by Caroline Gilpin

As a young woman interested in the world of sports marketing, Dwight Global Online School senior Zoe H. was thrilled to be the very first high schooler to have a shadow experience with the Atlanta Braves’ marketing department, in July, 2024.

 Zoe’s special career-based experience came about through Dwight Global’s physical education sports marketing lecture series, spearheaded by faculty member Chris Carroll. Carroll arranged for Atlanta Braves’s Anthony Esposito, ​​Vice-President of Ticket Operations, to be a guest lecturer for his classes. As soon as Mr. Esposito started speaking to her physical education class, Zoe was hooked. 

“I tend to ask a lot of questions,” said Zoe. “Mr. Carroll, who is an awesome teacher, noticed my interest and put me in touch with Mr. Esposito, who happens to be Mr. Carroll’s good friend. The story even goes that Mr. Carroll gave Mr. Esposito his first job! My trip took off from there, after I talked with my parents, of course,” Zoe said. 

Zoe, who is also the editor-in-chief of Dwight Global’s student newspaper, The Gazette, met with Esposito in early April to discuss logistics. She traveled to Atlanta with her father for three days this past summer to complete the shadow experience. 

“Because I am under the age of 18, I cannot be employed by the organization, so I “shadowed” to tour and watch various aspects of the team’s day-to-day marketing operations,” said Zoe. “I had an inside view of what happens behind the scenes, which was exciting. I grew up around sports, and am very interested in sports marketing as a potential career,” she said. 

Zoe said she was able to meet the CEO and President of the Atlanta Braves, Mr. Derek Schiller. “It is a publicly traded company, which is unusual, and I was able to ask him questions,” she said. “Of the eight people in marketing, six are women. There are many women working at the club, and it was especially inspiring for me.” 

She also got to go to a press conference, meet a first round draft pick who is her age–17—and watch a home game from the press box, where reporters were tweeting updates. She toured the stadium and watched part of a home game with her father, an activity they hadn’t done together in a long while. They had great seats right behind home plate.
 
Zoe said unexpected bad weather during a home game against The Cincinnati Reds was a chance to watch the rainout procedure. 

“So much goes into it. I found out about the rainout about two hours before it was announced, and in that time, players negotiate certain things around the rescheduled game – for example, how do they handle the rescheduled game on their day off, or can they have their family along if they travel to a new location? Ticket holders—some of them are angry about the changes—also have to be informed, and tickets need to be exchanged through one of many options. The public relations release also had to be written and distributed. I hadn’t realized all the work that goes into it!”

Zoe spent time in the stadium where the Braves have set aside a free playground for families with children, to provide a break from sitting in the stands. The area is called The Sandlot, and it includes ziplines, an arcade, visits from the mascot, and prizes for kids. She learned about special events for season ticket holders, and marketing for subscribers. She also met a Braves player who was on the injured list, but still donating his time to entertain children from the local children’s hospital. “There are aspects of the players we don’t know anything about.  I was floored by the fact he was doing this, and so impressed with his dedication.” 

Carroll said, “l am happy that Zoe was able to see how a professional sports team operates.  There are so many more opportunities for women in sports these days, and Zoe could certainly carve a successful career in sports and/or events based on her personality, work ethic, and drive!  Very proud of her as I talked with Anthony post-experience and he and the Braves staff were very impressed with her. She represented Dwight Global in a very professional and positive manner."

The entire experience was a success, and Zoe said she is grateful to both Mr. Carroll and Mr. Esposito. “I was told by several of the women in Atlanta that Mr. Esposito is a great mentor to them, which has helped them advance in the field. He went out of his way for me and I’m very thankful.”

Zoe came to Dwight Global in 10th grade. Her older sister, an actress, had tried three online schools before finding the flexibility and rigorous academics she was seeking at Dwight Global, and Zoe wanted the same for herself. Their parents were supportive of their move to an online high school.

“I’m not sure I would have found Dwight Global if not for my sister,” said Zoe. “I’ve made many friends here, and I have become more independent as a result of my online school. I make good use of my time, am extremely active in clubs, and I am much more social than I was at my former high school. It’s important to self-initiate and take charge of your own schedule, because no one will do it for you. I’ve learned great time management, and I have no regrets!”