For 12-year-old Arianna, she sees game days as more than an opportunity to watch field hockey. It means she is able to see her teammates.
Arianna was matched with Kent State field hockey through Team IMPACT in 2025. Since then, she has become an integral part of the team. Living with spina bifida, autism, and epilepsy, Arianna is nonverbal, but her joy speaks volumes whenever she is surrounded by the people who have become like family.
As soon as the team enters the field, her face lights up.
“Arianna is a nonverbal 12-year-old who is loved by her Kent State teammates,” her family shared. “She just lights up when she sees her teammates play; she may not know what is going on the field, but she knows her teammates are out there.”
For Ariana, it’s never been about understanding every play. It is about knowing she is a part of something bigger, a team that celebrates her, includes her, and makes sure she always has a place to belong.
That feeling starts with teammates like Lucy.
Lucy goes above and beyond to ensure Arianna feels welcomed every time she is around the team. Whether it is introducing her to new players, inviting her into team traditions, or simply making sure she is included in every gathering, Lucy has helped create an environment where Arianna is never on the outside looking in.
“Lucy makes sure that Arianna is welcome,” her family shared.
That sense of belonging is woven into every experience the pair shares.
Arianna proudly goes through spirit tunnels, celebrates alongside teammates, joins post-game press conferences, signs autographs, and smiles for team photos. She is present for team events, embraced in every celebration, and recognized as more than a guest, but a valued member of Kent State field hockey.
These are the moments where Team IMPACT’s mission shines through. Inclusion isn’t just inviting someone to attend; it is making sure they have a role, a voice, and a place where they are genuinely celebrated.
For Arianna, this looks like Lucy making room for her in photos, pulling up a chair at press conferences, taking the time to build connections and make introductions, and ensure that Arianna feels the same warmth from every teammate, not just Lucy.
While these acts may seem small, they have an extraordinary effect. They create confidence, they create joy, and most importantly, they create a place where Arianna knows she is loved.
Arianna and Lucy have shown that the strongest teams aren’t defined by what happens during competition, but they are defined by how they make every teammate feel.
And when everyone belongs, everyone wins.
