REMINISCE: Our senior staff writers and editors reflect on their time spent on the Spotlight team.
It’s that time of the year again. Graduation is just a few weeks away, and our last edition of the year is published. There is nothing left to do except to say goodbye. It is sad, sure, but all of our senior staff are off to amazing things in the future. With that, it is time for our seniors to speak for themselves. Each one of us has written a letter to say goodbye to Poly, reflect on Spotlight, and reminisce about their favorite moments during the last four years. Without further ado, let’s get into the senior letters!
Owen Weems
It is with a bittersweet acceptance, that I hang up my high school journalist cap and write for the Poly Spotlight one final time.
The last four years of my life have been eye-opening to say the least. From the first day of freshman year to the last second, receiving my diploma, every event, every moment, has been transformative to me, meticulously shaping me into the person I am today. I came in to high school with one goal in mind, to be “the best.” I have always been competitive, diving head first into academics and more commitments than I had time for to achieve this vague notion that I could somehow be “the best.” While that competitive spirit has not gone away, it has been shaped into something more positive. From every class I have sat through and every high school activity I took part in, I realized that life isn’t defined by competition, your quality of life is determined by following a path that makes you happy. With this frameworked fixed, I have come to realize that education comes from understanding, not from the grades. If you understand the materials and your peers, the nominal and numerical achievements will come as a result.
This approach has been overwhelmingly beneficial to my approach to extracurriculars and the classroom environment. I have loved class not where I have gotten the highest grades, but where I have had a chance to discuss with others and truly learned from my teachers. Classes like Mrs. Yeyna’s AP Lang or Mr. Zlaket’s AP Art History class, we have debated pressing issues, honing my skills as a result of the discussions we had. While I didn’t always agree with everyone, facing those new perspectives was amazing, giving me new ways to think about the world. Still, I am grateful to each and every one of my teachers for every moment of work they put in to make Poly High School the community that I have loved. Despite there sometimes being brawls on campus and the concrete becoming more of an oven on a hot August day, there is nothing I would have changed about my experiences here.
In a similar way Spotlight has become one of my favorite activities. Journalism isn’t a competition with anyone except themselves. More than anything, journalism is a form of exploration. In Spotlight, I have had a chance to connect with my community through the interviews I conducted and the people I talked to. I never imagined I would have fun writing a sports article, but when I got down to interviewing coaches and players, I found there was joy in something that I found to be boring on the outside. And that’s because the stories behind something, the people’s experiences, makes it all worth while. Features were fun, but writing opinion pieces was equally as enjoyable. To put my thoughts to paper was, in my opinion, the best part of being on the Poly Spotlight team. And in my work as an Editor, I learned leadership and the importance of staying on top of your work. It isn’t easy editing all those articles and keeping up with the editions.
Finally I want to thank Mrs. Yeyna for everything she has done as a mentor and club counselor. From the beginning of junior year, she has been an amazing leader in the Spotlight crew, being both instructive and letting the students take the lead. It has been great working along side her the past couple of years.
Now, with everything I have learned, I will be heading off to Columbia University this fall to study Human Rights. I am beyond excited to explore the city and hopefully continue the discourse I have joined at Poly. With that being said, this is Owen signing off.
Isaac Julian
One of the most cliché and honestly useless pieces of advice I could give to any underclassman is this: “Cherish every moment before it’s over.” You’ve definitely heard that dozens of times already, and, like I did, you’ll probably shrug it off. People told me the same thing again and again, but you don’t really get it until you’ve lived it. After four years, I finally understand what they meant.
Stepping onto the Poly campus for the first time was a weird milestone. Part of me was excited to leave behind the small, boring world of middle school, but another part had no idea what came next. High school is supposed to be the final stepping stone before a higher education… but I didn’t have a clue about any of that. So I just stuck to what I knew, which was to keep up with my grades without bothering with the other stuff on campus.
After a year or two, people started saying I needed extracurriculars to be competitive for college. So I joined a few clubs, mostly just to boost my application. But along the way, I ended up meeting people and picking up skills that became a real part of who I am. Mock Trial shaped so much of my work ethic and introduced me to some of the best people I’ve ever met. Amnesty International opened my eyes to how many people are willing to fight for change. And, of course, Poly Spotlight helped me connect with our school and city in a way nothing else really did.
What I’ll remember most, though, are the role models I found all over Poly. Whether it’s a teacher with an amazing life story, an upperclassman who seemed like they had it all figured out, or even a substitute teacher from a random class last week. Poly is full of these amazing people, and I honestly hope I turn out kinda like them.
