Last Year, First Tries
Seniors remark on their experiences of trying something new before leaving high school.
Many high school students report having done a sport or have had interest in their future career since they were kids. Because of this, it may be hard to try something new during school, especially senior. However, are the people that
Senior Lucy Zhang started sailing this school year. She said that she’s wanted to do the sport since her sophomore year but “was really busy not only with school but with stuff in [her] life.” This year, “I finally cleared up my schedule,” she says.
Like trying anything for the first time, Zhang said that she felt nervous “because everyone usually has a year or two, or at least a season or two of experience,” she says, “I was going in completely new.”
However, the more time she spent in the environment, the less intimidated Zhang felt. She says, “everyone was so welcoming, and so I feel like you can naturally fit in.”
Zhang reflects on the close relationships present in the team. “I think for any sport there’s a lot of bonding. I just didn’t expect [team bonding] to be so much for sailing,”
There are more aspects of sailing that she loves, such as the water. “[My favorite part is] definitely getting out in the water,” she remarks, “I think one thing about Michigan
Jiwoo Park // Graphics Editor
is that there’s a lot of lakes, so I want to take full advantage of that.”
Although Zhang had prior experience of experimenting with sailing once, she still felt nervous to start amidst all the people that have been doing it for years.
“Just go for it,” Zhang encourages all seniors who want to try something new. She even plans to continue the sport in college.
Senior JoAnn Tu similarly joined the Troy Theatre Ensemble recently. Similar to Zhang, Tu “always sort of wanted to try out being in a play or acting, but [she] never really had time until this year.”
In the play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, she had “a minor part” of a fairy, and Tu expressed that performing in front of an audience for the first time wasn’t as nerve-racking as she thought it would be. “It was actually okay because we’ve done rehearsal so many times, and I was always on stage with my fellow actors. It was fun,” she recalls.
With the busy schedule during a production, the extended time spent together can definitely bring people closer. Tu expresses gratitude for the community that theatre has brought her. “I think it just reinforced a sense of community,” she says, “every new club I join, I’m always kind of surprised by how wel coming people are, even though I don’t know much about the club or what I’m supposed to do, like how helpful peo ple can be, so I’m re ally grateful for that.”
In addition, Tu enjoys the art of performing on stage itself. She says, “it’s very different from anything else you do because you’re on stage and you’re doing something for the benefit of the audience.”
Tu regrets not joining theatre earlier, and says that she “didn’t feel ostracized or anything.” Joining something isn’t as frightening as it may feel, even as the least experienced, which Tu felt like she was.
She encourages all to “definitely give it a shot. Don’t be scared of people judging you or you failing because you never really know until you try, as cliche as that sounds,” she concludes, “you’d be surprised at how nice people are.”
Finally, senior Isabella Moore recently joined the gymnastics team after having quit the sport.
Moore had done gymnastics “for about 10 years” and “quit about two years ago,” and she wanted to join the Troy-Avondale Gymnastics team with Troy High School, Troy Athens High School, Avondale High School and Berkeley High School. Moore says, “I feel like I couldn’t let it go for the rest of my life, so I had to do it my senior year one more time, and I just thought it’d be the perfect time to try out the school team.”
While she was slightly worried about joining the team because of her halt in the sport, Moore says positively, “I think it was the best decision I could’ve made. Everyone was really great, the coach-
SENIOR TIMELINE
World events during the class of 2025’s high school career. Sage Venable // Staff Reporter Taylor Swift releases “Red (Taylor’s Version)”
es are quite amazing too, and overall, it’s just a great time.”
Like the other two seniors, Moore greatly appreciates the connection to other people the gymnastics team brought to her. “[My favorite part is] definitely the people,” she says, “there’s just a lot of different levels. You can have a very beginner and a very advanced all on the same team, we just kind of work together.”
Moore has really enjoyed the school team this year and doesn’t regret quitting the previous team she was on not affiliated with Troy High School.
In the near future after graduating, Moore plans on continuing gymnastics. “I’ll probably join a club team at college,” she comments.
As expressed in all three of these seniors, joining something new even in their last year of high school has brought immensely impactful relationships and passions to them, and even plans to continue it in the future. While gathering up the courage to be the only new person in a group is hard, the regret of never doing it can hit one harder.
