Interviewed by Margaux M

Meghan remembers the day as chaotic and heartbreaking. “It was very hectic, and it was very sad,” she said. At the time, both of Meghan’s sisters were away at college, which made the loss feel even lonelier. Maggie had always been there for her, especially when she was home alone. Meghan explained that her dog made her feel safe and less alone, sharing that when she was younger, “if I ever heard a noise or was scared, I felt like she was always there to protect me.” Maggie was older and usually calm, but Meghan loved seeing how excited she became on trips. When the family traveled to places like Big Bear, Maggie would suddenly have bursts of energy and run around happily, something she rarely did at home.

Looking back, Meghan says losing Maggie changed the way she sees things. The experience made her feel a deeper connection to dogs, and she is often reminded of Maggie whenever she sees one that looks like her. A few months after Maggie passed away, Meghan’s family got another dog, but Maggie’s memory still means a lot to her. Reflecting on that time, Meghan realized how much Maggie had helped her through moments when she felt alone, making her loss even more meaningful.

Emma explains “It was really hard because I had to meet new people while learning the language, and I was sad to leave the people I knew in China behind.”  Her final moments in China were celebrating her departure with her friends and family that she hasn’t seen since the day she left. When Emma first moved to San Francisco she began her education with online school because of Covid-19. This furthered her inability to meet new people along with the language barrier because she was unable to talk to anyone outside of her family, making her feel more alone than ever. Fortunately, after staying in San Francisco for 5 months, Emma’s family moved to Hermosa, as San Francisco was only a temporary plan. Emma said “I remember the first time I tried acai bowls In Hermosa, and I didn’t mind moving here because I felt at home again, trying these new things.” When asked about what she learned from this experience Emma remarked “I realized that home doesn’t have to be where I’m from,” demonstrating that Emma found a community and a belonging within Hermosa. Even though Emma moved over 6,000 miles away from the people and place she was closest to. Emma was able to power through the struggles of moving to a completely new country and create a new home within the love of her family and friends in Hermosa. If someone were to ask Emma today where she is a local to, she would tell them “Hermosa.”

While waterpolo was a sport that Lily played, it was also a learning lesson. When lily was going into her first year of high school she felt a lot of pressure to choose a sport to play, and she didn't want to feel left out. She had done swimming before and ended up choosing waterpolo. Lily tried out for the team and made it! Yet she still had a rough first couple practices with the early mornings and added stress , and she didn't know if she wanted to continue playing. Lily talked to her parents and they told her that she should keep going, so that's what she did. Lily began to love the sport  and always looked forward to practices,she made some of her best friends through it. She loved going to tournaments and traveling with her teammates. Her family was always very supportive and her little sister would always come to cheer her on.

Lily played for all three years until the summer before her senior year, she wanted to get a job. Lily realized she couldn’t handle all of it and decided to stop playing. Some of the biggest things that Lily learned was to keep going and to push herself harder, she also learned amazing time management skills. Some of Lily's favorite memories come from her playing Waterpolo and she is so grateful for her experience.

As she got older, sports became way more serious and important in her life. Harper now practices every day of the week. During the high school lacrosse season, she practices every day, maybe even two times in one day. She also practices volleyball several times a week and sometimes travels to San Diego for her club lacrosse team. Before big games, Harper likes to get ready by thinking about what she wants to do well. She listens to music and imagines herself playing well, as well as talking about her gameplay with her Dad. She explained, “I try to visualize how I’m going to play, like seeing myself go through the motions and succeed.” Even though she loves sports, they can still be hard sometimes. Losing a game can be really upsetting. Harper said she takes some time after a tough loss, and she tries to learn from it by asking her coach what she can do better next time.

Harper hopes that all of her hard work will help her in the future. One of her biggest goals is to play a sport in college. She especially dreams about going to the University of North Carolina, where some of her family members went. Harper knows it will take a lot of effort, but she believes she can do it if she keeps working hard. “I think I can get there,” she said. “I just have to work hard.”

