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A Season to Remember: Celebrating the Inaugural Year of Carrollton Fencing

A Season to Remember: Celebrating the Inaugural Year of Carrollton Fencing
  • Upper School

This week, the Carrollton community gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our inaugural fencing season—an effort made possible by Upper School student and passionate fencer, Adriana Ferreira de Melo '28, 18 passionate administration and staff volunteers, and a group of student-athletes who embraced the sport with courage and enthusiasm.

Throughout the season, 20 students participated in practices, with 90% competing in at least one of the three South Florida School Fencing League tournaments. Together, Carrollton’s Grade 6, middle school, and high school fencing teams earned an impressive four gold and two bronze team medals—a testament to their dedication, teamwork, and competitive spirit.

During the recognition ceremony, one name echoed again and again with heartfelt gratitude: Coach Susana Fornaris. The students took a moment to express what her leadership has meant to them—not just as athletes, but as young women growing in confidence and strength.

“I never thought that I would be so into fencing. But when someone teaches you with kindness and patience you fall in love with what you are learning. Thank you Coach Susana for feeding my newfound passion for fencing.”
— Lara ’31

“She is so great and kind and she is always there for anyone in the team. She really helps you find your struggles in the game and overcome them... even when she was like nine months pregnant she was still lunging!!!”
— Maggie ’29

“Whether it be playing catch the bacon or learning a new defensive skill, she always encourages us when we might not believe in ourselves at first... every single practice was ecstatic.”
— Layla ’26

“She makes our team happy and all of our practices fun.”
— Cali ’27

“She always motivated me to keep trying even when I would lose my confidence.”
— Annie ’28

“She is always determined no matter what happens... she is determined to lead me and my peers to success!”
— Zara ’31

“She has always and never stopped believing in us... all of us did [succeed] because of her amazing coaching and care for us.”
— Anna-Sophia ’29

Coach Susana’s ability to lead with strength, empathy, and unwavering dedication has clearly left a lasting mark on her athletes. Her belief in each fencer’s potential turned a brand-new program into a thriving team, and her joy ignited a love for the sport that will no doubt carry forward in the years to come.

Congratulations to our athletes, Coach Susana, and everyone who supported this extraordinary beginning. The future of Carrollton Fencing is bright—and it’s only just begun.