“It’s your last year, you know,” Zhang says, “YOLO. Just try it. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Have vaped in school
66.3% Participated in a Senior Skip Day
8.7% Sage Venable // Staff Reporter
Seniors Gone Wild!
The results of the 2024 Troy High School senior survey.
72.8% Had an academic comeback 40.2% Have considered dropping out
26.1% 66.3%
Have fallen asleep in class
65.2% Have pooped in school
8.7%
Have lied on this
All percentages are out of 93 anonymous respondents. 47.8% Turned 18 this year
Were involved in disciplinary action Used the senior balcony Have been cheated on 52.7% Went on a senior trip 18.3% 79.6% 96.8% 65.2%
Have stolen from the lost and found 60.9% 20.7 18.3% 14% 25.8%
Have read The Chariot
Have never used their school issued
Have made a 88 % Used ChatGPT
Have failed a class 20.7%
Have been caught cheating on a test
Caps and Gowns, but Never Goodbyes
A group of 11 graduating girls that are childhood best friends look back on memories and prepare for their separate futures..
A group of seniors this year have been friends since childhood, introducing: Selma Mawazini, Rebecca Kozlowski, Janie Lennon, Maya Saad, Emerson Swider, Tia Tonelli, Rylie Okulich, Ainsley Ohman, Chloe Kraus, Ava Fleming and Brooke Hotts.
Their tight-knit friend group has known each other since kindergarten, and some before then. According to Tia Tonelli, growing up without sisters, “they have been like [the] sisters” she’s never had. They are all so different, yet similar, it is a “mix of every sin gle type of person [one] could imagine.” The friend ships to in in her cording to Ains ley Ohman, the friendships have made her “understand trust better, and
Isela Mulcahy
be able to form better relationships” while simultaneously placing value on the relationships.
When they were younger, the girls found each other in a plethora of different ways: from family friends, to school, sports or even neighbors. But Rylie Okulich in particular remembers her first time meeting Selma Mawazini in 6th grade at Boulan Park Middle School. Okulich saw Mawazini crying, then sat with her at lunch that day. One small action caused those girls and in term the group “to become inseparable” from one another ever since.
Another nostalgic memory shared by Rebecca Kozlowski and Maya Saad was “playing 4-square at recess” at Schroeder Elementary
Janie Lennon recalled doing “lemonade stands in the summer almost everyday” with Kozlowski, her
On the other hand, Brooke Hotts and Tia Tonelli did not
// Staff Reporter
go to Boulan Park Middle School like the rest of the girls, so they found the group different ways. According to Hotts, “soccer definitely helped us all become really close,” in addition to Beachwood Swim Club where they would spend a lot of time together in the summer, “almost everyday.”
When looking back on high school years, Saad described the best memories as “sleepovers before the first day or school” or “the first day of summer.”
Tonelli agreed, sharing a particular memory of the first day of summer after junior year. A day where they went up to a cottage, and swam, tanned the whole day, and “had dance parties on the boat.” Tonelli narrated it as, “the best time with the people we all love the most.”
The girls have been together through thick and thin. From Ainsley Ohman’s earliest mem ories of the girls being ballet class with Emerson Swider, Rebecca Kozlowski and Janie
where I would be without
Brooke Hotts commented “I’m never alone, my heart is so full.” As the girls plan their departure from Troy High School and each other, they know they’ll never truly leave each
In Chloe Kraus’s words, “we’ll stay friends and continue to see each other over break.”
“They’ve made me the person who I am today, I don’t know
From Duo to Solo
Twins from the class of 2025 prepare to go their separate ways after high school. Michelle Fedosseev // Staff Reporter
With graduation approaching, many sibling duos are going to be heading their separate ways for the first time.
Growing up, identical twins Swathi and Varsha Seshadri, now seniors, enjoyed being involved in classical music and dance groups with each other. Being identical, peers often got the two mixed up both in and out of school. “The first time was in elementary school,” Swathi explains. “Varsha had this friend from tennis. She’d be walking in, and he’d scream ‘Hi Swathi!’ at the top of his lungs. I [Swathi] had no idea who he was. He would then go up to Varsha and say ‘I keep saying hi to you but you never say
hi back to me!’” Swathi then realized he’d gotten the two confused. “It took four or five rounds of this before I actually realized what was going on.”