On the day of the move, Lucca was at school, too young to fully understand the big change that was happening. When her parents picked her up, they exclaimed “Let’s walk to our new house.” as it was just a few minutes away from Robinson Elementary. The moment she stepped through the front door, she sorrowfully realized “I didn’t get to say goodbye to my old room!” Her new, chaotic, messy room was filled with boxes of toys and clothes. Lucca explains her mixed emotions, “I was happy because of the new house, new place, new street, new neighbors.” Yet, she felt sad, not being used to change after living in her old house for most of her memorable childhood years. She missed her old neighbors, who she played with practically everyday, and the new neighbors were not her age, making the adjustment even more difficult. 

Three months later, following a room makeover, Lucca finally felt at home. She reflects, “I was more sad than I thought I was going to be, but really excited to organize everything and be in a new house with fresh beginnings.” Lucca learned that change can be bittersweet, but also full of new opportunities and memories waiting to be made.

Written by Tara Shivpuri

“[The trips] are such great times, it helps us bond and come closer as a family while also seeing so many things we never imagined,” Kai expresses. 

Kai’s family has been close, always staying in touch and doing fun activities as much as possible. He talks about how those are so fun but an experience without parents is an important one everyone should have. Spending a week with his cousins and his grandma has given him so many inside jokes as well as lots of knowledge about the world. Although all were amazing “[his] favorite would have to be last year when we went to Egypt and inside a pyramid.”   

While inside the pyramid they were able to see many ancient ruins and read different stories about what really happened. These trips changed Kai and gave him a much wider knowledge branch. He was also able to see things he never knew existed and learn about them. The opportunities that come with traveling and  sightseeing are endless and can do so much good and joy in one's life. His favorite tradition and one that he hopes to carry out and continue on will forever be the yearly trips with grandma. He’s able to connect with his family and have special experiences that they can share and remember forever. 

“These connections aren’t replaceable,” he says, grateful for all his family has done for him.

Photo above taken on a camel.

The students quickly rushed home, unexpected of what would happen. At that moment, she took what mattered most and left her childhood home behind. Natalie packed what she considered to be the most important things. “I took my Bible, my savings, my pajamas, my volleyball clothes for later, and my favorite shirt which said ‘Get Busy Living.’ The shirt was an honorary mention to remember my best friend’s dad, also my principal, who died due to ALS,” Natalie said. “Mr. Ludwig taught me how to stay positive as he continued to show up everyday to school while fighting the disease. He even came to our graduation which was only three days before he passed. Mr. Ludwig showed me what it’s like to be a Christian and lead by example,” she explained. 

Mr. Ludwig shaped Natalie and her perspective on life. Going through a tragedy like that can deeply change a person’s outlook on life. “It’s easy to be negative and focus on the downside of a situation, but he showed me how to trust God’s plan and stay positive through one of the hardest moments of my life,” Natalie said. As she drove away from her house, she didn’t know what would happen next, but she knew one thing for certain: everything would be okay. Natalie would carry those lessons Mr. Ludwig taught her for the rest of her life. 

One day he and his friend Miles took an 18 foot Boston Whaler out to Catalina Island. The ocean sat flat and calm, something fishermen call “eggs and bacon.” They spent the day casting small lures across the surface, trying to catch bass near the island. Everything felt calm until Miles suddenly felt something crawl across his face. He reached up but did not find anything. A few seconds later his friend looked closer and saw a spider about the size of two quarters crawling across Miles’s cheek. “It was the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life,” he said. Miles screamed so loud the sound carried across the water.

Looking back, he laughs at the memory. Fishing requires patience, and sometimes the catch does not matter. The moments on the boat with friends stay with him longer than any fish. As he explained, “It’s called fishing, not catching.”

Alright, I’m starting this interview with my friend Asa. I met her about a month ago. This is kind of like a podcast — we’re just talking.

Question: When do you feel most like yourself? Out of all the places you’ve lived, where do you feel happiest?

Out of all the places I’ve lived, I think Manhattan Beach resonates with me the most. My parents sometimes think I should feel more Pakistani, but I’ve lived in America longer, so I feel more at home here.

Yeah, I like that. I like when people from different countries say they feel American. That’s kind of the point of America — people come here from everywhere.

Question: What’s something you’re still figuring out in your life?

