Koleka (Sequeira) Gosney | 2004

What do you teach at South?| Honors Algebra II & Honors Geometry

Favorite Saxon Memories as a Student| Playing on championship and undefeated volleyball and softball teams (played 3 years on Varsity in both sports) and going to New York City with Symphonic Choir. I also loved the student section when we played football games and basketball games. Being that close to all the action was so special. Our student body was very loud and we always had so much fun. West Salem High School was a brand new school when I was a sophomore and I remember all the rivalries were pretty intense. Witnessing our basketball team winning the State Championship game my senior year in 2004 was also something very memorable. Other fond memories include dress up days and senior class pranks. I think I recall a slip in slide happening outside the hallway one year....It was also fun watching my younger brother play football and my Dad coaching him as well.

Favorite Classes when a Student at South | I had 4 favorite classes/teachers. Symphonic Choir with Mrs. Stenson was a favorite because a lot of my friends were in this class and we got to travel to New York City/Canada. I also enjoyed taking Physics with Mr. Hanus. I had friends who designed a life size catapult in that class and I enjoyed the balsa wood bridge project. He also had all of his students write letters to themselves and then he mailed it after 5 years. It was very fun to receive that letter after graduating from Linfield College and seeing where I ended up. Another favorite class was my Spanish class with Senora Lobo. I loved learning Spanish and grammar by singing to pop songs. Last but not least, my favorite math teacher was Mr. Day. He always told the best "dad" jokes in class.

Favorite Saxon Memories as a Staff Member| My Dad was a math teacher at South when I was in high school. So the opportunity to teach math and work in the same building/math department as him for one year was so much fun and truly something I will never forget. Some of my fondest memories over the past 7 years at South have been getting to know students in my AVID class when I taught it, helping coach softball with McCormick (same coach I had when I went to South), becoming the advisor for Key Club and participating in community service events with students, sharing my Hawaiian culture and dancing the hula during an assembly, and creating great friendships with some of my colleagues.

What were you involved in at South? | Varsity Softball (center fielder), Varsity Volleyball (libero or defensive specialist), Symphonic Choir, Jazz Choir, Key Club (President my senior year), National Honors Society, Spanish Club

Besides working your dream job, what else are you up to in life? | I just had baby #2 in October. Currently, I have a 4 year old son named Brooks (named after Brooks Robinson) and a 6 month old son named Henry (named after Hank Aaron) that keep me very busy outside of teaching school. Some of my hobbies include gardening, creating custom wood signs and Hawaiian t-shirts for my sons, and spending time outdoors with my family.

What's Your Favorite Quote? | "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up" -Vince Lombardi

What advice would you give your high school self? | Don't let perfection get in the way of trying new things.