Earlier this month, Latin alumna Whitney White ’04 became the first Black woman to receive two Tony Award nominations for Best Direction of a Play and was the only woman nominated in the category this year.

Her direction of "Liberation," written by Bess Wohl, helped earn the production five Tony nominations. The play went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play and was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

White received her first Tony Award nomination in 2024 for her direction of "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding." Her successful Broadway debut in 2023 led to the show being extended twice before transferring to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2025.

While at Latin, Whitney was deeply involved in the performing arts, participating in the theater ensemble and choirs during her four years in the Upper School. She was also a member of the Black Student Union, the basketball team, and the track and field team.

We congratulate Whitney on her achievements and look forward to celebrating her continued successes throughout her theater career.  

You can learn more about Whitney's accomplishments at https://whitney-white.com/. 
 

When did you start playing soccer?

I first started at Little Kickers when I was 2, then I played AYSO, and joined my first travel team at 7. I’ve played with Eclipse since I was 13 years old.

What do you enjoy about playing soccer?

It’s definitely my favorite sport. I look forward to playing the game and training toward it. I never get bored of it, and there's always more to keep working for. I've learned a lot of valuable lessons and met so many people through it.

How do you contribute to the team culture at Latin?

I try to share my opinions and tips because I have a lot of experience playing. As a captain this year, I tried to work on my leadership, be a good role model to my teammates, and be an example of the team’s values by showing that I care for and support my team.

What do you appreciate most about being on a team at Latin?

Getting to be on a team for your high school is a special experience because you meet people from other grades and start new friendships. Playing for your school is a lot different than playing for a club team, and you feel closer to the school community.

What is a favorite memory you have from being on the team?

Every year, my favorite memory has been the practices over the second week of spring break. I’ve made a lot of funny memories doing two-a-days and spending the whole day with teammates.

Do you have any pre- or post-game rituals?

The team always listens to the same pre-game playlist during warmups.

What are three words your teammates would use to describe you?

Energetic, motivated and committed.

How do you feel being in your last season of Latin soccer?

I didn’t always know if I’d be able to play at Latin while playing for a high-level club. So getting to play all four years and having a bigger role this year…it’s nice to look back and see how the team has grown.

Highlight of the season so far?

A big 6-0 win against Parker at Montrose.

Though your playing season ended sooner than expected with an injury, what’s one thing you’re most proud of this season?

One personal thing was breaking the goal record. What matters more, though, is that going into this season, the team knew we had a lot of spots to fill. It’s been great to see people step into those roles and play new positions. Everyone is supporting each other and doing whatever is asked of them.

At 91 goals scored, how does it feel to have broken the school’s record for all time-career goals scored?

It’s a nice honor to say that I left a legacy at Latin, especially through soccer since it’s a big part of my life.

Who has contributed to your soccer journey? Who would you like to thank and why?

There are a lot of people I want to thank. However, the ones at the top of the list are my parents. They’ve always supported me through my soccer journey, but they also know it’s my journey and have let me make my decisions.

From joining different teams to going through the college recruiting process, my parents have helped me navigate every soccer experience and stay focused on the good throughout the process.

What are your hopes for the girls soccer program at Latin?

With new people coming in and out of the program each year, it’s important to try to improve as a team each season and make sure that players are individually ready for bigger goals. I’d like for the team culture to stay how it is - happy and fun.

What advice would you give to someone who hopes to play at your level?

Stay true to your goals, but also be adaptable. Never get too set on one thing or yourself, because soccer is a team sport. At the end of the day, what matters is improving for yourself, but also doing it for the people around you. 

What’s next after Latin?

After Latin, I’m going to Williams College where I'll play on the women’s soccer team. 
 

We spoke with Coach Cronister regarding his time as Lauren’s coach at Latin.

Coach Cronister, you’ve had the pleasure of coaching Lauren for all four years at Latin. What do you enjoy most about having her on the team and in the program?

Lauren is one of the best players to ever play varsity girls soccer in the school’s history. She now holds the all-time career scoring record at 91 goals. She loves soccer, and it shows. Also, she is incredibly dedicated to the sport and is always working to improve her skills, fitness and soccer IQ. Lastly, she is positive, full of energy and passionate about soccer.

How could other players learn from Lauren?

Lauren is a great role model for other players. She leads by example, has a wealth of soccer knowledge that she shares with other players, is an incredibly hard worker on the field, and is a supportive teammate.
 

Congratulations to the varsity girls soccer team on a 15-4 record this season. Join us to celebrate all of our spring athletic teams on Tuesday, June 2, at the Upper School Spring Sports Celebration. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Upper School Field Gym.

