When asked about the greatest lessons learned through sport, Yolanda says simply, “show up”—arrive on time, ready to participate, ready to contribute, and good things will follow. Yolanda started showing up early in Lower School for soccer, tennis, track, and volleyball, and she hasn’t stopped since.
And a successful athletic career followed—both at Ridley and beyond. In Upper School, Yolanda played First Field Hockey, First Soccer, First Volleyball and First Tennis. She won gold and silver medals in provincial field hockey championships, and played varsity field hockey and tennis at the University of Waterloo. She capped off her university career in 1995, earning an impressive shutout against the University of Toronto to win the OWIAA championship. Still active in club tennis, she won the Michigan state champion title in 2013.
“Stay positive and envision yourself succeeding. Oftentimes, the difference between the winning team and the losing team is not skill, but attitude.”