KEEPING IT FRESH

KEEPING ITfresh

FRESHMEN TAKE INITIATIVE IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

By Minh Anh Le, Maren Holecek, Zach Mirviss, Clayton Mustoe, and Zoey Perrine

FRESHMAN SINGS IN TOP CHOIR

Of the many voices in Monarch’s choirs, that of Cooper Craze ‘26 holds great ambition.

After submitting his audition to Madrigals, the top choir at Monarch, Craze got a callback. He knew that he might not make it in, but he still tried his best and got accepted as one of the only two freshmen in Madrigals.

“I think it’s scary at first, but once I actually did it and I got in, my family congratulated me,” he said. “Now I feel really proud of myself.”

When Craze pursued his interest in Monarch’s top choir, he was nervous.

“It was nerve-wracking,” he said. “When I walked in for auditions, there were only three other freshmen.”

The first time Craze tried out for a choir was a year earlier, in eighth grade.

“I think the first day that I walked in there, I was really, really nervous,” he said. “But they accepted all the new kids in and you were welcome there.”

The ambition Craze found in the choir followed him through to high school, where he hoped for a future career in music.

“A singer-songwriter has become more of an option for me as a career,” he said. “Now that I’m focused on learning music and singing, I’m thinking of possibly being a musician when I grow up.”

For Craze, working hard to achieve his interests can be a challenge, so when he feels he needs to calm down, he uses his music to relax.

“Whenever I feel stressed or mad, I just go to my room and play guitar or piano or listen to music,” he said.

When Craze feels overwhelmed, his musical inspiration emerges.

“Music can share so much emotion,” he said. “It gets a message out and it’s just more powerful than talking.”

Craze also has an interest in writing songs, since it always begins with the words.

“Once you start the lyrics and understand where you want to go with them, it’s a lot easier to finish a song,” Craze said. “If you don’t know where you’re going to go with the song, then you’re not going to get anywhere.”

Cooper Craze ‘26 plays his guitar in a practice room before school. He joined Monarch’s top choir, Madrigals, this year.

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TAKES ON YOUNG NEW PLAYER

The doors click open and suddenly the voices of a packed gymnasium echo off the walls. Eva Becht ‘26 takes her first steps onto Monarch’s volleyball court. The excitement and nerves for tryouts thicken the air.

With Monarch’s five volleyball teams, varsity spots are extremely competitive. This year, Becht is the only freshman to make the team.

“At tryouts, I just had fun playing and having everyone see me and get to know who I am,” Becht said.

Despite the pressure, Becht had experience, she had been pursuing volleyball for nearly half her life.

“I just wanted to play volleyball in high school and get more competitive with it,” she said.

Becht’s motivation for volleyball was introduced by her mom, who introduced her to volleyball as a young child. Now, Becht puts volleyball above everything else.

Eight years of playing has only grown Becht’s desire to continue being competitive. For years, she had her mind set on making varsity.

“I just fell in love with it,” Becht said. “Anything and everything to do with volleyball, I just loved it.”

Becht has always played with older girls, so being on a team with only juniors and seniors isn’t all that new for her.

“They do a really good job of keeping me involved and including me,” Becht said.

Not only have Bechts teammates taken her in, but her coaches make sure to give her plenty of opportunities.

“I love my coaches, they’re really awesome and they do a really good job of treating me the same as the rest of the team,” she said.

The team dynamic and the spirit of competition drives Becht to pursue volleyball for the rest of high school.

“I plan on playing volleyball for all of high school,” she said.

Coming into tryouts Becht was an outsider entering a community. However, she was able to take initiative and reach for her goals.

“A freshman can make varsity, and you can do whatever you set your mind to,” she said.

Eva Becht ‘26 serves a volleyball during her game. She tried out for the team in August and made varsity.