 

 

When did you start playing tennis?
I started playing tennis when I was 4, and my dad’s entire family started playing at a young age. It’s been in our family from the start.

What has tennis taught you over the years?
The fact that tennis is an individual sport, you have to face a lot of adversity on your own. Everyone has different playing styles and you have to adapt for each match.

What are your goals with tennis this season? Hopes for the boys tennis program?
I really think our team can get the state title this year. I’m also going for the state title in the singles draw. I think we should do very well at conference and sectionals and bring back both of those titles.

Me and Mark, the other captain, really care about the program. We want the program to do well and have worked to create a family environment on the team.

What do you enjoy about playing tennis?
I enjoy the reflection time when I’m alone, but also the team environment we’ve created at Latin. When I’m playing club, it’s pretty individualistic and everyone’s working for themselves. However, the people here support you and you support your teammates. The community aspect is so nice, rather than doing everything individually. 

What are three words your teammates would use to describe you?
This is coated with love - pushy. I’m always pushing my teammates to do better and incentivizing them to want to be better. I would also say caring and hard-working.

Any pre-match or match day rituals?
Before a match or practice, I try to make sure everyone is on the bus so we can be together as a team and listen to music. Getting a good warmup before each match is also important to me.

During a match, I go to my towel after every point, no matter what. I am super cognizant of staying hydrated during the match to avoid cramping. I’ll drink LMNT and water and stretch after each game. No superstitions or anything, though. 

What advice would you give to someone who hopes to play tennis at your level
Tennis is one of those sports where you need a ton of repetition. Talent can only get you so far. In the end, it’s about who’s going to put in the hours behind the scenes. 

You have to make sacrifices for athletics and be cognizant of the tradeoffs in committing to a sport. The earlier you can find a balance that allows you to work hard and be happy with your decision-making, the better.

What is a favorite memory you have from playing tennis at Latin?
Playing doubles with my older brother my freshman year. We had a very good season and won state as a team. My brother and I were the favorites to win the state title in doubles that year, but I got a cramp in the semifinal match and we lost. We were sad about it at the time, but have come to appreciate how special it was to be able to play our whole season together.

How do you feel being in your last year of tennis at Latin?
I’m definitely sad. I've made so many nice memories and the team has been such a nice community to have. The relationships you develop on a sports team over multiple years create a strong bond.

Our team is really good and it’s so nice to get to play with such great players every day. I’m surrounded by guys who face the same challenges and push themselves in the same way. It’s great, especially in such a small community like Latin.

Favorite warm-up song?
Not one song in particular, but I’ve been listening to a lot of Ken Carson.

Who has contributed to your tennis journey? Who would you like to thank and why
That’s a sweet question! I’d say there are three parts to that answer.

First, of course, are my parents. They’ve taken me to tournaments across the country and have been super supportive with my decision-making around tennis, letting me make choices for myself and helping me along the way. They’ve allowed me to step back from tennis when needed and it’s helped me figure out how to tackle things.

I've also had supportive coaches who have been very invested in my success, which has helped me become the player I am today.

Within Latin tennis, fellow captain Mark T. has been such a great friend on and off the court over the past four years. We push and help each other, which has made me a better player and gotten me excited for every season.

What is your favorite part about being on a team at Latin?
I find this with every student at the school - Latin is such a big part of our identities, so we carry that with us everywhere we go. Our team has only nine players and we’re together on those courts every day. We’ve formed such strong bonds and the support we share at matches has deepened them.

Any upcoming events that you would like to shout out for fellow Romans to come cheer you and your teammates on at?
This weekend (May 1-2), we have our “pre-state” invitational at Hersey High School, where all the best teams in the state will play out in the northern suburbs.

Next weekend (May 8-9), we have another invitational at Deerfield High School with a ton of great teams, so that will be exciting to watch.

Also, the state tournament is the last weekend of May (May 28-30) at Palatine High School…people should come!

What’s next after Latin?
I’m going to Georgetown University next year. I definitely plan to play club tennis, but I’ve talked to the coach of Georgetown’s tennis team and there are a lot of opportunities to get involved with them. Hopefully, if a spot opens up in future years, I’ll have the chance to take it. Fingers crossed for that!

We asked Coach Sabatino a few questions about what it’s like getting to coach Kiyan:

How many years have you been coaching Kiyan?
1 year/season

What do you enjoy about having Kiyan on the team and in Latin's tennis program
Kiyan has been described as the heart of the team, consistently bringing energy and accountability. Whether through on-court encouragement or off-court leadership, he unites his teammates around a shared goal. In a sport as individual as tennis, Kiyan works intentionally to build cohesion and an inclusive team culture.

