Billie Jean King spent some time getting to
know HB fourth graders before she addressed an assembly of Primary and Middle school students during her recent trip to campus. She even was kind enough to pose for pictures with the Upper School tennis teams. King was introduced to the HB assembly by Isabella Godsick ’20, a student in Lois Cameron’s fourth grade class who has chosen the American icon as the Notable Woman she will portray in the spring. King’s visit and presentation were organized by Godsick and her mother, Mary Joe Fernandez, who has had her own storied tennis career. While she was at HB, King told the girls about her career, her inspirations, and her impact on the world. She stayed for more than an hour, sharing advice, insights, and amazing memories. “Being famous is not what everyone thinks it is,” King said. “But being accomplished is great.”
Photo Credit: Marc Golub
She advised the fourth grade students that if they want to be champions in life, they should do these three things: Keep learning how to learn Remember that relationships are everything Be problem-solvers King said she was pleased to discover that HB students are encouraged to be resilient because “champions always adjust or adapt.” When one of the girls asked her what she would most like to be remembered for, King replied, “I don’t know. I’m not finished yet.”
HB
Every year, HB fourth graders choose a Notable Woman to profile for a special end-of-year project. On Thursday, October 27, they got to meet one of the most popular choices – and one of the most notable women in American history and sports – in person.
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