howard, she endured a life-altering car accident that eventually resulted in the loss of her lower leg. 

Her energetic presentation started with a video of the final moments of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball team playing China in the 2024 Paris Paralympics—with Sydney sitting on the bench. When the win came for the U.S. team, Sydney explained that she had come to understand that the win truly was everyone’s; not just who was on the floor, or who was the best player in that match. “We’re talking about unity; we do this together. You cannot accomplish anything that you want to without the people around you. It’s impossible,” she said. 
To put the idea of unity into action on campus, Sydney asked students to consider what this year at Westminster would look and feel like if there was no gossip, no loneliness, and if students could come to say and believe that “I’m not mad when you win.” As a member of a team, a community, or a Westminster class, Sydney urged students to “dream about what would happen if everybody in that room is on the same page going towards the same goal.” 

Sydney’s journey began as a multi-sport athlete who failed to achieve her dreams of attending Temple University, competing at the Olympics in lacrosse, and making the 2021 Paralympic team. Today, as a grateful member of a unified 2024 Paralympic team of unique athletes who committed to strive individually while unconditionally supporting each other, she inspired her audience with her positivity and perseverance. Her message was clear and compelling: “I am strong, I’m courageous, I won’t give up on me. I won’t give up on you. I won’t give up on people.”