With over 50 wins, he demonstrates a strong commitment to improvement both on and off the court. While his intensity can be intimidating, he balances it with humor and levity that keeps the team grounded.

As a coach, I value both ownership and coachability—and Kiyan embodies both. He has embraced different coaching approaches and continues to show strong adaptability and a commitment to improvement. His balance of confidence and self-awareness sets him apart, and I’m excited to see how he continues to lead this season.

How could other players learn from Kiyan?
I wish other players would dedicate themselves to more than just hitting a lot. I consistently see Kiyan in the gym working out so he’s in the best overall shape he can be in. He watches tapes to improve strategy, and he researches his opponents to expose their weaknesses. I also want other players to see how engaged he is with his other teammates, which improves the overall culture of the team. He builds others up around him.

The Latin community is proud to recognize seven student-athletes who have committed to continuing their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level. These athletes have shown dedication, resilience, and a strong commitment to their teams throughout their time at Latin, and we are excited to celebrate this accomplishment with them. We congratulate the following students on their commitments and look forward to following their success in this next chapter.

Will H. – Princeton University, Rowing

Will will continue his rowing career at Princeton University, where he plans to study Operations Research and Financial Engineering. Princeton stood out to him for its team culture, strong academics and coaching staff, all of which made the decision feel like the right fit. He is looking forward to stepping into a more competitive environment and taking on a new level of challenge. His time during the 2024 spring season and competing with the national team this past summer stand out as defining experiences in his high school career. Will credits his coach, Matt, for shaping his approach to training and racing with a simple, focused mindset. His advice to younger athletes is to "stay disciplined, every day you are either getting better or getting worse, never the same."

Grayson H. – Wesleyan University, Baseball

Grayson is headed to Wesleyan University to play baseball and study Economics. The connection started early through family, but it stuck because it felt like the right place academically and socially, and because the staff made it clear they wanted him there. He is looking forward to the level of competition and the chance to keep getting better while being part of a tight group. His favorite high school moment was winning a regional title his junior year. He points to his parents as the biggest reason he got to this point. His message to younger athletes is simple. "Set your goals, go after them, and don’t forget to enjoy playing."

Abby K. – Williams College, Field Hockey

Abby will continue her field hockey career at Williams College, where she plans to study Economics. Williams checked every box for her: strong academics, high-level play, and a team culture that felt right right away. She is looking forward to being pushed every day and seeing what she can handle at the next level. Her favorite memory at Latin was being part of the field hockey team that made the program’s first State Final Four run. She credits her parents for being steady through everything, and she keeps her advice short. "Put in the work, even when no one is paying attention."

Olivia L. – Princeton University, Rowing

Olivia is taking her rowing career to Princeton University, where she will study Economics. She was looking for a place that would challenge her in the classroom and on the water, and Princeton gave her that. She is excited to be part of a team that expects a lot and to see how far she can push herself. Racing at the World Rowing Championships stands out as a defining experience during her high school years. She credits her coaches and teammates for raising her standard every day. Her advice is to "raise your own bar, and bring others with you."

Andrew L. – Swarthmore College, Baseball

Andrew will play baseball at Swarthmore College, where the mix of strong academics and a program that felt like a fit made the decision clear. He is looking forward to being part of a team environment and continuing to compete at a high level. A few moments stand out from his time at Latin: his first varsity game as a freshman against Timothy Christian, karaoke on the bus ride back from the Westminster game, and last season’s regional championship. He credits his parents for everything they have put into his journey. His advice is "trust yourself and stick with it."

Lauren R. – Williams College, Soccer

Lauren is headed to Williams College to continue her soccer career and study Economics. She was drawn to the overall experience, high expectations in the classroom, a demanding soccer environment, and a campus community that felt like a fit. She is excited to compete at a higher level and be part of a team that stays connected on and off the field. Many of her best memories come from time spent with her club team at showcases and playoff runs. She points to her early coach, Johnny Ioannou, as someone who pushed her game forward and gave her the confidence to chase bigger opportunities. Her advice to younger athletes is to "go after what you want, stay consistent, and be someone your teammates can rely on."

Jack Z. – Kenyon College, Golf

Jack will continue his golf career at Kenyon College, where he plans to explore his academic interests while competing for a strong program. Kenyon stood out to him for its academics and a golf team that plays a competitive schedule. He is looking forward to the day-to-day work with his team, practicing, competing, and training together throughout the year. His favorite high school moment came when Latin won ISLs and he shot 8 under, a performance that reflects the level he can play at. Jack credits his coach, David Maslen, for his guidance, instruction, and steady support over the years. His advice to younger athletes is easy, "practice is one of the few things you can control, so take it seriously."