Well, I’m 15, turning 16, and my parents think I should have my whole life planned out. But since I move a lot, I don’t even know where I’m going to be next. I can’t plan everything when there’s that much uncertainty, so I just try to learn things as I go.

That’s actually a really good answer. Everyone’s kind of figuring things out as they go.

Question: What’s a childhood memory that makes you smile?

Probably the mangoes in Pakistan. They’re really sweet and you can’t find mangoes like them here.

Are they big?

Yeah, and really sweet. In the summer everyone eats mangoes because they’re in season. I once ate like twelve in one day.

Twelve mangoes?

Yeah

That’s crazy

Question: What’s your diet like when you live in different countries?

We mostly carry Pakistani food with us wherever we go. My mom’s a really good cook, so she finds the ingredients and makes food from home. I feel like food kind of keeps us grounded.

Food’s a big part of your family then.

Yeah, my mom makes really good food.

Question: Are you religious?

Yeah, I guess I am. In Islam we’re supposed to pray five times a day. Right now it’s Ramadan, which is really important, so you can’t really miss prayers.

Do you eat something specific to break your fast?

Usually dates. That’s what our prophet did, so we follow that.

Every day?

Yeah. I’m kind of sick of them now.

Yeah, I’d probably get sick of them too if I ate them every day.

Question: What do you like to do in your free time?

I like doing art. I recently got into scrapbooking. My friend and I started a scrapbook project, and when I leave I’m going to give it to her with all the memories.

That’s actually really cool.

Question: What’s something you didn’t care about as a kid that matters more now?

Probably my family. I think I took them for granted before, but moving around a lot brought us closer together. My friends might end up all over the world, but I’ll always have my family.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Alright, I think that wraps up the interview.

Volleyball soon became a major part of Gianna’s life, not just as a sport, but, according to her, “a way to get rid of stress” and an outlet for “having fun with my friends”. It became a tool of self discovery and growth, allowing Gianna to make fun memories and travel to new places. One of her favorite memories with volleyball was traveling to Florida. She said what stood out the most was “getting to play with my friends and being somewhere new”. She met two of her best friends from volleyball and continues to make new ones. Gianna was able to take the challenge of trying a new sport head on and grow not just as a player, but as an individual as well.

Interviewed by Lily Wheeler

As Brianna has grown through high school she's found comfort in things that connect her with people. She enjoys her Spanish class because it helps her more understand her culture and communicate with family members who speak the language. Outside of school Brianna enjoys baking brownies and cookies and listening to music when she needs to relax. One example is one of her favorite memories, going to the $uisideboy$ concert. She enjoyed this experience with her dad and says “It's a moment I'll never forget”.

Looking back Brianna believes that family is one of the most important things to her and shapes who she is. She hopes for people to see her as who she really is and hopes to stay close to the people she loves while remembering the lessons her family has taught her.

One winter evening, as candles flickered against the windows and the smell of baked bread filled the kitchen, Casey asked her grandmother why Poland was spoken about with such seriousness. Her grandmother set down her glass and explained,”Poland was taken by Russia. It was divided up and disappeared for years." She described how, in the late 1700s, powerful countries split Poland until it vanished from the map entirely. Casey tried to imagine that, a whole country erased, families scattered. “That’s why we stay together,” her grandmother said quietly. “When history tries to separate you, family is what keeps you whole.”

From that night on, the crowded table felt different to Casey. Lighting candles and decorating a Christmas tree weren’t contradictions, they were connections. The unity her family protected wasn’t accidental, it was intentional, shaped by generations who understood what it meant to lose land but refuse to lose each other. Through summers in Julian, San Diego and winters gathered shoulder to shoulder, Casey learned that history may change borders, but her family would always choose togetherness. 

He remembers the times when a goal got past him and how it made him want to work harder. “I feel like I could have saved it, so it makes me want to try harder on the next shot,” he explained. Even though his coach doesn’t always say much during games, Michael keeps himself accountable. He thinks about what went wrong, like who was open or where he should have been, so he can be ready next time. Michael says there wasn’t one moment that changed him, it’s been a slow process of getting better every practice and game. Before big games, he admits he feels nervous, but the second he steps onto the ice, all that disappears. “I’m just calm and playing in the moment,” he said. For Michael, hockey is more than stopping pucks. It’s about learning from mistakes, staying focused, and pushing yourself even when things don’t go your way. Every goal allowed teaches him something new, and every game helps him grow, both on and off the ice.

