The loss of our dear seniors may come as a surprise to those who have been living under a rock for the last few months, but to others the loss has come way too quickly. For me, the day that seniors have been released and have walked these halls for the last time as a student will be the day some of the most influential and inspirational people I’ve met will leave, as members of AAHS Graduating Class of 2017. 

I would first like to say goodbye to the Girl’s Basketball graduates Brooke Sulski and Katiln Gallegos. Katelin and Brooke have been the team captains of our Air Academy basketball program for 2 years now; they have left some big shoes to fill.

Brooke Sulski was our team’s starting point guard, as so, she never failed to keep her head up during really tough games and was always able to push everyone to get better during practice. She never failed to work her butt off no matter what we were doing that day, even if it was pyramids. Brooke will be going to Saint Olaf University in Minnesota for basketball and academics. Though everyone here is going to miss her greatly, I am absolutely certain she will become an essential part of the Saint Olaf team. Good luck Brooke, the basketball team is going to miss you! 

Now, where do I even start with Katelin? She has been a beast for the three years I have been here, our leading scorer and completely unstoppable inside the paint. However, what strikes me is that she is so different on and off the court. On the court she is, get out of my way or get run over, but off the court she is the sweetest person you will ever meet. It is actually hilarious to see the change before and after a game. After the season ended, I remember that during a conversation with our coach he asked with Katelin leaving if I wanted to be “Katlyn” now instead of “Kat,” of course I said “no” because it just felt wrong. Silly, I know. Even though Katelin is not going to college for basketball, as she is going for track, she made such a difference in my game play and has always been someone I look up to on and off the court. 

“I’m going to miss my team so much.  They have been with me for such a long time and have become like a family to me. I love them all and I have been so blessed and am so thankful to have been with the group of girls that I have been with.  The past season was the most fun I have ever had and I’m so happy and thankful for my teammates for that,” stated Katelin. 

Although I have only played with these girls for 1 year I must say that it has been a fantastic year that has gone by far too fast! The girls soccer team has been an amazing experience for me, with everyone on the team participating and making this season one to remember. I hadn’t played soccer in 7 years when I first came out to play goalie this season and to say that early on in the season was a rough start for me is an understatement. Nevertheless, the girls were very supportive and patient with me as I was learning and getting back into the flow. But that’s not what this story is about, the seniors on this team, Morgan Hartman, Elina Saulo, and Paris Dewing, have all made this year a very special one with them, especially encouraging me to improve.

Lets start with Morgan Hartman.

She plays as a right defensive wing. Her incredible talent and nonchalant attitude to taking it to the other team if need be makes her an amazing defender. Morgan always has my back by helping with positioning and keeping the offensive line farther away all while pushing the ball up the outside line. Not to mention, she is so sweet and just so much fun to be around. Morgan is such a great defender and we are all going to miss her, but I wish her luck in college!  

Morgan said, “As a senior and a captain on Air Academy’s Varsity team I have enjoyed my last four years and will most definitely miss it. I love my teammates I have had through the years and all the dedication they have. I will miss this team greatly.”

Pairs Dewing, I remember playing basketball with her freshman year and thinking wow she’s really good. But now, seeing her play soccer even after having been injured early on in the season, she is such a force to be reckoned with. She knows how to keep the other players off the ball when she has it, which allows her to move around with the ball like its a walk in the park. This skill comes in handy seeing as she plays in the mid-field where it is really hard to move the ball, as there are so many people in the area. She has been an amazing team captain and always there for the team even when she had to sit out due to her leg. Good luck Paris, we will all miss you so much!

Elina Saulo, an exchange student from Finland, is so much fun to be around and never fails to light up a room when she walks in. She, unfortunately, suffered from an injury to her ankle during a game against Cheyenne Mountain and has had to sit out up until now. She is now out of her boot and freely moving it with a brace on. She is patiently waiting and really wants to start playing again soon, but the doctors have not given her the green light yet seeing as she is still recovering. Before her injury she played at center back and always helped keep the ball out from directly in front of the goal. She is amazingly talented and I really wish she was not leaving to head back to Finland after this year, but I wish her luck wherever she goes!  “I like Hayden” -Hayden “I like that America has school sports, we don’t have school sports in Finland. I also really like the people and the teachers here, I loved playing soccer with the girls and I believe we play really well together. Our coach, Espen, is a lot of fun and I am going to miss everyone on the team so much! When I asked her about Finland vs America she said, “Everything is so much bigger here, the houses the cars the schools and America has school sports.”       

With these seniors leaving, Air Academy sports will be losing some great players! We will miss you greatly but wish you all luck!