highlights
Dec. 9, 2016 Volume 90, Issue Six Beverly Hills High School Beverly Hills, California beverlyhighlights.com
A Thousand Words:
Albion Street Magic
Senior Jared Minami shares smiles with Albion Street fifth-grader Kimberly after giving her a present. Photo By: VIVIAN GEILIM
Senior athletes say goodbye to their sports
ON THE WEB Students punished for adolescence Ben Dahan staff writer
Superintendent Steve Kessler announces retirement after 40 years in BHUSD
Isaiah Freedman sports editor
AJ Wolken staff writer
These stories and more at: beverlyhighlights.com
Senior Patrick Levy jogs off the field. Photo By: PRISCILLA HOPPER
INSIDE
Saying goodbye can be excruciating. Whether it be someone you love going off to college or your favorite sports team being broken up, coping with the sorrow never becomes any easier. For a high school athlete, after playing a sport with such dedication and pouring all of one’s effort toward
SPOTLIGHT NEWS
that sport for four long years, it can be agonizing to come to the realization that one will not be good enough to play in college and will have to “retire.”
(Continued on Page 8)
SPORTS
this issue
Measure Y: Where are we now?
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Celebrating semester’s end with Formal Page
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Varsity girls water polo tutors junior varsity Page
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December 9, 2016
Highlights
How to stay safe from winter sickness
Highlights Print Keith Stone and Veronica Pahamova editors-in-chief
and SEASONS ARE HERE! As winter falls upon us, caustionary measures become crucial.These include regularly washing hands, regularly keeping up with vaccinations, not touching eyes, nose, mouth and always staying away from people who are sick.
Jason Harward, Priscilla Hopper, Rinesa Kabashi, Evan Minniti staff writers
Jamie Kim news editor
Isaiah Freedman sports editor
Natasha Dardashti multimedia editor
Web Ben Shofet and Max Yera editors-in-chief
Ben Dahan, Sam Bernstein, Lauren Hannani, AJ Wolken staff writers
Eleanor Bogart-Stuart culture editor
54.4
Vivian Geilim opinion editor
MILLION AMERICANS FROM AGES13-17 GET THE COLD EACH YEAR
Sophia Goldberg business manager Gaby Herbst
*all information from the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)*
46.6 %
OF ALL AMERICANS GOT FLU VACCINATIONS IN 2015
SYMPTOMS (flu): FEVERISH, COUGH, RUNNY NOSE, MUSCLE/ BODY ACHES, SORE THROAT, CHILLS
SYMPTOMS (cold): SORE THROAT, WATERY EYES, STUFFY/RUNNY NOSE, COUGH Infographic by: PRISCILLA HOPPER
adviser —
Our goal as a student-run publication is to provide reliable, accurate and fair content that informs and intrigues the Beverly Hills community by following the principles of ethical journalism and represents the student body. We will deliver a broad spectrum of coverage through a variety of mediums, including online and print. Highlights is a forum for public expression that is produced by the Advanced Journalism class of Beverly Hills High School, 241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Letters to the editor may be sent to beverlyhighlights@gmail.com. Visit beverlyhighlights.com. Follow @bhhighlights on Instagram and Twitter.
Students to celebrate end of semester with Formal Priscilla Hopper staff writer Rinesa Kabashi staff writer As the first semester ends and the temperature drops, the student body dons dresses, suits and tuxedos in preparation for the 2016 Winter Formal. The theme for this year’s Winter Formal was chosen through surveys sent through Facebook and is “Black and White”. It will be held at the Penthouse Nightclub in West Hollywood on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. where a buffet, photo booth, patio and dance floor will be provided. ASB began planning for formal over the summer, but their starting point in the school year was in the middle of September. “We have worked our butts off to try to find a venue that will be beautiful, have the feel of a night-club, and yet stay within the budget and safety concerns of us being a public school and being responsible for our students while they are there,” ASB advisor Jennifer Goolsby said.