Swathi and Varsha are pre paring to move hours apart to separate colleges that are also well known football and bas ketball rivals. Varsha will be enrolling in Michigan State University and Swathi to the University of Michigan. When asked how she feels about leaving her twin, Var sha explains, “I’m actually kind of excited. I mean, I love having her around, but having your own space to be completely yourself without being known as Swathi’s twin is exciting
to me.”
“It’s definitely going to be a change not having her in my house 24/7,” Swathi elaborates, “But also having the space to try new things with friend group throughout highschool. The two also enjoyed playing on the same golf team while at Troy High School. Hannah and Sophie are preparing to go their separate ways to college. When asked how they feel, Sophie explains, “I don’t really know. We won’t be that far apart, since she [Hannah] is going to Grand Valley and I’m going to Michigan State, but it will definitely be different not being able to see eachother
Sara and Mohammed Naga, fraternal twins, didn’t share many interests during their time in highschool. In fact, the two describe
Photo courtesy of Tia Tonelli
themselves as being “polar opposites.”
“He’s more of an outdoorsy and sports type of person,” states Sara Naga. “I’m more of an indoorsy academic type.” When asked how they feel about moving their separate ways to college, the two emphasize that they are “very excited” for the change. Sara is planning on attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Mohammed plans to attend Wayne State University in Detroit.
Various different universities in and out of Michigan are going to be homes to one half of a dynamic twin duo.
Photo courtesy of Varsha Seshadri
Leaving the Nest
Troy High School’s seniors reflect on the challenges of leaving home.
Maria Papalois // Staff Reporter Graphics by Jiwoo Park // Graphics Editor
As the 2024-2025 school year comes to an end, Troy High School’s seniors grapple with their impending departure to college and other post-graduation plans.
Senior Jeffrey Kim is set to attend Columbia University in New York in the fall, which is over 600 miles away from Troy High School. Kim acknowledges that “New York is a really hard place to adjust to” especially without having a parental type figure “looking out for [him].” The longest he has ever been a significant distance from home was for “two weeks” during a “summer camp” where he “did not really feel homesick” and thus Columbia University will be a big change for him.
Similarly, senior Edward Angers who has decided to attend Michigan Technological University has lived in Oakland County “[his] whole life” and also has “never been away from home for too long.” Michigan Technological University is in Houghton in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that is over 500 miles away from Troy High School. During his application process, the location of the university and its distance from home “didn’t really affect [his decision] at all” as Angers thought of it as a “good opportunity for [him] to be independent.”
With this new autonomy, he looks forward to expanding on hobbies such as “learning how to play an instrument,” something he has “always wanted to get into;” This will be as “[his] time will be structure.”
Kim, on the other hand, predicts he’ll have “a lot more stuff to explore in the city” and thus he “probably won’t play [his] instrument as much” as well as keeping up with the rigor ous classes at Columbia University.
Delaney Murduff, a senior who is plan ning to attend college “somewhere local around Michigan” also voices excitement at the expansion of “options in what classes” she would want to take, which is much more than at Troy High School.
Leaving for the next chapter in one’s life brings a shift in lifestyle such as in skills like cooking and day-to-day chores. Angers believes it “will not be too tremendous of a change” as he is already largely self-suffi cient and “know[s] how to cook.”
state” and can already fend for himself as of now.
Conversely, Murduff finds that she “will have to learn to cook” when she is on her own as well as acclimatize to “waking up on [her] own” since she will not have someone there to wake her up like she does now.
As far as the melancholic aspects of saying goodbye to home go, Murduff is less than jubilant by the prospect of “leaving [her] dogs and cats.”
Angers will miss most “hav[ing] a spot where it would be just [him]” in his “bedroom,” where much of his personality has gone into curating. Even with the new excess of “time to dedicate to certain things” like new activities and hobbies, Angers’ bedroom is still “the only place that’s really [his] place.”
