Students and teachers recall favorite memories of school year

By Nina & Waley Lin

Kelsi DeWaard, 6A: My favorite memory is meeting everybody and making friends and laughing in class.

Gloria Grama, 6B: One of my favorite memories at TPA includes the day a girl in my class started a book club. Because of it, we found out that we had a lot of things in common, therefore we became best friends and I will still remember her when I’m 80 and training whales how to dance. Another memory I had at TPA took place during a social studies class. The kid next to me started adding the word “chicken” into every sentence he said. Ever since that day, he’s obsessed with the word and has now created a religion, “Waleyism,” worship of chickens.

Waley Lin, 6B: This year was my favorite memory of all time. It was fun with all my new friends and teachers. I had so much fun with this school, and interviewing people. 6B is the best class in my opinion. I had so much fun making jokes and then making a fantasy religion “Waleyism,” the worship of chickens. And now, a shout-out to the people in my class who might leave: You guys are the best friends I can ever wished for. I also loved when my team, the watermelons, won athletic field. And then another memory is spending time with my track team. Thank you Mr. Wilkison for teaching us, and I made so many memories with my track members.

Finn Ramos, 6C: So far my favorite memory this year is Academic Field Day. I had so much fun.

Caroline Waddell, 6C: My favorite memory this year is Athletic Field Day. Also meeting my best friends, and making new friends.

Emily Gregg, 8A: My favorite memory of this year is when I was interviewed for the newspaper for this exact question. I feel so famous!

Olivia Lewis, 8A: When the teachers did the ice bucket challenge. It was so funny!

Steven Veentra, 8C: I enjoyed the awesome cross-country season that we had in junior high!

Sofia Hidalgo, 8B: My favorite experience is running cross country this year because it was my final year in the sport for junior high. I have run it all three years and it was cool to run with old friends and meet new friends.

Mitchell Rines, 8C: When Steven Veentra made the worst crane imaginable, and then when Mr. Granville held it up and said, ”I don’t even know what this is.”

Gyllian Gaylor, 9C: My favorite memory from this year was performing in the musical “Carousel,” and adopting Nina as my child.

Joe Swingle, 10B; Jose Valenzuela, 10A; Matthew Burgin, 10A: We were studying diligently in German, as usual. And suddenly the whole class broke into song. We, of course, tried to keep it under control, but the rampant, incessant chaos could not be contained, despite our best efforts. Herr Gray, using his melodic finesse, managed, by the grace of Odin, to somehow morph these chaotic revelers into productive and studious beings. Herr Gray quickly rewarded our efforts to maintain control by granting us each one sugar plum and a cube of sugar.

Avery Strachan, 10B: My favorite memory this year was my last day of school. Although it hasn’t arrived yet, I yearn for the day and can already taste the glory.

Christie Van Dusen, 11A: One of my favorite memories of this school year was playing at state for volleyball. Another good memory was when school was canceled on account of rain. I also really liked Spirit Week this year because of the “free” week.

Jacob Brown, 11A: When Connor Woltz proposed to me this winter! I’m so excited for the marriage! Won’t get cold feet! The wedding is on the railroad.

Isaiah Brittain, 11A: Getting to know and love Mr. Sanderson, and when I napped with the hobos on the railroad with my boys.

Gabriel LeBeau, 11A: When I lived with Nick on the railroad tracks with the homeless. We later got engaged.

Connor Woltz, 11C: When I proposed to the love of my life! The wedding is this summer at the tracks with my boys!

Ariana Cardoso, 11A: My favorite memory is getting my marriage license to officiate Jacob’s, Connor’s, Nick’s, and Gabe’s double wedding this summer at the railroad tracks. I am really looking forward to the ceremony.

Abbie Alford, 11B: My favorite memory is when I scored a goal in the last game of the season.

Erin Guiney, 11B: The best memory I have was jamming out Tequila in the girls’ dressing room during Carousel. Also that one day it rained so much the school flooded and school was cancelled.

Nick Bellavia 11B: When I ran away from home and lived with the homeless people on the railroad.

Butler DisneylandMaddy Butler, 11C: When there was no school and when we went to Disneyland.

Enrique Favaro, 11C: My favorite memory as not going to school on that rainy day where the streets, roads, and school were flooded.

Quinn Collins, 11B: My favorite memory was becoming the president of National Honor Society.

Max Steadman, 12A: My favorite memory was Mr. Sanderson’s speech at the end of the year telling us how much he appreciated our class.

MLK StatueDenzel Abdulai, 12C: When me and the seniors went to D.C., it was an awesome time. I spent a lot of time growing closer with my friends and I found that some people are actually really cool. I was inspired by all the monuments, especially the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument.

Zach Brittain, 12A: Beating Northwest Christian, 19-18. At the end of the first half I had a blocked field goal and returned it for a touchdown – 76 yards.

Teachers

Dr. Baum: My favorite memory is the championship game for football with Yuma. And then my second favorite memory is when Waley Lin wore the M&M box on his head as a hat.

Mr. Atkinson: My favorite memory is coaching football in a state championship game.

Señor Cardoso: My favorite memory is Dr. Baum proposing the new academic changes, which include lesson plan, new classes, curriculum map, etc.

Dr. Wolfe: My favorite memory is when the Cantamus performed “Brahms.”

Mr. Sanderson: Seeing “Carousel” coming together after almost three months of hard work when I finally knew that we had a show, and the pride and relief that came with that.

Ms. White: We were looking at the American Realism Art movement and one of the paintings was of school children playing snap-the-whip (old schoolyard game). One day we went out and played it with 9A and 9C on the fields.

Arm WrestlingDr. Kelly: Arm wrestling with Bueno after school and humbling him.

Bueno’s comment: I want a rematch.

Dr. Evans: Finishing the 23rd and last senior thesis defense.

Mr. Carlin: Having my humane letter class obsessed with my favorite moment. The class impressed me and the observers.