Next year, I’ll be pursuing a bachelor’s at UC Berkeley in chemistry, and I’m honestly more excited than I have been in some time. I have no idea what the future holds, but I trust myself and everything I’ve learned from twelve long years of school. As ready as I am to move on, Poly will always have my thanks.
Alina Gomez
As the class of 2025 stands on the edge of graduation, it’s difficult to wrap our heads around on how quickly these four years went by. My name is Alina Gomez, I am a 17 year-old senior and my high school experience here at Poly has become so much more than just a place to learn. I’ve met so many people and made unforgettable memories that have helped shape me and grow into the person I am today. As a kid I always found such a passion in writing, whether it was short stories or little songs I would love to make up. There was something so comforting about stories and I’d imagine that one day I could find my voice through writing. I joined the Poly Spotlight my sophomore year and in these past three years of being on the newspaper it’s given me more than just a creative outlet but it’s helped me to build and develop social skills in a way where I am able to connect better with others. I have been a staff writer for three years now and as this year is coming to an end it’s difficult to grasp the fact that it is also my last. I have loved writing for the Spotlight and will always remember the morning conversations and debriefs of our articles and friends I’ve made along the way as well the new members who have joined that I was able to get to know better. Throughout my high school experience I have realized that the people we surround ourselves with will impact us in so many ways. I’ve learned lessons and matured in many friendships that I’ve carried with me as each school year went by. That would be the biggest piece of advice that I could give to any person, surround yourself with people who want the best for you and allow and accept you for who you are. As I get ready to leave school I think back to the things I’ll miss dearly such as the relationships i’ve made with my peers and teachers.
After graduation I plan on attending Riverside Community College for 2 years and later on transferring to Arizona Christian University, I am majoring in journalism and a minor in marketing. My ambition is to write about experiences and meet interesting people. I would love to make a living managing social media content for organizations and improving advertising for other large platforms. The anticipation of seeing what is in store for the future excites me yet I am hesitant as well, everything will work out in the end as we should all just take it one day at a time.
Aubrey Packer
I was leaving AP Lang during the first semester of my junior year when Ms. Yeyna called me back inside. I was convinced I had done something catastrophic. It was quite the opposite. She invited me to come to Spotlight and give it a shot. I didn’t know what to say. I had grown accustomed to public speaking through Mock Trial but I was terrified of the thought of sharing my written words with anyone other than a teacher. I couldn’t imagine letting my classmates criticize what I wrote, let alone share it with the entire school. But I did it anyway and it was one of the best decisions I made during high school.
During my time at Poly I participated in several clubs but nothing quite like Spotlight. I met athletes through sports medicine and soccer, and intellectuals through mock trial and in my classes. Spotlight, however, gave me an entirely new perspective. I got to interview and write articles about some of the most impressive people in school. I got to learn about the amazing things Poly’s students do that I never knew about. I got to interact with people of all different interests and backgrounds. Most importantly, I found a different kind of voice. I learned to share my thoughts with the Poly community through something other than the spoken word. I am forever grateful that Spotlight gave me that opportunity.
I will be attending Berkeley in the fall where I will major in history. I hope to one day move on to law school and pursue a career as a prosecutor – my favorite mock trial role. I will leave behind so many great memories. It took me a while to find my place here but now that I have I’ll miss the places like Spotlight and Mock Trial, where I found my passions and the friendships I’ve made throughout my time as a bear. I will cherish the experiences I’ve had, the expected, and some like Spotlight, catching me by surprise.
Connor Julian
Hi, my name is CJ Julian. I am a senior, and I’ve been on Poly Spotlight for a year (and a day…), as well as many different sports and clubs here on campus. Here on Spotlight, I have been a dedicated video producer for various editions. I have created a series called “Access Polywood” that has captured many timeless moments, from the football team victories, float building chaos, and the happenings of the many random students on campus. On top of videos, I have helped my fellow editors write some creative articles—from satire articles to opinion pieces. On top of producing for Spotlight, I have played tennis for three years, been a part of National Honor Society for two, and various other clubs.
One thing I will miss from my Poly High School is the memories I have made with my best friends, on and off campus, particularly with the goats Jon Viene and Owen Weems. Some things I will definitely NOT miss are the awful two-lunch schedule and having five billion different bell schedules. And the countless fights. And the long 7:30 am to 3:20 pm days.
Next year, I am attending University of California, Los Angeles majoring in electrical engineering and minoring in music industry. I plan to apply my STEM experience to the music space, eventually hoping to work for virtual instrument companies that design software and hardware for musicians. Even though I will still be a bruin bear, at heart, I will always be a Poly bear.
