My top 5 moments throughout 2023 by Alicia Ramirez

America vs Chivas game, Oct 15, 2023

1077770 — 2024-01-11 02:30:09 UTC

On October 15, of 2023 I was lucky enough to go to El Clasico de Mexico, America vs Chivas soccer game with my family and friends. This fun event took place in the Rose Bowl stadium and since it was a new place, All 3 of the people we were with(my dads friends) had gone to different parking lots than the one they had all agreed on and with that we all made do and walked the 20 minutes and met in lot k. Very good start but as the hours passed and we enjoyed the food we had brought it was time to go into the stadium. The line was so long that it went out into the parking lot! but time flew by and we got close to the entrance, but as we got into the bar metal fences people got separated by teams, and my dad's friend David had to leave to the other team side Chivas. everything was great, the vibe was on and even other random strangers where somehow in our cheering group ranting about how we where winning and blah blah(I think it was all the adult drinks they had) and it was so fun even I not a very sporty person was on the high. But then boom Chivas side of the stadium threw red gas booms to the field and then 1 turned into 3 or 4 I don't remember( they just mad they lost) and because they wouldn't stop the ref called the game early but either way America won El Clasico. All in all this was one of the more intense things that happened but it's fine I got taco after the game.

Las Vegas Thanksgiving Classic Cup Nov 24, 2023

1077770 — 2024-01-11 04:55:47 UTC

On the 24 of November, of 2023 It was my little 8 year old brothers soccer tournament in Las Vegas. It was me, my dad and brother for this 5 am road trip with another teammate named Christian and his dad. The road to Las Vegas wasn't that bad in fact I didn't even see anything until we got to our first stop at the gas station, All I did on the road was sleep so i didn't see the view that much. Once we were in the legendary Las Vegas we obviously were super duper smart and went to a normal Denny's instead of a new place to eat breakfast(The Denny's was super over priced). And after eating we were off to the fist game, and of course we took the win home of 1-8. We then went to the house that was rented for some of the team members that decided to spend the nights together and spent the 4 day weekend competing. The team was doing really well but out of the blue we tied our semi finals, it was our 2 tie and if the other team won their next game we had to go back home. We all thought we would lose but a miracle came and Newcastle won and we had made it to the finals, We where all so exited, I even celebrated to hard and ended with a deep cut that still is marked in my pinky(worth it). Then the day came, my brother is a winger for the left side and the other team had a pretty tall kid but my brother ate him all up and gave amazing passes. Not only that but the strikers were striking and made 4 amazing goals. Defenders did not let the ref get to them even if the mark were unfair. I also like that they won in a good game, it wasn't an easy 4-2 but Anaheim FC made it and took the trophy home!

Disneyland California Adventure Park, July 8, 2023

1077770 — 2024-01-12 04:12:27 UTC

July 8 of 2023 was probably my second most funnest day because I got to go to Disneyland for the first time since the pandemic. My family has a thing to get there the minute it opens and leaves the hour they close, so I was worn out. As we were walking into the theme park my dad had the most amazing ideas to go on the Guardians of the Galaxy ride since there were barely any people and we never been on it so a new cool ride? no it was horribly terrifying. My poor hands were grabbing into anything they could. and once this ride was over I was trembling as a leaf in a hurricane, But I wont lie the ride was kinda fun and maybe my favorite, it just gives the chills. The next rides that we went on were Grizzly river run, Incredicoaster coaster, maters junkyard jamboree, and much more. but in my opinion eating a fresh churro while watching the fireworks is something so zen and calming. I'm hoping that I can go back to Disneyland again soon.

Student of the year award May 24, 2023

1077770 — 2024-01-12 04:57:28 UTC

The student of the year award that took place in Kennedy high school is something that makes me proud, it gives me this feeling that I am doing right in my pathway. At first it was a little surprising, I kept asking myself who it was. then in science my teacher Ms McNeil told me "do you know which teacher picked you as student of the year?" I had said no and she then smiled. I was a little nervous because a 8th grade friend who was nominated before had told me how they would show your id picture in a big screen and how I had to stand in front of a bunch of students and parents all looking at me while the teacher who nominated you gave a speech. All I was doing while waiting for my name to be called was a fidget around with my shirt. and when it was my time to go I saw that it was ms McNeil who had nominated me. At that moment nothing other than giving her a big hug came to my mind. I am truly grateful for her and how she made my 7th grade year academically fun!

Yosemite National Park July 2, 2023

1077770 — 2024-01-12 05:29:15 UTC

July 2 of 2023 my family planned our yearly Yosemite National Park. Somehow the 6 hour road trip never fails to make me sleep 70%. But I always wake up when we enter the wild part. my parents think it's much more difficult to camp so we spent 4 days in this cute cozy cabin like a hotel. Once we unpacked we obviously went to the river nearby and spent the rest of the day socializing with other people and getting our hair wet. On the 2nd day we actually went into the national park and explored different rivers and lakes and then came in super late to eat at the hotel restaurant. The 3rd day was the hardest, we somehow decided to hike all the way up a mountain. My legs were so exhausted that day that i couldn't even feel them. The last day was more relaxing and we pretty much were in the rivers we found on day 2 and just enjoyed the view. And then back to hitting the highway again.