 Article by Parker Jones
Valentine's Day, for most people, brings to mind candy hearts, the sweet smell of roses drifting over the air, glitter hearts and the rich taste of chocolate. It is meant as a day to celebrate love and friendship. However, one year ago a horrifying event shattered the peace of Valentine's Day. In Parkland, Florida, someone entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and opened fire, killing seventeen people. This event sparked sorrow across the nation, and then anger, two emotions not usually associated with such a romantic holiday. Of course everyone was shocked, nobody expects such a tragedy to happen. Nobody expects seventeen people to die and in such a violent way. This year, many people will celebrate Valentine's Day with an extra weight in their hearts and sorrow in their minds. Lives have been changed by this tragedy, people have been lost, and remembering that such pain originated only one year ago stings. So this Valentine's Day, do celebrate love, it is important now as it has always been. Just remember the many families that have an empty space where someone once was, and appreciate the loved ones still in your life. Photograph by Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images via The Guardian Interview by Kat Franklin Rossivew’s wrestling team of 2019 has the best lineup so far: not only do we have state champions, we have an opportunity for a dual championship. Mr. Martinez, as well as a couple of the players, were available for questioning. What are your goals for the team this year? Mr. Martinez: "Make the state tournament. The girls have a unique opportunity to win a state dual title and the individual state title. For the boys we want to repeat as district champions and qualify for state dual tournament." Do you think you’ll reach them? Mr. Martinez: "Absolutely, we expect to." What have you accomplished so far? Mr. Martinez: "We are the number one seed (position in a tournament bracket) for the district." Are there new wrestlers, and are they good at it? Mr. Martinez: "Yes, they’re acclimating to the wrestling." Do your wrestlers practice often? Mr. Martinez: "Every day, we put in a lot of work." How did your team develop in the off season? Mr. Martinez: "We lift and train in the off season." Do you have anything you would like Rossview to know about the wrestling team? Mr. Martinez: "It is a life changing sport." How should Rossview students participate to help out the team? Mr. Martinez: "Wrestlers spend a lot of time, energy, and effort to achieve their goals. School support will help them attain success. To overcome adversity it takes determination, commitment, perseverance and discipline." First time wrestlers: Justina Chongnee How is wrestling so far? Justina: "It’s great. It’s keeping me in shape and you get to meet new people on the team." What were you expecting and how did the actual sport live up to that? Justina: "I was expecting a lot of running and conditioning ... It’s exactly how I thought it would be, except that the conditioning was even more than I thought." Is it a challenge? Justina: "Yes. You have to be in shape, it takes a lot of movement and a lot of work." Would you recommend it to other students? Justina: "Yes. It’s a fun sport to do and once you get into it, you find out it’s really interesting." Current Wrestlers: Cameron Clark and Paul Pierson How is wrestling so far? Paul: "We’ve had a great season so far, and as regionals and state come closer, the pressure’s building. Every win counts." What were you expecting and how did the actual sport live up to that? Cameron: "I expected it to easy but it’s actually a lot of work." Is it a challenge? Paul: "Yes, practices are tough, but it’s ultimately rewarding. And although you do lose sometimes, you have to keep going and win your next one. Every match is a chance for improvement." Would you recommend it to other students? Cameron: "Yes, it’s hard but in the end it’s worth it." Experienced Wrestler: Emma Walker How long have you been wrestling? Emma: "Since late ninth grade year." What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in the sport? Emma: "I won national title in Oklahoma, I was state champion last year. I won third at state two years ago. I was two time All-American. I was defeated last year, and so far undefeated this year." How do you think Rossview will do this year? Emma: "There is hurt players right now, but I think we will do great if we do not give up." Is the training harder or easier than when you began? Emma: "It is easier because I am in shape now and I know what is going to come from it." |