In a sea of over 20 male-identifying post-graduates that joined the class of 2023 this fall, Callia Ferraris ’23 and Kaley MacDonald ’23 are the only female-identifying PGs continuing their athletic careers at Deerfield this year. 

Ferraris and MacDonald both play for the girls varsity hockey team where they’ve made a significant impact. Head Coach Brooke Fernandez described Ferraris, “a versatile team-first player, who has seamlessly stepped into a leadership role for us on and off the ice.” She continued, “Because of her phenomenal work ethic and smooth and steady presence, she is counted on in every on-ice situation for us this season.” Of MacDonald, Coach Fernandez said, “Kaley has incredible poise with the puck and great hockey IQ.” She also applauded MacDonald for her “calming presence on the ice for [the team].” 

Prior to hockey season, however, the girls first had to adjust to life at Deerfield. For Ferraris, the transition was eased by her place on the varsity field hockey team this fall. For MacDonald, however, getting used to life on campus was a bit tougher. Luckily, the pair had help from CC Deslauriers ’23 and Marnie Todd ’23. Ferraris said, “Shout out to CC for being our Green Key and showing us the ropes.” MacDonald added, “And Marnie for being really welcoming.”

MacDonald, hailing from the Nobles and Greenough School, has found Deerfield spirit to be a defining trait of the school, though she said, “I still have a hard time doing Aga Chi or singing the Evensong.” 

Ferraris agreed, comparing Deerfield’s fan base to that of her previous school, the Taft School: “We don’t get as many fans as the boys, but compared to the amount of fans we got at Taft, it’s night and day.” She added, “I probably would have come [to Deerfield] instead of Taft if I had known how much school spirit and athletic support there is here.” 

Reflecting on her time in the Valley thus far, Ferraris expressed that there is a more relaxed nature in a PG year compared to a typical highschool experience. At Taft, she said, “I was a part of clubs, I did everything, and I knew everybody.” At Deerfield, however, she said, “It’s kind of refreshing that I don’t have to worry about any of that.” An additional benefit of being a PG is, according to Ferraris, “getting to cheat the system.” She explained, “We get here and we automatically get all the senior privileges.”

Referring to her own Deerfield experience, MacDonald said, “There’s so much here, but we’re here for such a short period of time that it’s so hard to ‘buy in.’” 

A true measure of her time here, however, will be at Commencement this May. Earlier in the hockey season, MacDonald and Assistant Coach Toby Emerson made a bet about whether or not she will cry when it’s time for her to bid goodbye to Deerfield. If she does end up shedding a tear, MacDonald will get a tattoo of the Deerfield door, and if not, Mr. Emerson will get MacDonald’s email — kmacdonald23@deerfield.edu — inked. 

Though hockey season is ending soon, Ferraris and MacDonald are looking forward to spring in the Valley. Some of their goals for the warmer months include visiting the Rock, taking a dip in the River, getting back into a routine of eating breakfast in the dining hall, getting tan on the Lower Fields, and continuing to meet friends on campus.

For the time being, the pair is finding company with their newest friend, a beta fish named Pumpkin who they share with Delauriers and Todd.