What’s Next?
What Troy High School’s seniors are doing after graduation.
Rahaf Kishi // Staff Reporter
Senior Adam McManus is majoring in international business and business management at the University of South Carolina while he also studies Latin American culture. Adam will spend his second year studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. He’ll live with a host family while he gets his hands on experience he wanted along with living in an international environment. This opportunity will let him expand his understanding of Latin American culture. He is passionate about learning the intersection between business and culture, and how globalization can be used to bring the world closer within each other. McManus is excited to use these experiences he’ll gain to build businesses that not only are they strong, but culturally aware.
Kim clarifies that while he will “probably struggle” in adapting to a different state and independence, he is “excited to go out of
he prepares to graduate, but the positives of Murduff contends that after college, she aspires to “go somewhere different” and be city of Troy as an adult. She gram similar to “theater at Troy,” that she has been a
Angers maintains that he will gain during college growth” that “outweighs any
shouldn’t “be afraid of leaving [their] family for a short while, because [they’re] not going
Senior Alex Eichenlaub is majoring in nursing at Oakland Community College. She plans on getting two years of studies before entering a nursing program, so that she can earn her associate degree. Afterwards, she hopes to transfer to Oakland University to finish her bachelor’s degree. Aside from her major, her passion for performing on stage whether that’s involving theater or choir is something she wants to keep doing since these things have always been important to her. A goal of hers outside of college is to gain enough independence to move out by the time she gets her associates in nursing while also hoping to continue music.
Senior Robin Seo is majoring in physics with a focus on quantum field theory along with string theory at the University of California, Berkeley. He’s also going to pursue a double major in math and intends to take advantage of the college credits to get through core coursework. He hopes to begin graduate level classes by the time he’s in his second year. Robin is interested in theoretical physics and hopes to contribute research in that area. Not only is his goal to understand the universe at a fundamental level, but to also personally grow in a new environment. Outside of study, he’s excited to meet new people that are outside of Michigan and hopes to continue his interest in bowling.
Senior Aly Matuza is majoring in literature and creative writing at the University of Michigan. She’ll be a part of the Residential College within the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. Matuza plans on studying Spanish as her required foreign language. She hopes to publish her writing in the college’s literary magazine. Aside from her main goals, she wants to join a sorority and become its president. Outside of college, Matuza aspires to attend a law school and hopes to publish a No. 1 “New York Times” bestselling book.
Caps, Gowns and Wisdom
With graduation on the horizon, the seniors of Troy High School present their advice for underclassmen.
As the school year begins to end, seniors at Troy High School are eager to start a new chapter in their lives. However, as they prepare for what’s next, highschool will remain as a crucial period in their lives moving forward. Senior Jessica Duncan, has stepped forward to share her advice for underclassmen and incoming students at Troy High School. First thing’s first, Duncan notes, “Try to get involved in as many clubs as possible, don’t take everything so seriously but also try your best.” As many know, freshman year is a big step up from middle school, as student’s lives beyond highschool creep closer. Duncan recites advice she received as an underclassman from an upperclassman, “My friend told me to choose something I’m passionate about, not just for the money. That helped me choose my major.” Additionally, Duncan continues to recall the stress, pressure and challenges along the journey, but advises, “Prioritizing things that helped me such as sleep, nutrition and trying to stay off my phone as much as possible.”
Gabby Shaya // Staff Reporter
Similarly, senior Reece Lariviere confesses, “I forgot to take Government my junior year, so I’m taking it right now. I’d definitely say do Government and honestly do regular Government. AP Government is easy, but AP’s arent the end of the world not to do them, you’ll still get into the college you want, I got into the one I wanted.” As Lariviere confirmed, Advanced Placement classes aren’t a main priority. Freshmen and Sophomores may be overwhelmed by the classes Troy High School has to offer. Lariviere is quick to suggest, “I don’t regret taking a lot of fun classes because I got to meet a lot of new people. I would say don’t worry too much about the class picking process because you’ll end up taking every class that you need to take.” Reflecting on a consistent mindset that navigated him through out the school years, Lariviere responds, “For me it’s never that deep. Grades don’t define you. One bad grade isn’t going to ruin your life. You just keep on keeping
Although one may know their intentions after highschool, senior Irene Oh claims, “I explored different things and different clubs to see what I liked the most. Through that, I found out that I wanted to do Business because I came in thinking I was going to do Engineering. But because I joined DECA, it helped me realize what I really liked.” Adding on, Oh offers insight into how she maintained the demands of highschool, while still maintaining her mental health, “Running was my source of putting my energy into something more positive.” Joining sports not only may release any hard feelings, but of a new community. niors deliver their ascontinue to reflect they’ve learned, carever life takes them.