A dream of Laney’s has always been to attend the University of Oregon as a member of both the distance track and cross country team. She explains, “For running, the way you get recruited is through the school team, not a club team.” Therefore, she decided to focus on her high school career, quitting her club team, this freshman year. Laney describes the process, “Getting recruited for running is so subjective. It depends on your times, rather than what kind of player or runner you are.”  She also sees herself capable of running a marathon in the future, after high school, with precise training.

Ultimately, Laney’s impressive running career has shown her that dedication and resilience are essential to reaching her goals. She has grown into a community-driven athlete, valuing not only personal growth, but also the connections she builds with others along every mile. 

For Emma lacrosse has always been about growth. Whether it’s pushing herself to compete at the highest level or being someone her teammates can always count on. “ I want to continue to grow my skills while also helping better the people around me.” These qualities are exactly what makes her a strong addition to the national team, along side with her speed and crafty skills in the game. The success doesn’t only depend on the strongest or biggest team, but unity and support. 

What makes this experience especially meaningful to Emma is the connection it creates to her heritage. Wearing the Filipino jersey is more than a shirt but a source of pride. “ I am connecting family to a game I love.”  It helps to remind her that every play, every practice and every moment she has worked for is for more than a medal but a personal achievement that goes beyond lacrosse. This goal represents her family, background, and everything that has shaped her into the player she is today. As Emma prepares to compete, she carries a sense of purpose. She is not only aiming to improve her game, but to elevate those around her. And in doing so, she exemplifies what it means to truly love the sport, not just for competition but for the discovery of identity and growth that comes with it.

One of her favorite memories with her brothers is the concert they recently went to together. They dressed up in similar outfits and enjoyed the night at the concert together. They went to see Peso Pluma. She loves this memory because they were able to be themselves and enjoy some of their favorite songs with other people who love the same music. Speeding quality time with him will always be part of Gigi’s favorite memories. 

For Gigi having older brothers has made a safe haven for her and made her feel so lucky to have them. Being the only daughter, and the youngest has only made her more adaptive to the world. Her brothers had a lot going on in their lives while she was growing up. They were high school seniors, applying for college, leaving for college, and starting lives of their own. The sadness of them leaving also made her realise that as much as she loves them and cares for them, they have taught her so much she can go out into the world and use it every day now. 

She loves being able to talk to them about anything without any fear of what he might say or do in response. They gossip together about school and sometimes family drama. They come from a big family so the drama grows and is talked about often. She knows that their relationship won't fade even as he grows older and away from the family. They will always make time for each other and prioritize when they are together. 

The stage felt like her enemy. Even a small room made her nervous. Last year she signed up for a public speaking class. At first she regretted it. The class only had about thirty students, but during the first week everyone had to give a speech. When the teacher called her name, her heart started racing and her hands felt sweaty. “I had the worst case of stage fright. I remember thinking I was going to forget everything. I jittered, fumbled, and shook the whole time. But when it was over, I thought, ‘That wasn’t even that bad. Maybe I should see where this leads.’”

The first speeches felt uncomfortable. Maybe even impossible. She rushed through her words and tried not to look at anyone in the room. “My hands shook like crazy and every time I spoke, it felt like a blur.” Standing in front of the class felt like everyone was watching her. “All eyes on me definitely heightened those feelings. And we had to memorize our speeches.” But the class kept going. Every week meant another speech. Slowly things started to change. She practiced speaking slower. She tried to look up at the audience instead of at the wall. Sometimes she even added a small joke. When people laughed, it helped her relax. “By the end of the semester I had so much more confidence that I actually enjoyed giving speeches and honestly, it was really empowering to be able to do that confidently. Week after week, I was improving, and not only in class. I felt like that confidence shined through in my basic, daily interactions.”