With an ASB card, tickets will be $45, without the price is $60. In efforts to boost ticket sales, ASB posted signs in the hallways announcing their willingness to cooperate with students who want to propose to fellow classmates. “In the past people have been hesitant to ask someone to formal because they didn’t know how to ask. This year ASB is providing a public service to whoever wants an extra hand planning proposals. We think that by doing this public service we can encourage students to ask their friends knowing that ASB is helping and supporting them,” headrow treasurer senior Eliana Martin said. Junior Ethan Eils believes school-run, formal events like this are unnecessary. “Everyone always makes a huge fuss about formal and, yet, it’s just a dance. I have never seen dances and major school events as mandatory. Those of us who are on the outside tend to only go to these dances because of peer pressure, and I
have decided to swim against the stream and not be ruled by the whims of my classmates,” Eils said. On the other hand, junior Aubrianna Schwarz finds formal to be a meaningful experience. “I think it is important to go to school events like winter formal because you can see your friends and classmates all dressed up, and a great way to bond and have memories and pictures to remember high school,” Schwarz said. “As opposed to prom which is only offered to seniors and their dates, Winter Formal is an event where all students can attend. Groups of friends can come together, some can ask each other out in creative ways and others can attend to meet their fellow classmates,” co-ASB president Maytal Sarafian said. “Formal is a celebration of the end of first semester and the end of finals. All students are welcome and encouraged to come and involve themselves in their Norman Nation.”
December 9, 2016
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December 9, 2016
Highlights
MeAsure Y Where are we now?
Jamie Kim news editor Ben Dahan staff writer Intro On the November ballot, Beverly Hills residents voted on Measure Y, which proposed that the district issue $260 million of bonds at legal rates, with annual audits and strict citizen oversight, in order to improve the aging schools and upgrade classrooms, laboratories, cooling and electrical systems, and more. “Our facilities are in dire need of upgrading. If our students are going to compete in this ever-changing world, we need facilities that will reflect that. We need state of the art facilities that will lead our students into the 21st century,” then-Board president Howard Goldstein said. In essence, Measure Y was to be the major source of funds to complete modernization at the four K-8 schools and the high school. Because only three out of the five board members voted for the measure, it needed a 66.6 percent approval rate to pass. As of Dec. 3, 64.02 percent of residents voted ‘yes,’ meaning Measure Y is set to not pass. However, the result has not yet been certified by the Los Angeles County Clerk. Current construction status: Current construction is funded by money from Measure E, which Beverly Hills residents passed in November 2008. This authorized the district to issue bonds up to $334,000,000, mainly for the purposes of remodeling and construction. According to Superintendent Steve Kessler, construction is taking place at all four K-8
schools and the high school because of the $334 million authorized from Measure E. Horace Mann has already completed the remodeling of its auditorium and Building A, but have yet to complete Building B and all of the sitework for the playground. This will be the only school to completely finish construction and modernization under Measure E. At El Rodeo, Measure E will account for everything except for Building E, which juts out on the playground, as well as the semi-subterranean parking garage that they plan to break ground on soon. At Beverly Vista, as one of the more modern schools after undergoing remodeling as a consequence of the Northridge earthquake, is just completing its minor repairs that will be completed by the end of Christmas. At Hawthorne, the auditorium will be remodeled, while designs and plans for the buildings are halted. As for the high school, construction on B1 (the math patio), B2 (the main hallway) and B3 (the K.L Peters auditorium) will continue. Program manager Rick Panos of Totum construction management, whom the district as hired to help supervise the project, describes how the completed buildings will look. “Essentially, when we are finished with [modernization], you look at the outside and you will see the buildings kind of how you see them now, but when you walk inside, it’s gonna look like a brand-new building. Everything will be brandnew,” Panos said. However, there have been some “hiccups” with the budget allocated from Measure E to finish construction at the high school, mainly
due to unforeseen circumstances. “It has strictly to do with existing conditions. Some of the surprises had to do with a lot of unforeseen conditions in the buildings. Some of it had to do with the cost of construction going up all the time. The role of the facilities team is to gauge the cost as they occur and readjust the program. We have been readjusting the program; that’s really where your priorities are,” Director of Facilities Eitan Aharoni said. Superintendent Steve Kessler believes that these setbacks are only a natural part of any construction process. “With every project, at the end, there are going to be issues. You are expecting perfection from human beings; we’re not machines, so there are going to be issues that come up,” Kessler said. “When they do, that is going to be part of the task of construction management firm to see what’s fair, what’s not fair, and come to an agreement of reconciliation, per se, of where things really stand.” Kessler also cited the age of the buildings and their deteriorating condition to be hindering the modernization process. “In the first phase at the high school, where they are taking out all of the lead paint and the asbestos, that’s when they tear out all the windows, the doors, the ceilings and the walls, you literally get to look into an 85-year-old building. With an 85-year-old-building, there are a number of different things that nobody could have foreseen without them opening everything up,” Kessler said. At the high school in particular, the construction team has faced issues with asbestos, lead paint and beams with cracks, but Kessler said
