Deeply — and equally — invested in music and athletics, both playing cello and lacrosse seemed like strong bets to anchor her future. The Belmont High School senior thought about it all, but in the end chose neither, which helped her rediscover her love for both as she nears the end of this chapter.
“I’m a person that’s really susceptible to believing in what people around me are thinking, and the pressure was hard for me,” said Rodriguez-Clark. “The reason that I started doing these things… It was because I found a lot of inherent joy and fun in them. I’ve been able to come back to that feeling now that the pressure has lessened.”
A standout student, musician, and athlete, Rodriguez-Clark plans to major in mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania. Before college, she’s putting the final touches on an outstanding resume.
As an athlete, Rodriguez-Clark serves as a team captain and de facto leader of the defensive unit as the Marauders chase a run in the MIAA Division I Tournament. As a musician, she sits first chair in the school’s orchestra.
Plus, two years ago, as a sophomore, she helped start the school’s Morgan’s Message chapter alongside two older students and two classmates and lacrosse teammates, Sydney Mun and Niamh Lesnik. Morgan’s Message is an international organization that raises awareness about student-athlete mental health.
That she’s able to do it all — and with care — is not lost on the people around her.
“Honestly, I think it’s nothing short of remarkable,” Belmont girls lacrosse coach and assistant principal Dan O’Brien said. “I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years, and I’ve seldom come across someone who’s able to balance everything and never waver from the kind, bubbly personality that she has.”
Rodriguez-Clark began playing cello in third grade, the choice she and one of her friends made when the Wellington Elementary School music teacher asked students to pick an instrument. The friend, who initially suggested it, actually stopped playing a few months later.
But Rodriguez-Clark thrived. She began working with a private instructor the next year.
It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic limited much social interaction. Rodriguez-Clark took advantage of the isolation in early middle school to expand her cello skills.
“It’s honestly just the way it played out,” she said. “I did all sorts of random things during COVID, but I was having a lot of fun with the cello as a way to fill my time.”
She’s since performed in ensembles not only at school, but also with the New England Conservatory, Powers Music School, Rivers School Conservatory, and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Rodriguez-Clark, a four-year indoor track competitor, began playing lacrosse in fifth grade and made the high school varsity roster as a freshman. A starter since her sophomore year, she played club lacrosse with the Bay State Bullets.
Balancing it all required some adjustment.
“It was really hard for me to learn that I couldn’t give my 100% to everything,” Rodriguez-Clark said. “I’ve gotten a lot better at that.”
The lacrosse team graduated three starting defenders. Rodriguez-Clark stepped in to lead an inexperienced group. Junior Lily Cook, a fellow defender, described Rodriguez-Clark as “just the best.”
“We really needed that direction, and she’s just given that to us,” Cook said. “She’s an awesome person to be around.”
After seeing the “ruthless” world of college sports recruiting, Rodriguez-Clark ditched the idea of continuing lacrosse in college. The music world, too, brought out an unexpected level of competition among her peers. At Penn, Rodriguez-Clark plans to major in mathematics, a subject full of “joy and skill-based learning” similar to what she appreciates from cello and lacrosse.
“There are all these tricks you can learn, and I think it’s so cool,” said Rodriguez-Clark, who may pursue a master’s degree in education. Music and sports will not leave her regular schedule. Rodriguez-Clark hopes to play club lacrosse and pursue musical extracurricular activities without stress.
“She works tremendously hard,” O’Brien said. “She’s found a way to balance commitment and hard work.”