Troy High Yelp Reviews
Senior students’ opinions about their high school experience. Ameya Vaddamani // Staff Reporter
The credits roll and the title of the movie shows one last time: senior year. For some, they watched the show and left, while the seniors of the Troy High School Film Club stayed behind to celebrate what they made, and watch the behind the scenes. From student films, to making hype videos, film club has been everywhere without being on screen. And these seniors deserve their time in the spotlight, it’s time to flip the camera and admire the hard work these seniors put into what they made.
These three seniors have been behind the camera on every frame you see, yet their faces were rarely in the spotlight. The Troy High School film club spends so much time telling other stories, showing other people’s
Final Cut
Seniors reflect on their time in film club. Kennedy Mills // Staff Reporter
emotions and capturing the milestones of other characters. But their story is also worth telling. “It kinda opened doors in different clubs for me, because I was able to talk to different leaders and different clubs and I kinda helped them out with their clubs as well as them helping out with my club,” says the current president of the film club, Anasofia Hernandez Gomez.
Kim, covice pres ident, has been in film club since sopho more year, “well both of my
friends were in it, Michael Zheng and Anasofia have been in the club since freshman year. And I attended a couple of meetings but I wasn’t really in the club until my sophomore year and started attending meetings regularly.” Kim animated the logo for the club during her sophomore year. “It was the beginning of introducing not just camera work into the club. So we did that and then we
through video media, so we did stop motion, did a little bit of animation.”
other like ing
The other co-vice president, Micheal Zheng, said film club got him more into camera work. “At the time I wasn’t super into it, because I had inherited some photography stuff from my grandpa, but I didn’t really know how to use it.” Zheng says he joined because of other people in the club at the time. “But I joined be cause I had there. And gradu started more and like
Conviction on Canvas
sistently served as a source of encouragement, and who has placed her into various art class-
Povirk loves to experiment with mixed media, but primarily specializes in ceramics and acrylic paint. She recently dabbled in embroidery, particularly on canvas, which she described as fulfilling, yet incredibly time-consuming and painful. She recounts spending over a hundred hours on simply one embroidered work.
“Threaded Illusions,” Povirk’s favorite original piece that was recently spotlighted in the display case in Troy High School’s art hallway, portrayed an embroidered painting of a heart on canvas.
Her heart truly finds peace, however, with ceramics and sculpture, which
she expresses as competitive yet satisfying. Beyond these mediums, Povirk expresses extreme distaste for watercolor. “I feel like gauche is better for the same look but a little easier to use. I just don’t like all the water, it just makes all the paper crumple up.”
Povirk initially began classes at an art center in Bloomfield, learning with her grandpa and aunts. As she grew older, she began to utilize dual enrollment studies such as a three-week summer course and a pre-college
program. Through these opportunities, she had access to a drawing studio, clay, metals and learned to design multi-dimensional pieces. Over time, she earned numerous gold keys through scholastic awards, in addition
to a nationally recognized silver medal won earlier this year.
Povirk has committed to the University of Michigan, where
whole instagram is completely just film and photography stuff.” The three seniors agree that film club is an amazing extracurricular option for students at Troy High School. “Film club I think is a really great opportunity for you to get into film, and not just film but like any kind of like digital media, like we do photography, we do animation and like all kinds of stuff,” says Zheng.
As the three wrap up their time at Troy high School it is clear they enjoyed the time they had in the film club. Being behind the camera and editing the stories of other characters. Through their years in the club there were many more memories and friends made along with the projects they had.
she aims to obtain a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and if necessary, earn a certification to work in 3D car modeling. In the near future, she also hopes to try StopMotion, a relatively unconventional art form.
