On Friday, April 24 the seniors from soccer, track and lacrosse were celebrated. For most seniors, their sport is more than just something they do after school. It is a commitment that takes up much of their time and has been a part of their lives for multiple years. Seasons of hard work and dedication are recognized on senior nights, which usually take place during the last home game, meet or match of the season.
“Being recognized meant a lot to me because I have spent countless hours and have gone to so many practices for my sport,” senior Savvy Palmer said. “Seeing all the seniors go before me and now finally being in that position feels good because I can see the growth and see how far I have come.”
Sports also provide teaching moments and valuable life lessons that can help later in their careers or life.
“It has taught so much about hard work and setting my mind to something difficult,” Palmer said.
Knowing it was his final home game, senior Felipe Selle claimed he felt “sad but grateful to experience all of the fun times and great moments with his teammates and coaches.”
Seniors have been through multiple seasons of their sport, and reliving their best moments often brings a sense of happiness. Selle shared his best moment playing for the soccer team.
“Honestly, just being able to go out and create friendships and play some ball with the guys,” Selle said. “If I could pick to relive one moment, it would be being able to beat Armuchee my sophomore year in overtime or winning in PK’s (penalty kicks) against Coosa this year.”
While losing builds character and comradery, winning major events creates memories athletes will never forget.
“My best memory is winning the state championship because we felt so united as a team,” Senior and tennis player John Courtnay said. “We beat Mt. Vernon in the championship, so it was a really special moment for all of us.”
Certain seniors have also had many coaches over the years, many of whom have had a great impact on not only the seniors’ athletic careers but also their lives.
“Coach Hunt has always been there for me whenever I was hurt or struggling with something,” senior Presley Dixon said. “He never stopped pushing me, no matter what was going on, and he is someone who has had a big impact on me.”
The seniors who were recognized are listed below.
Baseball: Mac Cannon, Henry Ledbetter, Braxton Stegall
Golf: Claire Bojo, Grayson Clark, Kaigan Lynn, Wyatt Nance, Nevaeh Oglesby, Ella Sirkis, Jasper Stepp
Lacrosse: Jake Absher, Brent Bell, Heidi Holder, Brysen Jones, Sydney Madden, Kaya Nadu, Alexis Origbe, Crawford Pettit, Wyatt Woods
Soccer: Mae Adoptie, Ruthie Brinson, Grayson Clark, Gracie Cowan, Ade Desalu, Zain Elkhatib, Lukas Hempel, Zach Kimani, Sammy Lewis, Kaigan Lynn, Aryana Patel, Felipe Selle, Carter Sligh, Daniel Spurny, Adrienne Woods
Tennis: Annie Beauchamp, Olivia Chen, John Courtnay, Gabrielle Culberson, Murray Ellington, Gigi Frognet, Lukas Hempel, Caroline Knight, Olivia Lunsford, Anjola Morgan, Sophie Piller, Felipe Selle, Sophie Strickland
Track/Field: Kalli Cleland, Presley Dixon, Lee Donahue, Jayce Donaldson, Harrison Inman, Zach Kimani, Savannah Palmer, Hayes Parsa, Myles Twyman, Kensie Waller, Mac Walker
Esports: Ash Damen, Larry Liang