that similar challenges are being faced by construction teams at the other schools. “The fact of the matter is that we are going through this a lot in our campuses. El Rodeo went through the same thing as Beverly, and I imagine Hawthorne will go through the same thing since it is the oldest school we have,” Kessler said. In spite of this, Aharoni maintains that construction at all five sites is at a good pace. “The Citizen Oversight Committee has been very pleased with the financial reports by the construction management firm, as well as with the progress of the work,” Aharoni said. What happens now: The failure of Measure Y to receive the necessary votes has left many in the community asking: what happens now? The construction currently taking place and planned under the purview of Measure E will continue. It is planned to fully complete by 2020. The board of education must wait 18 months before they can put another bond measure on the ballot, raising revenue either through a property tax or a parcel tax. The construction of Phase 2 will be postponed for at least another 18 months, depending on if a bond is submitted by the board and passed by the residents in 2018. The part of Phase 2 which was supposed to begin prior to 2018 was primarily a design of several modernized structures, which could take the architects several months to a year to complete, and approval by California’s Division of the State Architect (DSA), which could additionally take up a year to be approved.
Much of this design process has begun using Phase 1 funds, and will continue, indicating that the delay will be very minimal. However under Phase 2, construction of Building C at the high school was planned to begin in mid-2017, and will be delayed. The current school board members are confident that another measure will be introduced and passed in 2018. “A better-crafted measure in 2018 will likely be supported by the full school board, requiring just 55 percent voter approval,” then-Board of Education vice president Mel Spitz said. Spitz believes that delaying the passage of a bond measure until 2018 has advantages over passing the current Measure Y, and would be much more preferable and likely to pass. “The advantages of scheduling a better crafted measure in 2018 are many,” Spitz said. “Current construction projects will be completed and out of the way, plans for Hawthorne and Beverly High will be firmed up, critical issues facing the district will be resolved, the voter approval requirement will be 55 percent rather than 67 percent, and community support will be stronger.” Kessler has also stated his optimism in regards to community support for a future bond measure. “I am confident that the people of Beverly Hills will vote for [a bond] in 2018, because up until now, the people of Beverly Hills have never voted against a bond for their schools,” Kessler said. “And I think that in 2018, once people in Beverly Hills see all the modernization that’s going on, they’re not going to want to stop it there, and are going to want to finish the job.”
December 9, 2016
6 culture ‘ ‘ ‘Arrival y
Highlights
transforms movie scene
Evan Minniti staff writer
Wond erfu l!
s! r a st e Fiv
Dennis Villeneuve’s newest film, “Arrival”, is truly a moving experience. Villeneuve succeeds in creating a movie that feels simultaneously epic and small scale. There are no big sci-fi battles, only an exceptionally personal tale of a bizarre event that leads a young woman to make a heartbreaking decision. Similar to recent sci-fi films like “Moon” or even “Interstellar”, Villeneuve chooses to emphasize story over special effects with fantastic results. In the near future, Louise (Amy Adams), is a linguist teaching classes at a local college when she learns that 12 alien spacecrafts have landed at seemingly random places on the Earth. When she is recruited by a military commander (Forest Whitaker) to assist in communicating with the extraterrestrials, she is accompanied by scientist and mathematician Ian (Jeremy Renner). As they grow to learn the language of the “hepta-
pod” aliens, they soon realize that the heptapods are mysteriously influencing their perception of the past, present and the future. “Arrival” was adapted from Ted Chiang’s novella “Story of Your Life”; the plotlines of both are almost like palindromes, words that are spelled the same way backward or forward. As the characters’ perception of time distorts, it becomes increasingly apparent that many scenes in the movie are out of order. So just like the name “Hannah” can be read in either direction, “Arrival” could almost be understood backwards. And that just shows that the real star of the show is Eric Heisserer’s fantastic screenplay, which brings beautiful optimism to such a bizarre story. Villeneuve’s directorial decisions mirror the script. At first, Villeneuve’s directing seems cold and deliberate. Like his earlier works, Villeneuve takes advantage of a gray, desaturated color scheme and films on cold cloudy days to put the audience in a depressed
mood. He combines his skills with past collaborator Johan Johannsson’s score to keep the audience incredibly uncomfortable and anxious, but also mesmerized. The first time Louise travels to the spacecraft is almost as nerve wracking as the border sequence at the beginning of “Sicario.” “Arrival” is just as thought-provoking and depressing as Villeneuve’s earlier films, but whereas “Prisoners” and “Sicario” ultimately have nihilistic leanings, “Arrival” is surprisingly humanistic. In a reversed way, Louise’s choice at the end of the film is likely to be just as polarizing as Hugh Jackman’s brutality in “Prisoners”. Villeneuve uses the best of the talents around him to create a truly wonderful movie. Intelligent writing, deliberate directing, sympathetic performances and a wonderful score make “Arrival”’s 116 minutes soar by. This thoughtprovoking film gets five out of five stars.
