By Evie Beale

Sports Editor

    Most people don’t know much about fencing, and it is rarely talked about or watched. At R.J. Reynolds High School, however, fencing is a big deal for some. While Nguyen is seen as a painter, she is also the captain of our very successful fencing team that does not get the credit it deserves.

    While having a sister who was a phenomenal athlete in the field helped inspire Nguyen, she also began fencing as a way to switch things up in her life.

    “I wanted to do something I was interested in that wasn’t painting, and I also needed to do some type of sport,” Nguyen said.

    After taking up fencing, Nguyen found out she was very good at it, and filled the leadership role on the fencing team at RJR in a way she would have never expected in years prior.

    “I’ve always been an introverted person, so being captain and president has helped me come out of my shell a little bit as I learned to use my voice,” Nguyen said. “Not to be afraid to shout and be stern, and how to help others through the actual fencing portion or through their emotions.”

    Though she has to be more intuitive when teaching fencing, Nguyen has done a fantastic job being a support system for the team, and she enjoys watching them grow.

    “The most rewarding part is definitely knowing the fact that people can rely on you,” Nguyen said. “They’re trusting you enough to allow you to comfort them if needed. It is very rewarding to know that there are people who trust me, or seeing all of your hard work pay off.”

    As a leader with lots of time and experience in the sport, Nguyen has experienced many different things and learned so much from her peers.

    “One lesson I have learned that I deem very important was learning I had to be patient and lenient, but I also had to know when to be stern and take initiative,” Nguyen said.

    While trying to implement a fun environment for her teammates, Nguyen has also enjoyed herself.

    “[My favorite memory is when] we went to Virginia for a meet at Hargrave,” Nguyen said. “It was so fun since we had never been out of state. Afterwards, we went to get pizza, and before we left, we got rubber ducks from the claw machine. On the way home, we blasted music all the way back to Winston.

    Fencing has allowed Nguyen to make fun memories that will last a lifetime, and it has also shifted from being something Nguyen is gifted at to a distraction from stressors outside of the sport.

    “At first, fencing was something I knew I was good at and something I knew I wanted to get started and lead,” Nguyen said. “It was a way for me to learn how to coordinate, and it was the only sport I had interest in. However, later on, it became a reward type of thing. It was something I could fall back on. If I had a bad day at school or if I did really well on a test, fencing was either a source of comfort or a reward for doing something well.”

    Nguyen is unsure if fencing will be in her future, but she will definitely find ways to stay involved, whether that’s coaching or helping out at RJR. Since joining the team, her fantastic leadership and amazing character have paved the way for a bright future, as she has become a fantastic leader and built up an amazing character since joining the team.