SENIOR NIGHTS TO REMEMBER

By Rosa Chavez and Alexandra Ruales/Sports Editors

As the fall sports' season ends, senior nights emerge.

Some Kennedy athletes have begun to close their fall season and are enjoying senior nights in which the freshman, sophomores, juniors, and coaches make decorations and presents for this special event.

The first senior night to take place was soccer. The Eagles played at Municipal Stadium against Oxford. The seniors’ families and friends came to support them and watch them play one of their last high school soccer games.

“As a senior I was able to see myself and my team members improve and mature. It was interesting watching the freshmen become juniors,” said captain of the soccer team, senior Lucas Balikian.

The senior athletes have experienced many things throughout their high school athletic careers and made many friendships along the way. The feeling of being part of a team will be missed, as one swimmer expressed.

“The captains (Jessinya Severino and Joleen Once) have always been supportive. The underclassmen are just great; I will miss being part of the swimming team,” said senior Sanjae Walters of the swim team.

Another senior, from volleyball, expressed how the "little moments" mattered most.

“Irene Once (a junior) was subbed in to play against Wilby, and she was going after every ball like her life depended on it. She was going full ball hog mode; it was very adorable seeing her excited after getting a ball up. I am going to miss the little moments the most,” said captain of the volleyball team Alejandra Ruales, a senior.

The seniors who thus far had this event sensed a huge feeling of nostalgia over their senior nights. Truly it was a special time they would not forget, as one soccer player noted.

“The senior night was fantastic. It was probably one of the best games for all the seniors this year even though we lost that day. I have never heard my teammates cheer so loud for us before,” said senior Guadalupe Pineda of the soccer team.

A swimmer mentioned all the details she enjoyed, thanks to her teammates.

“There were tons of nice posters, gifts and sentimental speeches given to us by underclassmen. The meet was very fun, our teammates were extremely supportive when we swam,” said senior Yanitza Perez of the swim team.

While the seniors are finishing their last season, they remember how it felt to start their four years with the same group they came into high school with, and are now leaving with for graduation.

“Being a part of the volleyball team for four years has been a big experience. Playing with the same girls all four years and building that connection has been amazing. We've learned a lot from each other,” said captain of the volleyball team Julia Rusi, a senior.

“Every year our seniors have been the leaders of our team. They have been the first to come to the field and the last to leave, being such a great example for the younger players,” said head coach and Italian teacher Mr. Likorama of the soccer team.

The seniors are leaving their mark as they advance to the next level of their lives.

“I've seen these seniors grow from who they used to be to who they are now and it's a great change,” said senior captain Once of the swim team. “It's something that motivates me to grow and change myself not only in swimming, but life in general too.”

Above all, these seniors are leaving some great teammates behind; they cherish the memories and moments they gained through the sport.