y
lot! p t Grea
Pure talen t!
Pictures courtesy of: RG1024 - OCAL
Religious clubs enlighten student body Natasha Dardashti multimedia editor
If you’re interested in charity, there’s a club for it. If you’re interested in video games, there’s a club for it. If you’re interested in politics, there’s a club for it. However, there’s one type of club based on an idea that’s been around for millennium, and students still show interest in it today. Though many religion based clubs may be seen as shrouded in mystery, the intention of most religious clubs is simply education. Another objective for these clubs is creation of a safe space for conversation. “[Our goal as a club is] to have a safe environment where students can express their views about Israel and religion without having someone arguing with them,” Normans for Israel president Chloe Levian said. “Also, [it is] to educate the future advocates of Israel and to prepare them for inevitable anti-Zionism.” Christian Club has similar objectives to Normans for Israel. In regard to its creation of a “safe space,” they both hold the same
goal. In this club, members are given a topic to discuss monthly in an open-sharing style. “Club is probably the only way that I find out that there are [fellow] Christians at this school, because people don’t just run around and tell you their religion, right?” Christian Club president Tianai Xiong said. “Running Christian Club is like running a little safe house where we could talk about life and struggles, except that we are 99 percent Christian.” Another popular religion-based club is Jewish Student Union (JSU). Known for their catchphrase “Moft Pizza,” JSU has attracted students to learn about Judaism in a classroom setting since 2002. “[JSU] is important for the students who want to learn about Jewish history and who want to ask questions regarding Judaism,” JSU president Brian Tizabgar said. Some clubs genuinely use religion as a unifying aspect. However, some clubs on campus, such as Jewish Family Services (JFS), have stated that they pose no con-
nection to religion at all despite their name. “As a club, we volunteer at food banks and participate in other fun volunteering events to help all low-income or underprivileged people from all religions, races or cultures,” JFS president Lauren Hannani said. “I want this club to be all about helping those in need around the community instead of centering around one religion, and I hope students can realize JFS is not about religion; it’s about spreading compassion.” Many students will participate in religious clubs in order to maintain practice of their faith outside of the church or synagogue. “I joined [in] junior year because school got very busy and I couldn’t spare my Sunday to go to church anymore,” Xiong said. “So this was a way for me to practice religion.” In incorporating religion into school life, Levian feels as if she is bringing positive parts of herself into her education. “Religion is something that drives me to be the best version of myself. It is something I have
always been passionate about,” Levian said. “I’m still involved with my religious school not because I have to, but because I want to.” Some may see religion as something of older generations, but club leaders find that religious clubs revitalize and modernize the idea of religion. By bringing ancient religious traditions into the contemporary classroom, these clubs are able to incorporate religion into everyday life. “We make sure to keep everything relevant. We only focus on topics that our members want to learn more about,” Levian said. “In regards to politics, we learned about each [presidential] candidate’s views on Israel and which candidate was best for Israel.” Ultimately, religious clubs are not the sole representation of a student’s devotion to faith. They are simply manifestations of religious motivation extended into school. “For me, [religion] is putting faith into something I know that’s bigger than me,” Xiong said. “It humbles me.”
