Student-Athlete Of The Month: Naomi Batty

Naomi Batty doesn’t snag a ton of headlines.

Regardless of whether it’s in school, during her outside activities, or with the Severna Park girls basketball or lacrosse teams, Batty prefers the unassuming leadership role.

Her experience and steady presence, complementing athleticism and perimeter skill, has paid dividends and earned multiple coaches’ trust.

“It’s really about taking on what the coaches give you,” Batty said. “I’m more of a center, so a lot of my scoring comes on putbacks and rebounds rather than shooting 3s or making steals. My job is to keep everything together, so that’s what I do.”

With a 3.8 unweighted and 4.3 weighted GPA, and involvement in multiple extracurricular ventures, the Severna Park senior has shown much more than just a scoring presence.

One of the major clubs Batty is involved with at Severna Park High is One Love, a high school chapter of a foundation dedicated to helping prevent intimate partner violence, especially in athletics. The One Love Foundation is named in honor of Yeardley Love, a Notre Dame Prep and University of Virginia (UVA) lacrosse standout who was killed by her ex-boyfriend, a UVA men’s lacrosse athlete, in 2010.

During Batty’s time in the club, it has grown from a focus on girls lacrosse athletes to SPHS athletes regardless of sport or gender, and ultimately to the student body at large.

“Not a lot of people think about that side of the relationship until there’s a problem, and by then it’s sometimes too late,” Batty said. “It’s one of the biggest clubs at Severna Park, and I’m really proud of helping turn it into what it’s become.”

Beyond One Love, Batty is part of the athletic leadership council at Severna Park, has helped raise more than $1,500 in clothing donations for an Edgewater church, and is interning at an architecture firm in Silver Spring called Studio105.

Architecture is the one certain in Batty’s future – she is undecided about her college destination. She also knows varsity sports are in the rearview mirror, but other than that, the future is open.

Wherever she goes, the leadership skills she’s gleaned at Severna Park will suit her well.

“It’s really important to be consistent and … keep everyone with the same mindset,” she said.

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