Faces of Westlake

from Westlake Magazine 2022

Residents’ Guide

// THE SPORTING LIFE Adelaide Aquilla

// ONE WITH NATURE

To Eileen Dorsey, naturescapes are not simply subjects she captures on canEileen vas. They’re places of healing and rejuvenation. “When I was a kid, I’d go Dorseyhiking with friends,” says the Westlake native, who recalls childhood memories of exploring the thickets behind St. Bernadette Elementary School, “and I’d also go there by myself. It was a place of adventure and a place of solitude at the same time, and I fell in love with being in the forest.”

Her oil and acrylic paintings reflect that ardor, and the artist is constantly on the lookout for details the rest of us often miss.

“I see colors a little bit differently than other people,” Dorsey says. “Most people think the color of tree bark is brown. But maybe when there’s green leaves surrounding it, or the seasons are changing, or a cloud passes over it, the bark reflects the way the world is reacting around it. It can, for instance, be various shades of brown or even black, gray or purple. That’s very meditative for me.” A delaide Aquilla tried shot put for the first time in eighth grade. Her passion for the sport has never cooled.

“It’s a very detail-oriented sport,” says

Aquilla, 22, a student at The Ohio State

University double-majoring in communications and hospitality management. “If you look at shot put from the outside, you think, ‘Oh, that person’s throwing really hard with their arm.’ But there’s a lot of different movements that go into making a good throw.” Clearly, the Westlake native has mastered them. In 2019, Aquilla was an NCAA outdoor qualifier for the shot put, finishing 12th with a personal best toss of 16.59 meters to earn secondteam All-America honors. Last year, the Westlake native was successful in defending

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// ADELAIDE AQUILLA

her title of Big Ten Conference indoor shot put champion — following her win in 2020 with a personal best toss of 17.82 meters — with a personal best throw of 19.12 meters — and was named Ohio State’s Female Athlete of the Year. She credits her parents for introducing her and two younger brothers to the wide world of sports. “They encouraged us to test the waters to see what sports we like,” says Aquilla, who avidly weight trains to stay in shape.

The athlete was honored to represent the United States and her hometown as a member of Team USA in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Although Aquilla was eliminated in the qualifying rounds, she’s grateful for the experience.

“It was awesome to be there,” the shot putter recalls. “I’m thankful for all the people who reached out and gave me their support.”

Aquilla offers this advice to athletes of all skill levels: “Don’t focus on the outcome because if you do, you’ll overstress yourself — which I’ve done many times. Instead, focus on your technique — that’s what’s in your power to control.” Dorsey embraced artistry at an early age. She discovered her flair for drawing in elementary school. By the time she was in eighth grade, the budding artist had mastered the technique of making friendship bracelets out of yarn for her family and friends. “We lived along Center Ridge Road, and instead of selling lemonade, I sold the bracelets,” she recalls with a laugh. “I’ve always been a bit of an entrepreneur.” These days, Dorsey, who graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor of fine arts degree, can be found in 78th Street Studios, dabbling in different styles that include the jewel-toned abstracts her legions of fans admire. Visitors are invited to stop by during the studio-wide art walk that takes on the third Friday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m. “Don’t focus on the Dorsey is also known for her murals, including “More Heart Than Art,” outcome because a 16-by-25 foot collaborative piece she created with Chicago-based artist Ish if you do, you’ll Muhammad that’s installed in the Goroverstress yourself — don Square Arts District. During last year’s Westlake-Bay Vilwhich I’ve done many lage Rotary Arts Festival, Mayor Dennis times. Instead, focus on your technique — Clough recognized her talent by proclaiming July 31 as “Eileen Dorsey Day.” “I hope everyone who sees my work that’s what’s in your will be inspired to notice how colorful power to control.” and beautiful the world around them really is,” she says. // eileendorsey.com

“I hope everyone who sees my work will be inspired to notice how colorful and beautiful the world around them really is.”

www.cityofwestlake.org/recreation 440.808.5700 | recinfo@cityofwestlake.org

Westlake Aquatic Center and Peterson Pool Westlake Recreation Center

Westlake residents can purchase 2022 pool passes starting March 1. Book your summertime birthday party here!

The center is home to 5 indoor pools, modern  tness equipment, indoor track, basketball courts and spaces for parties and rentals. A wide variety of programs and events are off ered for all ages. We off er something for everyone!