Clark’s Winslow Sees the Future as Bright
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Worcester campus after spending the last few years working as an Opthalmic Technician at the Eye Health Vision Center in North Dartmouth, Mass. “Senior year [of high school] I knew I wanted to do something in health services, and I just kind of came upon optometry.” Winslow said.
Adversity to Doctor
MCPHS received accreditation for their optometry school in November and Winslow will be a member of their first graduating class. “I'm glad he found something that gave him this much drive in his life,” his aunt, Luann Navach, said. “I can't wait until he's a doctor.”
Jeff Cohen, Head Coach of Clark's lacrosse team said, “He is excited that his future is locked up for the next few years.” Excelling academically in one of Clark's toughest majors is nothing new for the strong-willed Winslow. After being dropped of by his mother to live at his aunt and uncle's house at five-years-old Winslow faced a struggle that most people never dream of facing.
“It made me emotionally stronger and more independent than the normal kid,” Winslow said. “It made me steadfast and made me realize I needed to do something with my life; I wouldn't stop until I achieved it.”
The sacrifice - as Winslow described it - that his aunt and uncle made by taking him into their home while already having two children of their own, has not been taken for granted. “Without them I wouldn't have been able to see my goals come true. I am grateful for them taking me into their family.”
“He is also a Big Brother,” Navach said. “He has done such great things and is even finding time to do something special for somebody elses' life.” Almost seventeen years after his mother's sister took him into her home, Winslow has made quite a name for himself. Besides his graduate school plans and being a Big Brother, he is also one of the captains of Clark's lacrosse team, where he is the vocal leader of the offense.
Star in the Making
“He's doing an exceptional job,” Cohen said. “He is implementing and staying with the plan. He is an unbelievable leader with great work ethic.” Winslow is humble and never satisfied. He said, “With leading the team, I can improve and be more vocal off the field; it's easier on the field because I call the plays. I need to get more comfortable with approaching the players when there are issues [off the field.]”
Last season, Winslow had career-highs in points, with 35, and assists, with 17, both of which led the team. His 16 goals were good for third on the team, but his focus as a player has laid in setting other players up.
“He has a great ability to see his teammates and get the ball to them,” Cohen said. Over Winslow's first three seasons he has been either first or second on the team in assists every year.
While being a set-up man is great, Cohen noted, “This year we are going to play him all around, make him more of an all-around player and more of a scorer, as opposed to just the set-up guy he's been in the past.”
Winslow began playing lacrosse his freshman year of high school, while attending Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, R.I. “Baseball started to bore me and I wanted to try a new sport. My hockey friends turned me on to it,” Winslow said.
Winslow is an upstanding student-athlete that draws the respect and admiration of coaches and peers alike. “Phil is extremely dependable, true to his word, and lighthearted,” said Kenny Howard, a Senior soccer player at Clark. “He's driven by his competitiveness and never seems to lose focus on what he wants in life.”
“Everything he has become he has earned,” Cohen confidently stated. “He shows up in all the things he is doing.” While Winslow is still a few months from graduation, and a few years from being an optometrist, he is already making huge strides to better himself and those around him.
“He is going to make a big difference in the world,” Navach said. “We're looking forward to it."
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