So now speaking in front of people feels different for her. What once felt scary now feels manageable. She says the biggest lesson was simple. “Confidence grows with practice,” she added. Each time she stood up to speak, it became a little easier the next time. “It’s a skill that definitely grows over time, to speak with conviction. But now, even though I’m still a little nervous– I think it’s a good thing. It’s someone anyone can do if you just learn to overcome it. I would’ve never thought before I signed up that I would come so far. I’m overall, just really proud of myself.”

Now , of course still feels some nerves when she steps in front of people. But she’s learned something important. “Fear isn’t the enemy. It’s proof that you’re doing something that matters. I’m still scared sometimes, and that’s okay. It means I’m growing.”

And she also knows that if she can survive thirty people staring at her and keep talking, she can handle almost anything that comes next.

Makena is much more than just a beach volleyball player though, she has 2 dogs, 4 older siblings between 9 and over 15 years older than her, and most importantly her friends are everything to her. Makena plays so much volleyball that she almost never has any free time but whenever she does she makes the most of it either with her friends, boyfriend, or dogs and family. When you see Makena from the outside it looks a lot like all she is is a girl who's devoted everything to beach volleyball but really she's a friend, girlfriend, pet owner, daughter, and sister to so many people across Manhattan Beach.

The main thing that Giuliana learned in her years of playing volleyball is that communication is key in all of her relationships or sports. She tries her best to keep a positive attitude when participating in anything for volleyball. Volleyball also helps her with her time management,of keeping her grades up and going to practices. She also learned how to get along with people a lot more even if it’s challenging. Giuliana keeps improving on all of her skills and mental focus while playing volleyball and she wouldn’t know what to do without it.

By, Gianna La Bella

Before this lacrosse season started Ryan tragically injured his elbow in a club game, yet Ryan still showed up at every single practice and helped in any way he could, even if it wasn’t on the field. The coaches recognized the drive Ryan had and made him captain of the JV lacrosse team at Mira Costa. In last week's game against El Segundo, Ryan made his return back on the field and put on a show stopping all of the other team’s players on defense. Ryan talked more about surfing calling it an “escape” and how he felt it was where he was a local, noting “I feel most comfortable at the beach and in the water.” Surfing affected him for the better, as he met even more people, gave him a break from the world, and picked up a hobby. Ryan has now exceeded what he thought he could accomplish in just two years of high school by becoming a role model for freshmen on and off the lacrosse field, and adopting a hobby that has changed the person he is for the better by embracing surf culture and discovering what it truly means to be a local.

This was a huge turning point in Avery and her twin sisters life, switching schools, making new friends, and fitting into a brand new routine. This has prepared Avery for her school switches with elementary to middle school and middle school to high school, which can be very helpful when adapting to a new environment. “I made so many friends to and it was very good for middle school because coming from two schools i knew a bunch of people”, avery says with excitement. Avery now had some great memories to look back on with both pacific and grandview and is very grateful for her time at both schools.

A specific memory that stands out to Lola is a waterfall she would visit with her family and friends. She would jump off the rock, swim, and admire the falling water. Kai, Kengey, and Francis, local kids in Cambutal, are a second family to Lola. She grew up with them, fishing and hunting crabs. They would go on adventures as little kids, exploring the land. 

Panama has always helped to ground Lola. It is a place that helps her take a step back and be more carefree. It will always be a major part of Lola’s identity. When asked about her biggest takeaway whenever she leaves Panama, Lola shared, “I always felt present and at peace there. I feel free, less restrained. It is a place that brings me lots of joy. I always want to go back”.

Interviewed by Lily Wheeler

The second after she tore her ACL she didn’t fully understand the gravity of the situation. She heard a pop in her leg but thought she would be ok to just walk it off and play the next day. After this she realized how serious this was. She had to get surgery on her knee which would make her wait 9-12 months until she could play any type of sport again. As Elisa says “Physically it's hard after surgery because it takes a while to even walk again or put any weight on it but the physical part is a lot easier than the mental part”. Not only was this hard physically but also mentally, this was because you mentally need to want to get better in order to physically get better. Throughout recovery Elisa had to wear a brace whenever she walked and had to do lots of P.T. She needed help walking, going up stairs, and had to do many exercises. During this time her friends and parents helped her the most. Tearing her ACL changed the way Elisa viewed competition and her Athletic abilities. She said that it makes her feel a lot weaker when she gets injured and less of an athlete than what she thought she was.

