Hockaday seniors Avery Jackson, Abby Grace McGowan Caroline Stevens, Zoe Stone and Jaden Thomas. Photo courtesy of Dallas ISD.

Each year, seniors announce their college choices and this year, five Hockaday athletes announced their college choices and signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) including Avery Jackson, Abby Grace McGowan, Caroline Stevens, Zoe Stone and Jaden Thomas.

Jackson will play beach volleyball at Stanford University after a four-year varsity stint on Hockaday’s volleyball team. She was named USA Volleyball’s Female Athlete of the Year and Beach Volleyball Clubs of America Best in Beach in 2023 and also holds numerous All-SPC awards and SPC titles. “I chose Stanford because of its high academic rigor and competitive athletic programs,” she notes. “The opportunities athletes have to explore in the classroom are unlike any other university. California also offers the most opportunities to play beach volleyball professionally after college.”

“You always hear about legacies and leaving a program or sport in a better place than it was when you arrived,” said Coach Gass. “Avery has done just that, and the Hockaday program and the game of volleyball will never be able to thank her enough. “We have been truly blessed to have one of those players, Avery Jackson. She has not only made herself better over her career but her teammates, her school, and her coaches. She has driven everyone to be the best versions of themselves.”

After two years on Hockaday’s varsity team, McGowan will join the rowing team at the University of Virginia. Her achievements include both state and Central region championships, as well as competing and finishing in the top 10 twice at the National Championships. She’s also earned Hockaday the title of the Junior Quad at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia.

“I chose UVA because of the combination of rigorous academics and the team atmosphere,” McGowan said. “It has always been my dream school and when I went there on my visit and met the team and coaching staff, it felt like home. I was amazed by the team culture, that I hadn’t seen at any other team, and the amazing training environment.”

“A current co-captain, Abby Grace brings a joy of rowing and a tenacious work ethic to the team,” Hockaday coach, Will Forteith, said.

Stevens earned the first medal in the Junior Quad at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia in 2023. Recently, she was the three-seat in Hockaday’s coxed quad and finished 11th at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, MA. She will join the rowing team at Georgetown University.

“I chose Georgetown because of its exceptional community that spoke to both my ambitions as a student and dedication as an athlete,” Stevens said. “Georgetown’s commitment to building up the individual, coupled with its emphasis on service will empower me to pursue my passions at the McDonough School of Business where I plan to study Finance. When I visited Georgetown, the team was incredibly welcoming, and I am immensely grateful to join a group of women who will challenge me to transcend my limits while I grow alongside them.”

“Even though she came to the sport later than most, Caroline won the novice quad at Central Regions and quickly moved into the top varsity boats her junior year because of her work ethic, coachability, and constant drive to improve,” Forteith said.

Stone will also join the Georgetown University rowing team. During her junior year, she earned Hockaday’s first medal in the Junior Quad at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia in 2023. During the summer, she trained in Boston with CRI. Recently, she was the two-seat in Hockaday’s coxed quad that finished 11th at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, MA.

“I chose Georgetown because I love DC, the community of the rowing team, and the university’s commitment to service,” Stone said. “I am planning on studying Global Affairs or International Relations at the Walsh School of Foreign Service.”

“Chair of the Athletic Board and filled with boundless school spirit, Zoe brings positivity, determination, and commitment to the team,” Forteith said.

Thomas will go on to play soccer at Stanford University after four years on Hockaday’s varsity team where she was a two-time SPC champion. In her club team, FC Dallas, she was named the ECNL Texas Conference Player of the Year in 2023, an ENCL Under-17 All-American in 2023 and was selected as a member of the Under-17 National Team in February. She is currently the third-best player in Texas and ninth in the country by Top Drawer Soccer.

“I chose Stanford because it was always my dream school since I started playing soccer,” Thomas said. “It’s the place where you don’t have to sacrifice one of your priorities for another, it allows you to obtain one of the best degrees possible while playing soccer at the highest level with the best in the country. On my official visit when I was driving up to the campus for the first time and saw the Stanford Oval, I got a feeling in my stomach and knew in my heart that this is where I was meant to be for the next four years.”

“Jaden has been a vital member of the varsity soccer team all four years of high school and has been elected captain of the team by the players and coaches this year,” Hockaday soccer coach, Rod Skaif, said. “For two years she has been our top scorer, only missing out her second year due to injury which sidelined her for the whole season. Hopefully, she will lead the program to a championship this year!”