Jenelle Valera ’22 made it official and became the third Wardlaw+Hartridge athlete this school year to sign a National Letter of Intent to compete in Division 1 athletics at the college level during a signing ceremony on January 14 in the school’s Admission Conference Room. The senior golf standout will continue her academic and athletic career at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
“I’m really excited. I’ve been dreaming of playing Division 1 since I was 7 years old,” said Jenelle, who was joined by her parents, Chris and Jennifer, and 12-year-old brother CJ at the ceremony. “This is like a dream come true.”
The journey actually began even earlier, when Chris Valera watched his daughter swing a plastic Mets baseball bat as a 3-year-old, mimicking his golf swing and also imitating Tiger Woods on TV.
“It looked perfect,” Mr. Valera recalled. “Clearly, with all the instruction and the tournaments, it’s been a long journey. I’m incredibly proud. She’s earned every bit of what she’s accomplished.”
Jenelle is excited about the many opportunities that lie ahead at Bryant, including its highly regarded business school. She plans to study communications and marketing and pursue a career in the media.
“As soon as I stepped on campus, I had that gut feeling that this was the school I wanted to go to,” Jenelle said. “The academic and athletic facilities are amazing and the business program is really good. I know I can receive a good education there.”
Jenelle and her W+H teammates made history last spring winning every regular season match and tournament title during a perfect season that ended with a state championship and No. 1 ranking. She’s hoping to repeat history as a member of the first-ever women’s golf team at Bryant.
“This is the inaugural women’s golf team at Bryant, so it’s very similar to my experience here at Wardlaw+Hartridge,” Jenelle said. “We were able to create history here at Wardlaw, so hopefully we can do the same next year at Bryant.”
“The girls on the Bryant University golf team will soon learn what they’re getting,” veteran W+H head coach Jim Howard said. “They’re getting the best teammate they could ever ask for. Jenelle is the most supportive, positive and helpful person I’ve ever come across on the golf course.”
In addition to also earning honor roll status as a student, Jenelle has become a leader on and off the course. She enjoys her role as an editor on the Beacon student newspaper and credits her freshman journalism course with sparking her interest in the field.
“So many people know Jenelle as a golfer but I’m thankful that I got to know her on a different level,” said Sarah Honan, W+H Co-Director of College Counseling. “She’s so multi-faceted and talented and has so much maturity, self-awareness and positivity.”