ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Navy women's lacrosse senior Bella Paradiso (Falls Church, Va.) has been selected by her teammates to wear No. 6 this season to honor former Navy women's lacrosse player the late Lt. Valerie (Cappelaere) Delaney.
 
"The opportunity to wear No. 6 is an incredible honor," Paradiso said. "This team means everything to me. Representing them, and all who came before us, is deeply humbling. My teammates are my favorite people and the hardest workers I know. This jersey is a constant reminder that they have my back, just as I have theirs. It is a true blessing to play even a small role in honoring Val's legacy by wearing this symbolic jersey."
 
Spearheaded by the Class of 2024, the Navy women's lacrosse team wanted to begin a tradition to honor Cappelaere's legacy by selecting a member of the senior class to wear No. 6 for the season. The player selected has shown the spirit and character with which Cappelaere lived her life.
 
"Bella's selection to wear No. 6 is an honor that symbolizes her dedication to the Navy women's lacrosse spirit," head coach Cindy Timchal stated. "Wearing No. 6 is not about a season or a stat. It is about honoring Val Cappelaere's legacy through daily actions. Bella Paradiso carries that responsibility with grace and strength."
 
Paradiso becomes the third Midshipmen to wear No. 6 in honor of Valerie (Cappelaere) Delaney since the tradition began. She joins Emily Armero ('24) and Tori DiCarlo ('25) as No. 6 honorees.
 
Cappelaere earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy's Class of 2009. She was instrumental in Navy's transition from a club sport to an NCAA Division I varsity program.  Her love for lacrosse and her teammates resulted in deep friendships, and she inspired and mentored many of her teammates to pursue aviation with her same fearlessness and determination.
 
Upon graduation in May 2009, she was selected to be a Naval Aviator, and to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. Cappelaere earned her Wings of Gold in February 2012. She perished on March 11, 2013, when the Navy jet she was piloting crashed in eastern Washington state during a training mission. Her military achievements include the National Defense and Global War on Terrorism Service Medals, and she was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant.
 
Cappelaere will always be remembered as a person of great integrity, strong faith and an unyielding compassion for all those she met. Her legacy is an inspiration to future aviators and all women.
 
Navy women's lacrosse and the Wings for Val Foundation have been connected since its founding in 2015 with the foundation presenting an award each year to the Navy women's lacrosse player that best represents the legacy of Cappelaere.
 
Recipients of the Wings for Val Navy Women's Lacrosse Award include:
2015: Molly McNamara ('16)
2016: Meghan Hubley ('17)
2017: Blake Smith ('18)
2018: Anne Richter ('19)
2019: Andie O'Sullivan ('19)
2020: Annalise Heyward ('20)
2021: Caroline Kwon ('21)
2022: Kasey Dietzel ('22)
2023: Gabby Lavin ('23)
2024: Emily Armero ('24)
2025: Tori DiCarlo ('25)