In response to the many young artists who often decide their projects based on others’ opinions or winning awards, Povirk advises embracing personal experiences and desires. Naturally, admirable results will follow. She also emphasizes the importance of experimentation. “You might find something that you didn’t think you would like but then you end up really loving it.”
”I think I’m just a happy person. I do what I can, I try my best,” she states. In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, Povirk refuses to undermine creativity and remains thriving in passion and artistic originality.
A feature on Elan Povirk and her evolution as a growing artist. Arya Shah // Staff Reporter
“Threaded Illusions”, photo courtesy of Elan Povirk
Painting the Past Forward
Senior artist Gayatri Aundhkar draws on Indian tradition to inspire new stories. Leah Edwards //
For senior artist Gayatri Aundhkar, every brushstroke is a conversation between the past and the future. Through vibrant mixed-media pieces, she brings overlooked Indian traditions back into focus.
“My art is very rooted in India,” she says. “I like combining forgotten traditional styles with modern techniques to create something unique.”
Aundhkar uses art to preserve and reinterpret the stories by blending paint, textiles, clay, and sewn fabric, often drawing from historical and everyday traditions. Her work is in color, texture, and cultural meaning. Aundhkar’s drive for art is reviving overlooked Indian art forms, especially those rooted in everyday storytelling.
“Pottery, for example, was historically used not just for function, but for storytelling. I’ve tried to recreate that,
Administered
by
Grace Haugk // Body Copy Editor
translating those textures and shapes into paint-based forms,” she explains.
While her work draws heavily on the past, she uses tradition to create conversations. She’s redesigned classic games like Tic Tac Toe and Monopoly with Indian mythology and cultural aesthetics, offering a new meaning.
“It’s about inviting people into the story, using something familiar to share something they might not know,” she says. “A lot of our traditions are slowly fading,” Aundhkar notes. “I want to bring them back, not just copy them, but give them new life.” This drive for cultural preservation is central to her work.
One of her proudest pieces is a 3 by 4 royal seal of two kings from Maharashtra, layered with historical symbolism.
Staff Reporter
“It was my first large piece,” Aundhkar recalls. “I sewed fabric, added gems and pushed myself to try new things. I learned a lot through that piece.”
Reflecting on her journey, she says, “At first, it was more like what you’d do in school. But now, I’m using it to talk about identity, history and tradition in a way that speaks to others.”
Although painting remains her main focus, Aundhkar is exploring digital tools as she prepares for a future in animation and character design.
“I want to bring stories to life, create characters from scripts, and make them feel real.”
Whether through clay or a digital canvas, Aundhkar is shaping a new story, blending the history of her culture with the possibilities of modern art. As she con-
tinues to evolve as an artist, her work serves as both a tribute to the traditions, and ensures these stories are preserved for generations.
Book Madness
A look into how to become a super reader. Henry McBrien // Publications Editor
When it comes to read- books by Alice Oseman, saying “Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie because it was a “really heartfelt story about interpersonal relationships and seeing how [the main character] reacts to people around her, that was fun to see. I think that a lot of people would enjoy it.”
Outside of recreational reading, she also participates in yearly Battle of the Books trivia contests, having won contests since sophomore year. But she doesn’t just participate herself. She helps run a large team that has been winning “every year since sophomore year, we’ll see
what happens this year.” She helps out with book assignments, preparation, and coordination. “If you ever walk past the large trophy in the media center, that’s how we got it.”
She explains that, trophy aside, “it’s rewarding to work with everyone on the team.” Sesharda invites others to join the school’s Battle of the Books team.
When asked to give advice to younger readers, she said that “just find time to read. Instead of pulling out your phone during passing time, just read.”
If you’re strapped for time,
she said that “you can try breaking up a book into a few smaller pages, and just finding time to read in the car, on the bus, at practice, anytime you can, that’s the way to do it.”
Sesharda explains that reading shouldn’t be daunting, either. It’s “all about finding a balance between what you find comfortable, pushing your comfort zone, and, most importantly, actually enjoying the book your reading. It’s about learning and being entertained.”
