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Athlete Q&A with Nashua’s Jasmine Sylvester

By Hector Longo - Staff Writer | Feb 17, 2019

At 2-8 through the first half of the season, the Nashua South High girls basketball team looked destined for a trip to the basement with another disappointing non-playoff campaign.

Jasmine Sylvester would have none of it.

Buoyed by the spunky senior, South has reeled off four wins in the last six to close in on a postseason spot.

The Panthers appear to be playoff bound and Sylvester is ready to extend her high school career.

“We got confidence as we started to develop more trust with each other. We’re all there for each other, and if we work together, we are going to be more successful,” said Sylvester. “We are thinking playoffs. We’ve struggled in past years to make it to playoffs. All the girls have worked hard to make, and that feels good, especially since it’s my senior year.”

With two games left in the regular season, Sylvester took some time out of her busy schedule to talk a little about the past, present and future of what looks like a special ride for this community-minded standout.

Four years of Nashua South basketball, are you emotional about the end?

“It goes by pretty fast. I love every single one of the girls on this team. It will be tough leaving this family.”

You mentioned the bond with your teammates and how special it is. You only have one senior classmate on the team, right?

“Yes, Kendall Bush. We’ve been through a lot together. We started out as rivals in Junior Biddy ball. Even as rivals, we were good friends. But as teammates, we’ve really grown together. She’s so outgoing, a great athlete, a great team player. We are a lot alike. We like to put the team ahead of ourselves, and that’s really special.”

So, it’s senior year. What’s up with your future?

“I’m going to Rivier where I will study to get my bachelor of science degree in nursing.”

Why Rivier? Why not hit the road?

“It was important to me to be close to home. I can commute and stay with my family. My sister Jennelle is a freshman. I don’t want to miss her high school experience. I want to be here for her.”

Do you plan on playing basketball at Rivier?

“Absolutely. It’s exciting to know I’ll be playing another four years at Rivier. I’ll have the opportunity to re-build the trust and the bonds and enjoy the good times with another set of girls. I can’t wait.”

Why nursing?

“I hope to be a cardiovascular surgical nurse. I’ve always liked helping people, making other’s lives easier. As a nurse, I can help others and be more satisfied in my life, knowing I helped someone and putting them before myself. That’s always a good feeling.”

Giving back to others. It seems like that’s very important in your life?

“I like to volunteer. I’ve volunteered with middle school teams, city of Nashua summer programs, camps. It’s very important to me. Coming in as a freshman, I was focused on myself, bettering myself, looking to improve myself. I thought that by giving back, I could improve myself. I like to see smiles on other people’s faces.That’s what makes me happy.”

How about a job? Are you working, too?

“Yes, I work at Chewey’s Playland in Doggie Day Care, boarding, grooming and bathing dogs.”

Sounds interesting, do you have a favorite dog breed?

“I love Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. They’re hunting dogs, smart, hard-working and that just relates to me, and they’re cute obviously.”

How about a least favorite?

“Probably huskies, adorable but they are off the wall.”

All right, Jasmine. We know you are busy, but before you go, tell us about your favorite part of school?

“Definitely my nursing classes in school. Health science with Ms. Deborah Pothier is the best. It’s the class I look forward to going to each day. Through that class I’ll be getting my Licensed Nursing Assistant certification even before I get to college.”

First up, though, what do you think about the rest of the hoop season?

“I’m expecting the whole team to work hard. We know what we’re capable of. We have to work and trust in ourselves.”

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