Oberlin, Ohio - Women's Lacrosse  team captain Maddie Fierstein, (Riverdale Country Day, Pelham, NY) has been named a Fulbright Fellow for 2010-11. A senior Politics major with a concentration in International Relations, Fierstein will spend next year in Mexico where she plans to teach English and start a youth soccer program.

A gritty four-year defender, Fierstein has excelled in the Oberlin classroom and as well on the playing fields. She played two years of field hockey and four years of lacrosse, earning Academic All-American honors in both sports.

“As a student-athlete, Maddie has balanced many of her interests well—in the classroom, in the local community, and abroad,” said Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Deb Ranieri. “She is an optimistic and outgoing person, a perfect ambassador for the Fulbright program. Maddie is as passionate about her own learning and travel as she is about serving others, and the Fulbright will allow her to continue to do all the things she has done so well here at Oberlin. We are very excited for her.”

As a first year student, Fierstein began teaching Spanish in the Oberlin public schools and she has proven to be a dedicated teacher throughout her college career. In her four years volunteering with Spanish in the Elementary Schools (SITES), Fierstein has spent time teaching Kindergarten, first, second and third grade. She is currently the grade level coordinator for the SITES first grade program. She also participates in Oberlin Young Educators and teaches English as a Second Language in the community.

A veteran traveler, Fierstein spent her Junior year in a Border Studies program that took her to Nogales, Sonora and Tuscon, Arizona. Earlier this spring she was accepted to Teach for America and scheduled to begin teaching in the Rio Grande Valley area of Texas, also on the border with Mexico border. However, she has deferred that placement until after she completes her Fulbright year.

Established by Congress in 1946, the Fulbright Fellows Program is part of the largest U.S. international exchange program. Fulbright Fellows spend a year abroad to undertake self-designed programs that foster global outreach and international understanding.

When she is not busy fostering global outreach, tutoring for SITES, writing politics papers or anchoring the defense for the women's lacrosse team, Fierstein can be seen “chill-laxin'” with her friends or baking red velvet cupcakes, and of course, the team's favorite cookie: madeleines.

Looking ahead to her next adventure, Fierstein broke a smile, and—in typical Fierstein fashion—took time to give credit where it's due. “My parents are the most supportive people in my life” she said.

And when it comes to supportiveness, Fierstein should know. She makes deep and lasting connections with almost everyone she encounters. “Maddie has a wonderful capacity for knowing how to read people and
respond. Her supportiveness comes in many forms, She can bring needed seriousness to a situation or she can lighten up a moment that needs a bit of levity,” said Co-Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Nancy Boutilier.

Whether it is giving members of her ESOL class hugs when she sees them downtown or helping a teammate in need, Fierstein is indeed more than just a captain, and she will certainly be missed on and off the field by her teammates. First-year goalkeeper Madeleine O'Meara that Fierstein “redefines what it means to be a true captain.” According to O'Meara, not only does Fierstein provide direction and leadership on the field, but she also “makes everyone Valentines, calls when she senses something is wrong, and has pasta dinners at her house before games.”

Fierstein's giving seems to inspire others to give back to her, and one of the most memorable Oberlin gifts was when teammates and friends painted their stomachs to spell out “Happy Birthday, Maddie!”

That may be a tough act to follow, but it seems that no matter where she is, Fierstein has a knack for bringing out the creative energy in others. So, only time and travel and teaching will tell.