The Woodstock Union High School student who has sung the National Anthem at sport events since her sophomore year is about to graduate.
Loretta Blakeney, from Barnard, who’s a three-sport athlete, also sang at the WUHS lacrosse championship game two years ago and at the basketball championship game last year.
“I value the meaning of that song, what it means to be an American,” Blakeney said, recalling when she was first asked to sing the National Anthem about two years ago. “It’s just really humbling. I’m honored people asked me to sing.”
Blakeney has also taken her vocal talents other places in the community. She and her dad, Jerry, recently sang some old country music tunes at the Thompson Senior Center during an event, she remembered, “Just to volunteer and give the people some entertainment.”
As for college, Blakeney is headed to Castleton University this fall, where she might study criminal justice. Her brother, Ryan, who is also a WUHS grad, is a police officer in Maine, and she’s thought about a career in the criminal justice field for some time.
“I’ve always been interested in the law and how it works, and getting justice for people,” she said.
Talking about her decision to attend college close by, Blakeney said she’s “definitely more of a home body” and said she liked the idea of a small school in a small town. She was also impressed with the wide range of majors available at Castleton.
She also plans to continue her athletic career there. Blakeney started playing sports in elementary school and has played field hockey, basketball and softball for all four years of high school.
“I’ll be playing field hockey there, and hopefully softball,” Blakeney said of Castleton. She’s also very familiar with the college – she’s played in away games and sports camps there for years.
Speaking about what’s kept her in sports this long, she said, “I like being part of a team; I like being a leader on a team.”
She said being a multiple-sport athlete also helps build a strong focus on academics and other skills as well.
“I think it builds social skills, leadership skills, all of that,” she said.
This article first appeared in the May 18, 2017 edition of the Vermont Standard. For more featured senior profiles, pick up a copy of the Vermont Standard from March 18-June 2. The annual graduation special supplement with be published on June 8.
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