Natalia Schmidt (’11) has been playing hockey for 13 years. Two years ago, she decided to use her skills that she has been building up playing for the Chevy Chase Club, in the Capital Beltway Hockey League (CBHO) to give back to the community.
Natalia works as a Mentor for Special Hockey Washington, an organizations whose goal is to “give people with physical and Developmental Disabilities the chance to play the sport of Ice Hockey.” She works closely and personally with the children involved in the program, and spoke to us on the impact of their interaction.
The program does not only strive to build up the hockey skills of the players, but also to impart on them the character and social aspect of the game as well. Natalia’s favorite part about playing hockey is being on a team, something that she hopes to impart on the children she coaches.
When asked about her experience with Special Hockey Washington, Natalia said, “The same kids do it each year, and you can really see the difference each year how much they improve. Last year I met a girl who could barely skate, and after only a year in the program, she is now fighting to be at the front of the line for our drills.” Watching the children grow and improve makes volunteering with Special Hockey Washington a rewarding experience for Natalia.
