It has been said that home is “where our story begins.” What is especially powerful to witness is when “home” is not only a starting point but also a return destination. Courtney Peters left a remarkable imprint at Naperville Central as a student-athlete – and has made an even greater impact as a teacher and coach in the halls and on the courts of her alma mater. An indomitable force on the volleyball and basketball court as well as on the track, Peters was a consummate competitor in all seasons. Her intensity and spirit earned her multiple varsity letters and countless accolades. Fall was for volleyball, with Peters commanding the court. Her fire and athleticism contributed to three regional and two sectional championships throughout her tenure, as well as an All-Conference designation in her senior year. Winter meant basketball, the backdrop of some of Peters’ best memories. While she and her teammates celebrated making the Sweet 16 in her sophomore season, the best was yet to come. The Lady Redhawks were the undefeated conference and regional champs during Peters’ junior year, when she was named to both the All-Conference team and All-City second team and was highlighted as Naperville Sun Player of the Week. Senior year brought the true sparkle, as Peters and co-captain Candace Parker led the team to its first state championship. Peters remembered, “It was the culmination of years of hard work, off-season training, and dedication. The victory was unforgettable, but more memorable still are the friendships and experiences I had along the way.” Though intently focused on team, Peters had much to celebrate as an individual, garnering again All-Conference and All-City honors, as well as making the Daily Herald All-Area and Honorable Mention All-State teams. In 2011, that squad was inducted into the Illinois High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Reflecting on the celebrations of basketball, Peters chuckled that one of the most vivid memories was getting a black eye in the first quarter of a basketball game against Marshall: “It was a really nasty one and my teammates wouldn’t let me look in the mirror until after the 4th quarter. I played the whole game and my mother was horrified.” The story made its way to the Chicago Tribune, where staff writer Jack McCarthy noted, “Peters doesn't fear mixing it up under the basket […] Peters' physical play has been a key element during the No. 1 Redhawks' 30-game unbeaten streak.” Coach Andy Nussbaum offered in the same article, "Courtney's someone who's willing to rough it up. She's a strong, physical player, which is something we need…she's a good leader, she's funny and she's smart… Courtney is intense in a quiet sort of way, and she's capable of levity when necessary.” That gutsiness – and humor – provided the glue and fire her teammates needed. Peters faced every challenge, serving her team in selflessly, a true captain in word and deed.For all of the excitement of the gym, the track also offered special glory for Peters. Spring set her free in the outdoors, where she quickly distinguished herself in hurdles, sprint relays, and shot put. As a freshman, she earned All-Conference honors, was a DVC champion in the 300m hurdles, and was a state qualifier in the 50m hurdles and 800m medley relay. Sophomore year found her a repeat All-Conference selection, an Indoor DVC champion in 50m hurdles, and a state qualifier in the 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, and 800m relay. As a senior, she was a state qualifier in the shot put, finishing 3rd while setting a school record at the state meet, clearing 42’11”.Peters was as committed to the classroom as she was to competitive play, earning Academic All-Conference honors in all three sports, in multiple years. She was a member of National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, and an Illinois State Scholar, graduating in the Top 5% of her class with National Merit Commended Scholar recognition. When asked what some of her favorite non-athletic memories of Naperville Central were, Peters laughed, “I was a 3-sport athlete and an honors students – I didn’t have time for anything else! Most of my waking hours were spend training or studying, but I never felt like I was missing out on anything. I loved it!”With red and white gear in tow, Peters headed to Brown University where she walked on to the Bears basketball squad. As a freshman, she saw action in 11 games, contributing most notably against Sacred Heart and Princeton. During her sophomore season, she added depth to the frontcourt, playing in 16 games, racking up career highs in points and rebounds against Winthrop. While an injury during her junior season officially ended her playing career, Peters never lost her love for the game, channeling that competitive fire and team commitment into her studies and relationships. A gifted student, Peters earned a degree in Special Education. She has since translated that passion for education into her work as a Special Education teacher and Freshman Girls basketball coach at Naperville Central. For all of her personal achievements, Peters is fiercely committed to loved ones. She and her wife, Heidi Heslinga, NCHS math teacher and coach, are newlyweds, enjoying the simple pleasure of building a professional and personal life together. For Peters, the return “home” to Naperville Central is sweeter than she could have ever imagined. Her advice to current athletes is, “Resist the urge to specialize too early! Participating in multiple sports will help you become a more well-rounded athlete and person.” In every season of life, Peters has given wholeheartedly to all the arenas she has called home, never afraid to take one for the team, and her students, athletes, colleagues, and loved ones are luckier for it.