opinion 7
December 9, 2016
Highlights
Need for Superintendent contract reform Keith Stone co-editor-in-chief There is no denying that Beverly Hills High School has steadily fallen in the ranks of high schools nationwide. Beverly now sits at 144th on the U.S. News list of California high schools and 900th on the list of nationwide high schools. Also according to U.S. News, our college readiness score is a measly 45.2 out of 100 and we have an AP participation rate of 51 percent. This steady decline can be attributed to a combination of an indecisive and inexperienced School Board, and a string of superintendents whose very contracts leave them under complete control of the Board. Superintendents should run the school district. They should make the daily decisions necessary to protect students and keep education going. Simply, they should have the final say on school issues. However, our superintendents have not had this chance. The previous superintendent, Gary Woods had a contract which stated the School Board could fire him a year after notifying him. This means that if the School Board wanted to get rid of a superintendent, all the Board would have to do is pay the next year’s salary in advance and that would be it. The taxpayers would be annoyed but would not be overly angered at the loss of one year’s salary. With this system, the superintendent must follow the orders of the Board to the letter or else
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JON CHERNEY
Editorial Can you believe that it’s already the end of first semester--let alone the end of 2016? The staff of Highlights sure can’t! Regardless of the quickness of time and the possibility of not having enough assignments to raise that borderline grade, one supposedly unanimous opinion among the student body revolves around the elation for winter break. After those seemingly incessant all-nighters and melodramatic group study sessions, every dedicated and hardworking student deserves a break. Therefore, it’s not only fair for students to have an enjoyable break, but also for them to have a festive, homeworkfree holiday--and we’ll tell you why. When it comes to a high schooler’s mental health, the statistics are not in our favor. According to the Frontiers in Psychology journal, “49 percent of students reported feeling ‘a great deal of stress’ on a daily basis. Half reported doing three or more hours of homework per night, and 26 percent noted that they had been diagnosed with depression--over four times the national average of 6 percent.” With these convincing facts, we urge the Norman Nation to take a holiday breather. Too much stress in the short term may cause anxiety, but has the possible long term effects of immune system degradation, heart problems, respiratory condition, gastrointestinal issues and chronic anxiety/depression. Winter break that students have been longing for is a time for relaxation and joy, not visits to tutors, therapists or doctors. This being said, the editorial board also asks teachers to not assign mandatory, academic homework over the upcoming holidays. As the competition for college admission grows to an all time high, the necessity of providing an impressive transcript and portfolio grows alongside the studentstudent acceptance rivalries. We are more
he/she risks losing his/her job. If our school is to climb in the national rankings, the superintendents must be given leeway to do what they are supposed to do, govern the schools and regulate education. This will happen by guaranteeing that whoever agrees to serve as superintendent has at least a three-year no-cut clause in their contract. The School Board may be able to justify one year of lost salary, but three years will be too much for the taxpayers to agree to. This willingness for a three-year no-cut contract will also finally bring managerial talent to our school district. Serious applicants for superintendent will no longer turn away at the lack of job security and will instead embrace the challenges that they will have three years to attempt to solve. These qualified candidates will steadily begin to trickle in. While some might believe that a threeyear no-cut contract will allow a corrupt superintendent to remain in office no matter what, the contract should and most likely will, include a morality clause. This will allow a law-breaking superintendent to be fired. The upward trajectory simply begins with the School Board putting petty politics and power struggles aside and granting the superintendent the powers to do what needs to be done.
than aware that teachers may as well be the driving, external force behind a student’s academic success. There is also no doubt that pertinent homework is beneficial to the development of students’ independent learning skills, time management and overall understanding of the underlying subject. But how much is too much? Well, too much begins right around the implementation of holiday homework. For those students who decide to travel during the holidays, homework may not only hinder their trip, but may also intervene with some much needed family time. If anything, please consider making any assigned holiday homework simply extra credit. Winter break may well be the most valuable vacation in terms of familial celebration and spirited festivities. The nation garners a widespread feeling of bliss as the stressfree week opens its arms to the numerous holiday feasts many are buying loose pants for. So why not enjoy it? School isn’t going anywhere. It is understandable to worry about a student forgetting material, but that’s the students’ problem and responsibility. If they feel like they need extra practice, let the anxiety and sixth life crises force them to prepare. We ask teachers to consider letting kids be kids and to not have a graded assignment weigh down their holiday spirit--we’re sure the students will more than appreciate it. Bottom line, put down that eighth cup of coffee (that your body is probably already immune to) and pick up a steamy mug of marshmallow-filled hot chocolate. Close that history textbook and open up a website tab to catch up on that missed season on Netflix or “vlogmas” postings on YouTube. Every single student deserves a break. Happy holidays, Norman Nation!
