Student Shoutout

This year we want to honor and recognize our Wildcats! The past two years have been tough for everyone, but for students especially. Yet through the craziness of these two years, you have all managed to stay productive and show your leadership through your activities and actions. Because of this, we wanted to feature students who we believe have exemplified what leadership and taking action really means. Every month, there will be a student chosen from each grade level to be “shouted out” for their amazing participation and accomplishments in the activities that they care about. This month we have four amazing students – plus Bubba – who have all accomplished great things through their hard work and motivation!

This month our freshmen student shoutout goes to Samantha Mandeville! Samantha has been participating in swim and dive for about a year and a half, and this year she qualified for state! Samantha used to be a competitive gymnast but decided to switch to swim and dive when it became too rough on her body. She says that her switch to becoming a diver was difficult, but it was worth it. Not everyone can be a diver! It causes a lot of physical and mental strain, but Samantha fought past that. She sets goals for herself and sets her mind to working towards them. Her family and friends are what keeps her motivated!

Here are 5 fun facts about Samantha!

Her favorite color is pink.
She likes the show Friends.
She wants to become a surgeon.
She loves lemonade.
Her favorite thing to do is go camping.

This month our sophomore student shoutout goes to Ethan Robinson! Ethan is extremely involved in school extracurricular activities and is full of passion, spreading his time between wrestling, tennis, and chess. Ethan has been wrestling since middle school and just started playing tennis this year thanks to Madame Kenny! He has been playing chess since he was about eight years old, and has been dedicated to Chess Club for the past two years. Ethan says that wrestling keeps him level-headed and helps him realize how much room he has for growth. Tennis helps him condition for wrestling and is something fun to participate in. Chess is what keeps his mind stimulated and allows him to use his knowledge in a fun and lighthearted competitive way. Ethan is constantly trying to achieve a better version of himself, and knows that his family’s belief in him, as well as his own dedication, will take him far. His activities keep him on his toes and help him improve as a person. He has the ability to motivate himself and keep himself going even as life gets difficult. Ethan says that wrestling is probably the most difficult high school sport because of the dedication it requires. But the community and support make it all rewarding!

Here are 5 fun facts about Ethan!

He has a black belt in Taekwondo.
He loves playing the piano.
He has two dogs named Belvedere and Otis.
He has a collection of gas masks.
He loves to go fishing.

This month’s junior student shoutout goes to Steven Locke! Steven is the male lead in the school movie Bridgerhurt Asylum for the Sane, and has been participating in the arts since the eighth grade! Steven especially enjoys the storytelling aspect of acting. Through the support of his family, friends, and others around him, he has had the ability to take on many opportunities that others have not. Steven is motivated by his faith, as he goes wherever God is telling him to go. Steven says that if you are interested in participating in a play, movie, or any type of art production, just try it! It’s always good to give something a try. No matter how you might feel about it in the end, you were able to have that experience.

This month our senior student shoutout goes to Reeve Borseth! Reeve is one of the undefeated girls soccer team’s four captains. She has been playing soccer since she was in kindergarten and says that it is what brings her joy. Reeve loves the feeling of stepping onto the field for games and practices, knowing that soccer is what she excels at and what helps her strive to be the best version of herself. Her family and friends offer her support and are constantly challenging and motivating her in the best ways possible. Knowing that there is so much to look forward to and experience in the future motivates her. She says
“The only thing you can do right now is work in the present and be the best that you can be!” Reeve says that if she had to tell someone interested in soccer one thing, it would be to just go for it! Soccer gives you new opportunities to make friends, challenge yourself, and to stay active. If you put your mind to it, you can excel!

Here are 5 fun facts about Reeve!

She loves sushi.
She loves to sing.
Her highest record for juggling a soccer ball is 936 consecutive times!
Her favorite holiday is the 4th of July.
She went paragliding for her 17th birthday at Torrey Pines over the Pacific Ocean.

As a bonus, we have a shoutout for Bubba! Bubba is the best spirit dog we could ask for! Bubba works to constantly keep us on our toes and doing our best. We love seeing Bubba around campus and participating in fun school activities like this year’s Thanksgiving food drive assembly. He did a great job at picking up those cans! Though Bubba can’t speak, I’m sure his answers to all of our questions would be just as inspirational as those of the students’. Bubba would encourage us all to do well and stay motivated. He knows times are tough, and that’s why he’s always there, ready for a high five or just a hello!

Here are 5 fun facts about Bubba!

He is a golden retriever.
He loves taking photos with students.
He is emotionally supportive.
He brightens up everyone’s day.
His dad is Mr. Matusak!