Brookline's Youth Of The Year? Anita Mayfield-Sheehan

BROOKLINE, MA — She's not one to give up. And that's a noble lesson. Anita Mayfield-Sheehan is this year's Brookline Youth of the Year, Harvey Braverman of the non profit Brookline Hub announced last night at an awards ceremony designed to focus on the achievements of young people in the community.

The High School senior grew up playing sports and in particular had a deep love for hockey since she was 8 years old she was on the field and ice with the stick. She'd played varsity at the high school all four years but was forced to stop all sports last year because of to a life-threatening heart condition. It forced her to consider the prospect of never playing hockey again, though she always dreamed she'd go on to play in college.

"At the time my skills had deteriorated to the point where I was unable to play at the level I knew I was capable of. I thought perhaps hockey was passing me by," she wrote on her personal statement online about her experience.

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And then she found a surgical team that told her it might be possible to play again at a high level.

"I vowed then and there to do everything possible to come back. I had surgery in March 2016, and despite being warned it would take a year to recover, I worked with a trainer and managed to get back in time for varsity field hockey and pre season ice hockey. My surgeon was right - I have been able to play at the level I expect," she said.

As she's prepping to play hockey in college. This experience has taught her about the value of not giving up, and it is for that the Brookline Hub recognized her.

"Her perseverance to get back to the field never wavered and she went on to become captain of both this year’s Brookline High School field hockey and ice hockey teams," said Braverman.

Sponsored by BrooklineHub.com and the Town of Brookline, the Youth Awards celebrates local teens who are making a difference. There is no specific criterion a young person has to meet to be recognized. The Brookline Youth Awards honors teens between the ages of 13 and 19 who either live in or attend school in Brookline, and have done something worthy of emulation. Past award recipients have been recognized for their various achievements, courage overcoming adversity or helping others do the same, displaying exceptional kindness, character and generosity of spirit. Typical nominees are teens who volunteer their time in service to their community, display leadership in support of a cause, and/or show exceptional success, ingenuity and creativity in their chosen pursuits, according to the Brookline Hub website.

Photo courtesy Brookline Hub via Twitter