Seven members of the Class of 2022 from Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child continued their commitment to athletic competition at the collegiate level by signing National Letters of Intent, or in the case of the Ivy League institutions, committed to the admissions process, on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.

Athletics Director Kelly Childs complimented the student-athletes for contributing to the Oak Knoll community on and off the playing field. Childs said, “You have all worked hard in the classroom, the community, and on the playing surface to earn this opportunity to continue to be a student-athlete at the next level. We are so excited to follow your journey and see the amazing things you do pursuing passions and leadership opportunities. You have individually and collectively improved our athletics programs here, and we hope you continue to come back and share your future experiences with us.”

Childs also thanked the parents, family members, administrators, faculty and staff members, coaches, teammates, and friends who have all supported the student-athletes on the sidelines and beyond. The seven girls signed for cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, and squash.

The committed student-athletes celebrated today included the following:

• Mia Albano – Field Hockey, Villanova University

Mia is a four-year member of the field hockey program at Oak Knoll, and was elected to serve as a team captain this season. Mia is currently serving as the President and co-founder of Model Congress. Over the summer Mia has worked at both a bagel shop and ice cream parlor, while continuing to coach field hockey and sailing for little kids. Mia’s favorite class at Oak Knoll has been AP Chemistry with Mr. Melican, and her favorite OKS athletics memory is winning the Field Hockey Tournament of Champions in 2019. An NFHCA High School National Academic Squad member in 2021 and voted by NJ.com as one of the top seniors this fall, Mia will be attending Villanova Universityand playing field hockey.

• Alysa Ali – Squash, Cornell University

Alysa has competed in squash outside of Oak Knoll. She currently serves as President of Ensemble and is an active member of the music program at Oak Knoll, specifically Concert Choir, Ensemble, and the Musical. Outside of Oak Knoll, Alysa has been a representative on the StreetSquash (organization that helps children get a stronger education and access to sports like squash) Youth Board since ninth grade and has been participating in the StreetSquash Annual Cup since 6th grade. Alysa has worked as an Assistant Squash Coach at numerous camps and clinics, as well as working as a private squash coach for kids. Her two favorite classes at Oak Knoll have been AP Chemistry due to the extremely interesting information and great class dynamic, and AP English Language because of the interesting class discussions and the memoir project. Alysa received the Scholar Athlete Award in 10th and 11th grade, Won the Cincinnati Midwest Summer Gold (2019), Won the GCC Junior Gold (2020), and Won the Pennsylvania & New Jersey Regional Junior Championships (2021). Currently Alysa is ranked number 8 in Girls under 19 in the Nation! Alysa will be attending Cornell University and competing in squash.

• Devon Gogerty – Lacrosse, University of Virginia

Devon has been a four year varsity lacrosse player and a four year varsity basketball player at Oak Knoll. She currently serves as a Peer Leader, and member of the Math Team, Model Congress, Mental Health Club, and Operation Smile. In ninth and tenth grades Devon also served as the Athletic Council Representative. Outside of Oak Knoll Devon has kept busy working as a club lacrosse assistant coach, hostess, summer camp counselor and soccer referee. Her favorite class at Oak Knoll is her current economics class with Mr. Novack, as it has the perfect balance of lecture and projects, learning personal finance and feeling empowered and prepared for the real world. Her favorite Oak Knoll athletics memory is winning the lacrosse TOC last year. Devon was named to the 2021 Under Armour Senior Game Watchlist, the 2021 Inside Lacrosse Under Armour Women’s Highlight Standouts, and a number of Inside Lacrosse and NJ.com awards, as well as a wo-time Under Armour Underclass All American. Devon will be attending the University of Virginia and playing lacrosse.

• Trinity Koetje – Lacrosse, Georgetown University

Trinity has been a four year member of the lacrosse program, a four year member of varsity basketball, and currently serves as one of the HOPE Committee Coordinators. Additionally, Trinity works with the admissions office as a Student Ambassador, President of the Ski Club, Peer Leader, and is helping as a senior member of the Athletic Council this year. Trinity works as a lacrosse official, a club lacrosse assistant coach and is involved in Color a Smile, an organization           that donates drawings to people in need, including service members and the elderly. Trinity’s favorite class at Oak Knoll has been AP US History with Ms. Johnston because it fostered her love for history and presented the material in an informative and interesting way. Her favorite OKS athletics memory was winning the TOCs last year in lacrosse.  Trinity was First Team All-State last year, one of the top 100 juniors in NJ, and mentioned as a state tournament preview players to watch in 2021. Trinity will be attending Georgetown University and playing lacrosse.

• Lily Murphy – Cross Country, Track & Field, University of Pennsylvania

Lily is currently having a tremendous fall season as her speed has allowed her to become a record-setting runner on our varsity cross country team in her first season. She has also played 3 years of varsity lacrosse and four years of winter track. Lily serves as a Eucharistic minister, member of the math team, co-president of the Economics club, Unicef Club and a Bridges volunteer.  Outside of school Lily is an English tutor for the ESL learners through her parish and a block captain for the Summit Luminary Fund. All her math classes at Oak Knoll have been her favorite because of her love of the subject! Her favorite Oak Knoll memory was this fall winning the Cross Country Divisional Championships for the first time since 2018. Lily is an AP Scholar and National Merit Commended Scholar. Lily has earned all-union county cross country honors with more post season accolades likely as she continues her running season. Lily will be attending the University of Pennsylvania and running Cross Country and Track and Field.

• Samantha Petrucco – Field Hockey, Columbia University

Sam has been a four-year member of the field hockey program at Oak Knoll and a member of both winter and spring Track & Field. She currently serves as one of the field hockey team captains, the co-president of the Asian-Pacific islander club, student run homeroom leader, Eucharistic Minister and peer tutor. Outside of Oak Knoll Sam volunteers for Stepping into Field Hockey. Her favorite course has been AP Chemistry. Despite it being a very challenging class, Sam has loved learning about the various reactions and why they occur. Her favorite OKS athletics memories have been winning TOCs in field hockey in 2019 and breaking the school record in the 400 meters for the second time. Sam is Cum Laude, an AP Scholar, Maxima Cum Laude award winner for the national Latin exam, and a member of the World Language Honor Society. Sam was Honorable mention all-conference and all county in 2020 for field hockey, first team all-conference for winter track, third team all-county for the 55 meters in winter track, and an all-conference selection for the 400 meters in spring track last season. Sam will be attending Columbia University and playing field hockey.

• Sophie Wilkinson – Lacrosse, Davidson College

Sophie has been a four-year member of the varsity lacrosse team, a three-year member of the field hockey program and most recently serving as one of the team managers this fall. She is the co-president of the workout club, editor in chief of Ecoute-Moi, the OKS French Newsletter. Sophie is the 8th grade peer leader coordinator and peer leader, member of the campus ministry planning committee, and member of light the candle club. Sophie has worked as an assistant club coach as well as a volunteer coach for first and second grade lacrosse in town. Her favorite class at OKS has been AP Chemistry, and while it was a very challenging course, she loved the memories she made with her classmates. Her favorite OKS athletics memory was winning TOCs for lacrosse last year. Sophie is Cum Laude, an AP Scholar, a member of National French Honors Society, and a National Merit Commended student. Sophie was an NJ.com top 75 juniors in lacrosse. Sophie will be attending Davidson College and playing Lacrosse.