SENIOR ISSUE
Senior Commits
Mehereen Kaur // Business Editor and Public Relations Editor
Serving up History
Ivana Thuruthel // Staff Reporter
Troy High School’s first Boys Volleyball Team sets the stage.
The thumping sound of sneakers on hardwood now echoes from the Troy High School gym for a new reason. The school’s first ever Boy’s Volleyball Team has officially taken the court this spring. The team, after years of advocacy from the Troy High School Volleyball Club, signals a milestone that started as a student initiative, which has now successfully grown into a fully fledged varsity team. “It’s actually crazy how I got in,” junior Amrit Krishna said. “I started jumping in the locker room. That’s how happy I was.” The formation of the team, however, did not happen overnight. For the past few years, the members of the volleyball club had talked about a team.
The idea of officially starting one, has been floating around for a while now. This year, that same passion and energy, driven by the senior board members, Faris Abulaban, Arya Santhosh Kumar, Jason Cui, Luke Kim and Lilly Martin, turned into a well coordinated effort to make it happen.
Sophomore Pranav Dsilva also mentioned the larger group of volleyball club board members that helped with the process of creating the team. “They got it going,” said Dsilva. The junior board members also played a key role in keeping the club active, recruiting new members and increasing participation. These actions by the board and members of the club, helped show much student interest
High School. “We had to have enough student participants, we had to get recommendations and we had to wait for a coach,” said freshman Darshith Geepalem. The wait for the team to get a coach was long, but eventually, the school found Coach Jack Kitchner, who brought both experience and enthusiasm to the team. “Thrilled would be one word,” Kitchener said. “I’ve wanted to get a boys
and stamina training,” Dsilva said. “Second day was focused more on techniques while playing and the last day was scrimmages in a more competitive environment against each other.” Each day was a different set of trials where the coaches were better able to understand what type of players each person was and what skills they brought to the team. Kumar also stated that the tryouts were
part of the team has helped me make more friends,” while Geepalem said that he has noticed a “growth in team communication and strategy.” Kitchener has also expressed his happiness and satisfaction with the team. “ We’re just going to keep grinding from here.”
to the school administration.
“This year is our senior year and we really just wanted one more chance to play before we go to college,” said Abulaban. “Most colleges don’t have a men’s team, or they’re super competitive. We wanted to play before it was too late.”
Still, there were many logistical hurdles. Such as waiting for the administration to approve the team and “waiting for them to find a coach,” said Abulaban. In the previous years, the students would go to Avondale High School and play with their team and attend practice in an informal manner. Highlighting and giving more emphasis to the demand and necessity for a boy’s team at Troy
volleyball team going since I was in high school and I’m very excited to finally be able to build this up here.”
The tryout process lasted three days. When asked about what they were looking for during tryouts, Kitchener responded saying, “As much as we looked for skill and playing adaptation, we also looked for attitude on and off the court.”
A good attitude can take you a long way when playing a sport. “The first day was drills
held in a way that “everyone got a chance to show their skills and that it was a fair process.”
Despite the nerves and the competitiveness, the players all said that the atmosphere during tryouts was very encouraging.
The team is now well into their first ever competitive season, and the early practices have already helped build up the teams chemistry and confidence. Krishna said that “being a
The seniors, while aware that their time on the court may be limited, have already succeeded in something bigger than just their final season. They’ve created a foundation for years to come. “This has to be permanent,” said Dsilva. “The seniors really did something amazing.” Kitchner hopes to lead the program into the future, but he’s quick to acknowledge the group that made it all possible. “This is only the beginning,” Kitchner said. “Let’s keep it going.”
With regionals in sight and ambitions growing, the seniors have done more than just secure a season. They’ve written the first chapter of a story that future players will continue. For them, seeing the team come together wasn’t just a personal goal, it was about leaving behind a lasting impact.
A legacy built not just on spikes and serve but on vision, leadership, and determination.
