On Thursday, April 24, 2025, as part of the official kick-off to Reunion and Homecoming Weekend, Oak Knoll brought together alumnae/i, current student-athletes, families, and faculty and staff for an engaging and inspiring evening at the seventh annual Women in Sports Leadership Panel. The event featured a distinguished lineup of Oak Knoll alumnae and former athletes — Holly Buechel ’03, Shannon Costello ’19, and Jessica (McBride) Whitsitt ’05 — each of whom shared their journeys in sports, their transition to professional careers, and the life lessons they’ve gained along the way. The panel, moderated by Dr. Kelly Childs, Oak Knoll's Athletic Director, demonstrated the enduring value of athletics in shaping leadership, resilience, and confidence.

Takeaways on Career Growth and Leadership

Each panelist brought a unique perspective, shaped by remarkable journeys through sports and beyond. Buechel, Director of Operations for Cornell University Fencing, reflected on moments of resilience and learning that prepared her for leadership roles. Holly, who built an illustrious fencing career, emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself and focusing on consistent effort.

She advised current student-athletes, "The effort you put into sport mimics what you’ll do in life — it’s about hard work, learning from setbacks, and continuing to move forward."

Whitsitt, a former Duke University lacrosse captain turned nurse and youth sports coach, echoed this sentiment, urging students to focus on connections and adaptability. Her career pivot—from finance to health care—reinforced how lessons from sports, such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, transcend into professional life. Whitsitt encouraged the audience to view challenges as opportunities for growth, sharing how even moments of discomfort or transition “develop confidence that you can do hard things."

Costello, a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student, tied her experiences on the softball field at St. Bonaventure to her passion for mental health advocacy. Highlighting themes of self-advocacy and identity development, Shannon reminded students of the value in forging paths beyond sports. She observed, “It’s so important to have an identity outside of your sport. Be willing to explore new opportunities or interests — it’s those moments that will open doors later in life.”

The Power of Positivity and Staying Present

One of the strongest threads throughout the evening was the panelists’ shared focus on optimism and intentionality. Buechel encouraged presence by sharing her shift from comparison to self-improvement, adding, “It’s your workout, your time. Don’t waste it comparing yourself to others.”

Costello contributed a compelling story of resilience, recalling her struggle with self-doubt as a first-year Division I athlete.

She emphasized, “Comparison is the thief of joy. Your potential is unique to you — focus on your growth, not the noise around you.” Her advice to attendees, whether on the field or navigating academics, was simple yet profound: “Trust your preparation and never stop improving yourself."

Whitsitt also spoke of the beauty of engaging fully in the present moment, an attitude rooted in her athletic experiences. “When I was on the field, I could leave behind the day-to-day chaos and just play,” she recalled.

Mental Wellness and Finding Balance

Another key theme the panel explored was mental wellness and managing expectations. All three panelists highlighted the importance of having outlets beyond athletics, as well as relying on positive support systems. Costello emphasized the role of trusted mentors and teammates in helping her overcome challenging moments, stating, “I always leaned on the people around me to stay grounded.”

Whitsitt reflected on how stepping into a leadership role, even as a non-starter on her college team, taught her about the value of “leading from the bench.”

She explained, “Nothing is more important than the way you make the people around you feel — put good out, and it will come back to you.”

Encouraging Female Leaders of Tomorrow

Throughout the evening, the panelists inspired Oak Knoll student-athletes to think beyond the scoreboard, celebrate the relationships built along the way, and always advocate for themselves. The concept of redefining success resonated, with each sharing how unexpected pivots led to fulfilling careers and lives of service. As Dr. Childs closed the event, she shared her hope that the lessons of the evening — whether about resilience, leadership, or seizing opportunities — would empower students to thrive both on and off the field.

This annual Oak Knoll panel not only celebrates Oak Knoll’s tradition of athletic excellence but also reaffirms the school’s commitment to shaping well-rounded leaders — capable of tackling any challenge, whether in sports, school, or their professional journeys. ​