By Halle Fukawa

Copy Editor 

   Freshman year was a new start, the year of meeting new teammates and getting used to long and laborious practice times. Now, three years later seniors have gained responsibility and knowledge beyond what their past selves could’ve imagined, whether on the court or the field.  

   As the end of the fall sports season draws to a close, seniors from football and girls volleyball celebrate the end of their last season with their sport’s respective Senior Nights as they reflect on accomplishments and lessons learned. 

   This year girls volleyball hosted their Senior Night on Oct. 16 during their game against El Monte, which ended their league season successfully. During the game the girls decorated the team room and gave the seniors sashes to wear for their Hollywood theme. Before the game, each senior received a speech from their lowerclassmen.

   “It still hadn’t registered this was the last game for me,” laughed senior Ilsa Weeks. “But when the juniors were giving their speeches [I realized that] this was actually it!”

   The relationship between the seniors and their younger teammates played a vital role in the team’s function this year. Not just in the practical sense of practicing the sport together, but in the supportive and sisterly expressions of encouragement throughout the year. 

   “[On the court] I was their cheerleader, in a way,” explained senior Crisa Guyangco. “[I would remind them] not to feel pressured when they played, and to have fun. Be positive and don’t bring yourself down!”

   Because many of the sophomores and juniors on the team have known these seniors even outside of their highschool careers, the goodbyes made an even greater impact.

   “I’ve known almost all of the seniors since sixth grade,” recalled junior Lauren Hamamoto. “I’ve learned so much from them, and it’s hard to imagine [the team] without them.”

   This season varsity football also placed heavy emphasis on setting a good example for the lowerclassmen. After being on the team for a few years, seniors explained how they’ve learned from the players before them in order to influence those that come after.

   “I’ve learned discipline and responsibility from being a captain.” stated senior Julio Castro. 

   Unfortunately, varsity football lost their Senior Night game against Rosemead on Oct. 18 after playing valiantly. Despite ending their last home game on a bittersweet note, however, the season as a whole was considered to be a success for many. 

   Even with a spectacular season under their belts, many of the Football seniors are sad to see their days on the team go by so quickly. While the question of what legacy each player will leave behind once they’ve graduated isn’t one a senior can answer for sure, the memories are certain to live on. 

   “What I’ll miss the most is being with my team,” revealed senior Maurizio Iacono. “I don’t have any actual brothers, but I consider everyone on my team one so I’ll miss that feeling.”