During the recovery process Elisa learned a lot about resilience and patience. She had to toughen up and remember her patience because recovery is a very long process. She has also learned to become more emotional with a lot of the other challenges in her life and be able to talk to people. Pruitt’s approach to other sports has also changed since she started recovering. She thinks that she will get back to sports it's just a matter of time and how disciplined she is. If she were to give advice to someone going through this injury she would say stick with their P.T., ask for help when they need it either mentally or physically because people want to help, and to keep hope. 

Every summer, Ambre travels to France, where she spends time with her extended family and fully immerses herself in the culture. These visits allow her to strengthen her relationships, experience everyday life in France, and create lasting memories. Moving between two cultures has made her more open-minded and adaptable, as she understands and appreciates different perspectives. Her ability to navigate both worlds so naturally is a big part of what makes her unique, and it continues to shape her identity in a meaningful way.

Her family traditions and daily life play a big role in shaping who she is. One of her favorite traditions is opening presents before Christmas Day, something that makes the holiday feel unique and exciting. Celebrations in her family are lively, filled with large gatherings, food cooked by her dad, and time spent playing games or watching movies together. At home, her family also makes an effort to include vegan options, which reflects their values but isn’t something she sees much at school. These experiences have helped her understand how culture and ethnicity influence the way people live and celebrate. She believes one of the most respectful things someone can do is show appreciation for her culture, especially through its food and traditions.

Growing up, Kaitlin sometimes struggled with feeling like she didn’t belong, especially due to insecurities related to her hypothyroidism. However, over time she became more confident and found supportive friends who helped her feel accepted. Today, she still faces challenges, particularly with balancing schoolwork and procrastination due to ADHD, but she carries advice from her grandmother: “Never say you’ll try, just say you will do it.” Although she may seem quiet at first, Kaitlin wants others to know she is actually outgoing, considerate, and always open to new experiences.

I have always been into music and orchestra since I was little. I don’t really remember when I initially got into music, but since then, it has been a very large part of my life and my journey. Through music, I have learned to appreciate the little things and details of life, celebrating every win and brushing off every loss. I have been shaped into the human I am because of music and what it has taught me, as well as how it has helped me in my academic career. Learning new tools and techniques to help me study and succeed in my classes. This has also pushed me to try new things, dipping my toes into projects and crafts I never thought I would face. 

Looking back, Verity says hockey has been one of the most important parts of her life. It’s not just a sport she plays; it’s a part of who she is. The skills, lessons, and mindset she gained from hockey have influenced everything she does. “It’s made me who I am,” she says, “and I don’t think I’d be the same person without it.” Hockey taught her more than how to skate or shoot it taught her how to handle life, challenges, and herself with strength and confidence.

Growing up, there were six kids at home, so things rarely ever slowed down. Her mother served in the Air Force while her father stayed active in the Army, which kept their household on the move. Placeslike Colorado, Nevada, and Washington became familiar - then forgotten - asyears passed. One relocation followedanother until she’d lived in Utah, Texas, and eventually California too. Seventeenmoves shaped her childhood. High school brought a fresh start each fall - in adifferent state than the one before.

At eight, her mom and dad split because their home life turned harsh and painful. Following those changes, complicationspiled up - there were moments whenofficials stepped in to check on her safety. With so much pressure around her, Adi ended up handling grown-up problemswhile still small herself. Being youngerthan nearly everyone else in class addedextra weight to each day.

Still, Adi kept reaching out. Meetingsomeone new never scared her, despiteknowing she could leave soon. Sportsshowed up again and again, year afteryear. Soccer first, then volleyball, sometimes running in circles, often racingacross fields, once swinging a bat - eachgame an anchor when everything elseshifted.

Facing shift after shift, Adi rebuilt whenthings cracked. Still, each stumble didn’tstop her reaching out, speaking up, tryingagain. Even with life bent she stayed courageous and resilient.