July 11, 1967 – November 26, 1995 1985 Beverly Graduate and Broadcast Production Coordinator for the BHHS Media Center We miss your spirit, energy and enthusiasm— your love of life, and your great passion for making a positive difference. You’re in our hearts today, and forever…
The Jon Cherney Humanitarian Award, a $2,500.00 annual college scholarship award, created by the Cherney Family and the Associated Student Body, will be presented this year at Senior Awards Night. Details to follow on applying for this scholarship award.
October 9, 2016
8 sports
Highlights
Freshmen numbers rise on girls water polo team unlike before
Seniors Rubini Korasidis and Daniela Cohen help the junior varsity team during warmup before the match against Marymount on Dec. 6. Photo courtesy of: HANNAH KNECHT Jamie Kim news editor Despite initial concerns that there would not be enough girls to continue the girls water polo program in the future, this season’s team seems to be stronger than ever with surging players. This year, an unprecedented number of freshmen, approximately 15, have joined the girls water polo team, dispelling worries that there might not be enough girls to continue the program for future years. “Before it was time for tryouts, I was very concerned that there
wouldn’t be a future for the program. Many rising seniors were quitting, and very few of last year’s freshmen were staying, not to mention that there was only one junior on the team,” senior co-captain Hannah Knecht said. “I’m happy that there is a lot of enthusiasm about water polo this year, and I hope it continues through the next few years. I’m glad that there are enough girls right now to ensure the future of a good program.” Contrastly, the sole junior on the team, Molly Rabin, was not worried because of the pre-existing commitment to the team from a
majority of the girls. “I wasn’t that concerned [about the program] because I knew we had a good group of girls who were committed to the team, and we had a lot of seniors,” Rabin said. Freshman Malea Hayles joined the water polo team, treading water cautiously. “My first season has been great; we’re already improving a lot and winning games. What I like about water polo is that it’s really fun, a great team sport and competitive,” Hayles said. Freshman Rebecca Harouni, who occasionally plays for the var-
sity team, also believes that her first season on the team has been enjoyable. “It’s been really good. I really love the sport and have been playing it for a while. The varsity girls have been really good about welcoming everyone to the team,” Harouni, who has been playing for three years, said. Nevertheless, senior co-captain Rubini Korasidis is also relieved and eager about the team’s prospects with the freshmen. In addi-
tion to helping improve their skills, she is excited to create new memories. “I was so excited to see that a lot of freshman joined this year, and my advice to them is to continue doing water polo for the rest of high school, and to join a club over the summer,” Korasidis said. “The freshmen this year have a lot of potential. I think they definitely need some work, but they are all passionate and eager to learn more about water polo.”
Senior athletes say goodbye to their sports teams (cont.) Isaiah Freedman sports editor
Senior Maytal Sarafian serves a ball during a game against Hawthorne. Photo by: RINESA KABASHI
It’s like a piece of your soul is being ripped apart, a staple of how you portioned your time for so many years. Many seniors who play a sport will have to grapple with this new reality. According to Ncaa.org, around eight million students play high school sports, but only 480,000 of those go on to play a college sport. The odds are against even the captains on most sports teams, and athletes know it, but that still does not take away the pain of saying goodbye. In former legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant’s retirement letter that he scribed last year, even though he had a wildly successful career, he was forced to give up basketball for the same reason that is at the core of every “not-good-enough” high school athlete: it was time to let go. In a snippet from his heartfelt goodbye in which he metaphorically spoke to a basketball, Kobe wrote: I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now so we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other
all that we have. For senior and girls volleyball, soccer and softball captain Maytal Sarafian, waving goodbye to all of her sports is bittersweet. But just because she will cease playing a sport does not mean that the lessons learned will wash away. “Over these past four years, I have learned so much more than just how to play another sport. I have learned what it means to be a good leader, how to be a good teammate, how to stay calm under pressure, and honestly how to just have fun and cherish the time I had in all my sports programs,” Sarafian said. The pain and gratefulness also resonates with senior Alecs Medina, who played on the varsity football team. “I may not continue this journey to a more adept level, but the experiences I had and the people I met not only improved my personality, but also the new approach I have in situations I would normally find difficult,” Medina said. While playing competitively during freeflowing high school years cannot be replicated again for so many seniors across the globe, the memories, lessons and aspirtations learned and achieved will resonate forever.