This year Troy High School will send two of its graduating seniors to play football at Grand Valley State University, a Division II school. Through their hard work and help with the Troy High School football coaches they had been able to be a part of the slim 7% of high school athletes pursuing football in college. On the even smaller chance, the two seniors, Noah Oury and Lucas Tic, have the same landing spot. Both players had started playing football rather early on, Oury and Tic had both started playing in middle school. In contrast, they had slightly different times when football became a priority for them. Oury had admitted to getting serious about football during freshman year because
United in Blue
Noah Oury and Lucas Tic take their next step as Lakers at Grand Valley State. Roberto Nicolas-Pina // Staff Reporter
“that whole high school football environment that I really fell in love with, I just love playing football and Friday nights.” For Tic, during his sophomore year, he had began to prioritize high school football with a sense of responsibility .
“I realized I could get my college paid for and put a financial burden off my parents.”
The coaches at Troy High School had also played a large part in their success and transition to the next level of their football careers. Oury had shared that the coaches “always had the weight room open for me after school, and overall
encouraging me to achieve my dreams.” Tic also talks about how easy their coaches were to talk to by explaining that, “I have both their phone numbers Coach Frasier, Coach Black, who’s the offensive line coach.” Their coaches had been extremely helpful through their availability
and encouragement, pushing them both in preparation for college.
The perspective moving forward that Oury shares is that, “I love my Troy High community, but I’m really just ready to meet new people in college [and] make new friends.” Both showing an appreciation for their high school experience at Troy High School, but valuing the idea of moving on. Oury admits, “It’s great to have Lucas there so I always have someone to talk to.”
Pushing Limits
They both are thankful for the opportunity of having someone familiar in their new destination, but both agree that, “It’s cool to have a familiar face,”
Ava Fleming, Troy High School’s division 1-bound athlete
Lexi
Benedict // Staff Reporter
In an impressive display of talent and tenacity, senior Ava Fleming prepares for what will be a life changing chapter in her life. She’s set to play division 1 soccer at Loyola University. Ava’s journey began with a single pair of cleats at age five, she knew that soccer would be her passion.
Growing up Ava started playing soccer primarily just for the friendships that came with it, the thrill of making new connections and sharing experiences on and off the field. However, as she grew up she started to get more serious. “ I remember freshman year, that’s when I started getting more serious about it, that’s when I decided I wanted to play in college” Ava recalls. This determination changed
her approach, motivating her to improve her skills through dedicated training.
As she started to progress in club soccer her dedication became clear. She experienced endless hours of practice, “ I would have practice Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, on Tuesday I would have strength training then on Thursday I would have technical training and I had a game every weekend.”
Following club season into high school season, Ava carried the lessons learned at club with her. The training schedule took on new challenges and intensity, allowing Ava to improve her skills further. “For high school, I had practice every single day and then games around two
to three times a week, so it’s definitely long,” explains Ava.
Ava’s growth has not only been individual but has also showcased her leadership qualities. Teammate Jane Lennon shares, “it was a really important game, and it was going into double overtime and we just weren’t doing very well. Everyone was kind of crying and their heads were down and she was the one that was like ‘guys it’s not over yet, we’re still in it,’” highlighting her commitment to make the team dynamic stronger.
The friendships formed through soccer have became a foundation of Ava’s experience: “You can’t play a soccer game by yourself, so it’s really important that you have a good relationship with the
Oury said, “but at the end of the day we both have our own things to go and strive for.”
When they arrive at college their goals are already set in stone. Even with the difficulty of making an impact, Oury emphasized, “I just want to help the team in whatever way possible.” They both acknowledge that starting anew in a college environment makes it tough to contribute, but they want to “try to make as big an impact even as hard as it is to make an impact on a college team as a freshman.” Even with the difficulty the next level of the sport presents, Tic’s continuous goal is to, “be ready to play with grown men, get my size up and hopefully get some playing time.”
girls that you’re playing with all the time.” Ava said, reflecting on the good relationships that have developed both on and off the field. For Ava soccer goes beyond just competition; it represents teamwork and personal growth.
As she prepares to start her college soccer career at Loyola, Ava Fleming carries with her an impressive skill set, important leadership experience, and lasting friendships, with hopes of making a significant impact at this new level of soccer. The future looks promising for this dedicated athlete, who is ready to embrace the challenges that lie and in the sport she loves.
Photo courtesy of Ava Fleming.
