University Preparatory's Lady Jags Volleyball Celebrate a Big Win On Their Senior Night

10/05/23, Images and Article by Allison Bolanos

University Preparatory celebrated their senior night on October 5, 2023  in a game between Riverside Preparatory, one of University Preparatory's rivalry schools. U.P.  won all 3 rounds back-to-back, with the first match being 25 to 16, the second being 7 to 25, and the third being 14 to 25.

 The intensity of the game was felt throughout the crowd as parents cheered for their kids and the students cheered for their friends and school team. At times where the score was close, the students that were there in support would cheer their team on and encourage them to make the points.  After the big win, the senior night celebration began. 

As the announcer announced each senior, they would walk out with hand made posters accompanied by their friends and family. At this moment, the scoreboard had the numbers of each senior player that was on the volleyball team. This was a very personal touch that made the night all that more emotional. 

People cheered them on one by one as the seniors walked out with their loved ones. There was lots of supporters in the crowd for each one of the senior lady jags, a bittersweet moment as the volleyball season came to an end. 

The Latin American population in the U.S. has increased dramatically in recent years. According to Pew Research, "In 2022, Hispanics made up nearly one in five people in the U.S. (19%), up from 16% in 2010 and just 5% in 1970." In 2014, Hispanics accounted for an astonishing 39% of California's population, successfully outnumbering whites for the first time with around 14.99 Hispanics to 14.92 whites. 

"It is important for students to see people who look like them, accomplishing great things," says Mrs. Faison. "Representation matters.  If students don't  see it, it's more difficult to imagine that they can do it." 

When asked "How do you hope University Prep will continue to celebrate Hispanic cultures and identities in the future?", Mrs. Faison answered with, "I hope that students will be curious about more people not only in Hispanic culture but in all people in marginalized communities. Hopefully it sparks students' interest in different communities and perhaps what they can do to make positive changes in these communities in the future."

Ms. Zeno's plans mostly consist of doing art projects based on the Day of the Dead holiday. But, due to her being part of a new program at the school, there were many obstacles she had to get through.

"One obstacle we had was getting in all the supplies. Basically we had to order everything for the entire year, and being that we started with nothing when school started, it made it really difficult."

She goes on to state how she had to improvise with the materials that her art classes used due to not having enough materials to provide all of her students with supplies.

  Money was also an obstacle she mentions in her interview, "I had already asked them for a certain amount of money and I was asking for more stuff. They were kind of hesitant because its more money. So money and supplies, that was the only challenge." 

At the end of the day, when asked 'What her first impression of the school was?', she happily says, "Academics is very important here, not just to administration and the teachers, but also to the students, which I can appreciate. I'm definitely glad to provide that creative element that can give a sense of balance to the academic rigor that's here. But it's nice that we have students that are wanting to be successful, that will do what it takes to be successful, and that are respectful, kind to teachers, kind to each other."

Zeno also goes on to say, " I'm very happy to be here and experience that. Because I was at Hesperia Unified for 17 years before I came here, and it was very different . But I'm very much enjoying the culture here and being that it is my first year, everything is new and I'm relying on my students to guide me, as far as what to expect and what happens here."

With that heart warming introduction, let us all welcome Ms. Zeno to University Prep and hope that she enjoys her stay at the school.