The Seniors at Skyline High School are leaving in a few months, and a lot of them have passions, like sports. Whether they go to college or somewhere else, many of them will take their passions with them. One example is Avery Jensen, a Senior on the academy tennis team at Skyline.
For the Seniors, if they are on a sports team, it will be their last season at Skyline. Jensen said, “It made me really want to enjoy every match. I really wanted to go to every practice, every match, because I knew that it was gonna be done.” She wanted to treasure all the time she had left to be on the team.
Like Jensen, many Seniors have a feeling of nostalgia, especially if they are in clubs or sports teams, and many teachers and coaches will miss them as well. Mikkel Williams, the academy tennis team coach for Skyline, said, “I love having Avery on the team. She’s been on the team for three years now, and she’s added so much, and she’s a uniter, bringing people together. She’s super enthusiastic about this sport, and she brings a level of fun to the sport, and that’s contagious, and she’s just a great team player.” Williams’ words show how much of an impact not only Avery but many of the Seniors have made at Skyline.
Jensen has been on the Skyline Academy Tennis team for three years. Comparing the first and last practices and matches, she said, “I was terrified the first time, and I did not have a good technique, and I’m still learning. But then the last time, it was so sad, ’cause I knew that I was gonna miss my friends. And I learned so much, and I just loved it.” Her experience and change in perspective from the first couple practices and matches to her last shows a lot of the Seniors’ experiences. When they first arrive and try something new, it can seem scary at first. Then at the end, it can be sad to leave.
Williams said she was sad about all the Seniors leaving, and she said, “What I would hope that they would take away from being on the team is more self confidence.” She said she hoped they had seen how nice it is for the tennis team to unite and work together.
One thing Jensen would tell the incoming Freshman would be: “Everybody’s so nice, and you learn so much. Just really enjoy what you can.”
