Senior Athletes: One Last Goodbye

As graduation approaches, Sports Awards Night has been the last goodbye for all senior athletes since they will be leaving behind their teams and many years of great memories.

The event recognized individuals but also the seniors with a video to recap many memories of what the school’s sports were for them. Moments like binationals during middle school and high school, Copa Columbus, and outside tournaments were featured in the video. After the event there were different feelings about the end of this long-lasting chapter.

“I think the gesture that the students did when making a goodbye video for the seniors, to thank us and to wish us the best in the future, is very nice,” says Pablo Florez, senior and this year’s basketball captain. “It was a very nice feeling because this year I was able to win binationals and for the school to recognize it is very gratifying.”

A few days away from graduation on Friday June 8th, the seniors are now realizing what is coming up. Just like every big change, this is one that is not particularly easy and will be tough. For most of the senior athletes, sports in school have been a big part of their lives. Some of them will move on and play in their respective university teams like Florez and Maria Antonia Escobar, senior and soccer captain this year; others will just remain with the memories from school.

“I feel scared, school is a safe place for everyone and now going to college, living with new people, and not knowing the place scares me a lot,” reflects Escobar about what graduating feels like.

For each team there are also going to be great losses, many of the talents that each senior have will be irreplaceable. Every team must move on and work with the talent of the people that remain and those who move up from middle school.

“I don’t think many things will change, the team never depends on one player, I have great expectations for them,” says Florez. “I hope they continue with the same attitude and energy that I had to always be positive, in harmony, and for the team to be united.”

Teammates also have their opinion about the seniors’ graduation. Many of the seniors have had a great impact on their teams on the field or court, practice, games, and a lot of the people that stay have recognized how important that has been.

“They [the seniors] were very important players not only on the court but also on the outside; they are very cheerful people and managed to unite us as a team,” comments Sebastian Solorzano, 9th grade basketball player. “Even though they leave and it’s a big loss there are still many talented people who can take the team forward.”