Between networking sessions with Bears female employees, including those in executive leadership positions, and a pair of panels where staff members provided insight into the variety of roles inside an NFL organization, the group of bright-eyed girls gained a new perspective on how playing football at a young age can influence both their short and long-term futures.
"It's powerful to see women in a male-dominated industry," Glover said. "I feel like it really helps you see a reflection of yourself and what you know you can do."
Since Spann began coaching at Whitney Young, she has always made sure to drill the value of gratitude and being present into her players. Throughout the Dolphins' run this season, she constantly urged them to enjoy the moment and appreciate the journey. More than anyone, she knows the power this sport holds.
Spann hoped the girls were hearing her pleas, which really encompassed those of generations of women, but at times, it felt as if they were falling on deaf ears.
Yet during our final team lunch, the truth came out. Before Molly and I left, we asked the girls if they wanted to share any lasting thoughts from the season.
"When we were younger, we always used to have to play football with the boys," Dudley said. "That wasn't fun. They didn't respect you."
"Freshman year when I started playing flag, not a lot of people knew what it was," Hormuth added, "There is such a big difference in one year as to how much this sport has grown. Now I'll talk to boys on the football team and they'll be like, 'Oh, you went to State, that's really cool,' and it's not in a mocking way. It's cool to see everyone else start respecting the sport as well."
"I've always loved football," sophomore Hannah Moore said. "There's a lot of little girls who would love to play football, but they couldn't. Now they can because of flag. It's a really great opportunity and I'm thankful we're at the forefront of it, that we're paving the way."
"Coming into high school, I didn't really imagine myself playing flag, but now I couldn't really imagine school without it," Schuler said. "It was a blessing in disguise because now it's something I'll always look forward to."
"I'm just really grateful for flag," Rubenstein said. "It's brought me a lot of happy memories over the years. I just love being a part of something that's touched so many people."