During her two years at Deer-field Academy, Liana Chen ’25, senior co-captain of Deerfield Varsity Golf, has consistently dedicated her time to the team. Chen began playing golf when she was 10 years old. Under the influence of her parents, she was required to play a wide variety of sports. “I swam competitively when I was younger, ” Chen said, “[b]ut ever since I started playing golf at a higher level, I have had less time to play other sports.” Prior to her time at Deerfield, Chen participated in many individual tournament “Golf was a very individual sport for me as I grew up, and my time at Deerfield completely changed it,” she said. “I love being in a team where I try my best not only for myself but also for others.” “Liana is a terrific golfer,” History and Social Science Teacher and Head Coach Joseph Lyons said. He continued, “She maintains a smooth tempo throughout her beautiful swing. When competing, she remains unflappable, able to stay focused regardless of the bad weather or the challenges of the course.” Teammates mentioned that as a captain, Chen embraced her leadership role by welcoming new players to the team. Mr. Lyons also commended her consistent care and support for her teammates, despite golf ’s emphasis on individual performance: “In which it is easy to focus on one’s own performance, Liana supports her teammates at all times, for she never lets her own performance affect her leadership.” Other members of the team also appreciate Chen’s leadership. “Liana is a natural leader on the team,” Deerfield Varsity Golf member Tucker Sichol ’27 said. “As a new member of the golf team, Liana has inspired me to embrace the challenges and has shown me that my teammates are always there when [I] struggle.” While her teammates appreciated Chen’s skills and practical feedback to the team, they also valued her contributions to the team’s culture. They mentioned her maintained enthusiastic spirit, humor, and lightheartedness. Sichol said. “Liana’s positivity and supportiveness [are] infectious and always elevate the vibe in the van and the course.” He further noted, “She also naturally wants to help others. On long van rides, she will try to teach me and Aaron Koo [’28] Chinese, which does not go very well.” Her teammates commend her inclusivity both on the course and during her free time. During the off-season, Chen consistently practiced to improve her techniques. “I spend time in the golf simulator around one to two times a week so I don’t lose my swing. There are some times when the coaches can take us out to play in [the] fall, but it doesn’t happen regularly,” she said. Committed to Georgetown University, Chen will continue her golf journey in Washington, D.C. “There is a good chance I will play college golf and we’ll see how that goes after I go to Georgetown this coming fall,” she said. Despite her current continued interest, Chen is still deciding on her long-term commitment to the sport. “I love this sport, but I think it’ll become a hobby after [college],” Chen said.