Daylin Boehmer has been helping out others her entire life.
And it’s what made her a standout leader at Franklin Towne Charter High School.
Boehmer is a senior shortstop on the Warriors softball team, and as a player, she’s a leader in every aspect of the game.
She’s a team captain.
She’s one of the girls the others look up to when they need a little boost on or off the field.
And she’s the leadoff hitter who always gives her teammates a quick scouting report at the start of every game.
“I’m pretty good at getting on base, so that’s one of the reasons I hit leadoff,” said Boehmer, who lives in Calvary. “We have really good hitters. I like starting it off. I’ve always been a power hitter, but I’ve been leading off all year. I like being the leadoff, I can see what’s coming for everyone and let them know. I just kind of get everything started off.”
That leadership extends off the field, too.
Franklin Towne Charter is known for its great mentor program, where upperclassmen take freshmen under their wing and show them the ropes. It’s kind of like being a captain in sports, but doing it in school.
Sophomore year, Boehmer joined the program because she loves helping people and she loves her high school. The last two years, she’s been a mentor to the mentoring program.
“I just help them, kind of tell them what it’s like doing it, it’s called mentor council,” said Boehmer, who is also a member of the National Honor Society and is ranked in the top 10 percent of her senior class. “It’s a great program. It’s one of the reasons I love Franklin Towne so much. I love being around the other students. I’ve made a lot of friends and it’s a pretty good experience, helping other people.”
Boehmer has really helped the softball team, and has guided them to quite the impressive season.
The Warriors went undefeated in Public League play and await an opponent for their first playoff game on Thursday. Franklin Towne enjoyed a bye in the first round.
Boehmer certainly did her part to help the team, hitting four home runs, including two grand slams, one of which helped the Warriors defeat Central for the top spot in the Public League.
“That was a big one because they’re a really good team,” Boehmer said. “This year has been so much fun. It’s been a great outlet for everyone, we’re just happy we’re playing. It was hard having a year without softball. I play field hockey and we didn’t play that this year, so I’m really happy we were able to get a softball season, especially because it’s my senior year.
“There were rumors we weren’t going to play and we started late, but we’re all so happy we’re playing. It’s even better that we went (9-0 in Public League play).”
The funny thing is, even though the Warriors are loaded with talent, they’re also a very young team. Franklin Towne has only three senior on its roster, so the Warriors could be a top team for a long time.
But this year is very important to the three seniors, and Boehmer hopes they go out with a championship.
“I’ve been playing softball my whole life and this year has been so much fun,” Boehmer said. “We really have a great team, and I’m so proud of everyone. We are all giving it all we got. We don’t have a lot of seniors, just three, but we’re trying to help the younger girls.
“The younger girls are really good. They’re great. They’re the reason we’re doing so well. We have a lot of freshmen. Our pitcher is a freshman and she’s amazing. I can’t wait to see what this team does in the following years.”
Boehmer will also be doing great things in the future. But it won’t be on the softball field.
“I tell everyone I’m retiring, I’ve played my whole life and I love it, but I think I’m retiring,” Boehmer said. “I’m going to Holy Family and I’m going to focus on school.”
She’s got the perfect career picked out, too.
Next year, she’ll major in early childhood education and special education. She’s not only a great mentor as she’s proven throughout her high school career, she’s built a great relationship with kids she’s worked with.
“My whole life, I’ve wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I would always play school. I want to inspire children and help them have the power to change the world.
“I have a job coming up, working at a daycare summer camp, near the Skate Zone. That will be fun, working with children. And I have nine younger cousins, I see them all the time. They’re our future. I like helping them.”
She’s also had her fair share of mentors of her own.
One of them she played for at Franklin Towne.
“We’ve had some of the best times this year, the best times of my life have been playing for Franklin Towne,” Boehmer said. “I made so many close friends and I’ve been so lucky to have (Paige Lang) as our coach. She brought us to this point and really helped us.”
