A Passion for Spanish Shaped This Saint’s Career

During a Zoom session with students in Canterbury’s Spanish 4 classes, Madeline Finnen ’16 reflected on how her love for Spanish led her to educate and empower youth in Panama.

Maddie highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and adapting to different ways of life. She described to students the challenges and rewards of working with local communities, emphasizing how understanding the language and culture opened doors for meaningful connections and opportunities to make a difference.

“Although sports were important for me at Canterbury, I started to develop an interest in Spanish there that grew exponentially,” said Maddie, who played Division I lacrosse and earned a bachelor’s degree in History at the University of Richmond. “I always wanted to go into law, but I continued to learn Spanish, took a trip to Nicaragua, and partnered with an organization called Lacrosse the Nations. That changed everything. I decided it was what I wanted to do for a living, and that eventually led me to Panama.”

The non-profit Lacrosse the Nations improves the lives of children around the world by using the lacrosse field to teach them valuable life skills and bring them joy.

While serving as Program Director for the organization in Bocas Del Toro, Maddie also became Head Administrator and Co-Operator of Bocas Academy, a small high school that, she says, “focuses on a U.S.- and Canada-based online learning curriculum for families with children in Panama. While I have had an amazing experience there for four years, I am moving to Panama City to rekindle my interest in law—coming full circle.”

The immediate plan for Maddie is to open an independent college counseling agency to maintain close connections with students before diving into the academic and legal world of Panama City. Ultimately, she would love to pursue immigration law, another of her passions since high school. Maddie remains involved with Lacrosse the Nations as a volunteer.

Her journey inspired students to pursue their passions. “My biggest takeaway from her talk was to do what you love as soon as you can; that will help you choose a college major you can be excited about,” said Tucker Growney ’26. “Don’t try to follow everyone else to fit in. Be yourself, and follow your own path.”

Maddie’s reflections also provided invaluable perspectives on the power of cultural immersion and the personal growth that comes from living and working in another country.