Thank you to my friends, family and everyone who has helped me through this high school journey. I am very grateful for you all, and I will remember these last 4 years for the rest of my life.
Delaney Cordes
Hi! I’m Delaney! I’m a Senior at Poly High School, and am weeks away from graduating (the most exciting and scariest thing ever). High school has been filled with a lot of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I’ve had some pretty amazing experiences during the last four years that I’ll hold onto and take with me as “the next” becomes “now.” I’ve had the ability to have my dad as my Freshman English teacher, create amazing friendships through different classes or the mixing of friend groups, attend fun sporting events and dances, and so much more. I will 100% miss the multitude of people that I have spent many lunches talking to, walked to class with, stood alongside in the student section, and hungout with in cars before the start of school. So many memories were made and I’m so thankful for every one.
Even though high school is ending, I’m excited for what is to come. Deciding on what the future looks like has actually been more challenging and stressful than I thought it would be. I originally had grand plans of attending a university out of state or somewhere that wasn’t Riverside in the slightest (very far away), but things changed for the better. I’m actually attending California Baptist University this fall while double majoring in Exercise Science and Creative Writing in hopes of one day becoming a Physical Therapist or Personal Trainer with a side hobby of writing.
My decision to major in Creative Writing actually came from my love of writing articles for Spotlight and personal narrative essays in Mrs. Yeyna’s AP Lang Class. I’ve been able to see what my writing strengths and gifts are, but also improve what I struggle with, and learn to grow in what I love most.
I’ve been a part of Spotlight for two years, joining at the start of my Junior year. It has been one of the highlights of high school because it’s so interesting getting to pick a topic, event, or sport, and then spend two weeks diving into that world and covering it; educating yourself about all that there is to offer. Besides writing, this class has also provided the opportunity to grow in friendships. Even though Spotlight is a zero period class, it’s fun to spend 45 minutes before school twice a week hanging out with people who share similar interests and have a passion for writing just as I do.
As sad as I am to be leaving Poly and all that high school provided, I’m looking forward to what is to come and new memories I can make. So, peace out Poly and farewell Spotlight! You will be missed!
Reagan Metzger
Over my time spent at Poly, I had the privilege of photographing students within sports, clubs, activities, events, and more. There was something truly special about going home each night, opening my computer to edit, and scrolling through the hundreds of photos that I’d capture. I grew familiar with the class of 2025 through my lens – the poses, the smiles, the hugs. I wanted more than anything to understand our stories and portray them in timeless mediums. I was often asked “What is your favorite thing to take photos of?” The question felt impossible to answer because there wasn’t just “one” thing. However, after a lot of careful thought, I can affirm that the best thing to capture was the love. Within relationships, friendships, and groups that brought us comfort within the most uncomfortable years of our lives. Whether or not you had falling outs, breakups, or just grew apart, it’s important to acknowledge that at one point or another we were all a part of each other’s story. Interlinked within journeys and development to shape who we are today.
There were so many times that I was told “High school goes by so fast, the four years fly by.” I respectfully must disagree with this statement, they were the longest years of my life. But upon returning from this past winter break, I noticed that the days went by quicker. The time spent with my friends felt much shorter and the month of May came way too quick. I took advantage of being present rather than worrying about things that plague almost every teenager’s mind. What do they think of me? Am I doing good enough? Do they like me? Poet, Beau Taplin, puts it simple “Self love is an ocean and your heart is a vessel. Make it full, and any excess will spill over into the lives of the people you hold dear. But you must come first.” These past months have been stressful with the realities of adulthood on the horizon ensuring inevitable change, but I have witnessed profound love and adoration among my classmates. The truth is that hospital walls have heard more honest prayers than churches, airports have witnessed more sincere kisses than wedding halls. The flaw in this conclusion is clear: Love is felt most when love is leaving.
Photos have this remarkable power to emotionally take us back to any instance or memory. To quote from Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, “Love is the one thing that we are capable of perceiving that transcends time and space. Maybe we should trust that, even if we can’t understand it.” As much as I know that we look back on the multitudes of images from our days of youth and glory, I hope that we spend our years growing in joy, relationships, and experiences. One day the photos won’t matter, the Poly T-shirts will grow old, our awards and keepsakes will gather dust on shelves or in boxes. But you’ll remember how it felt to yell for the football team in the student sections, go to the plaza with your friends, eat lunch with your classmates… How it felt to turn sixteen, then seventeen, and to have the world at your feet. Go get rich, hold your relationships close, see the world, live for every moment, kiss that someone, take risks, fail, and try again- but as you do, remember that wherever you go, go in the direction of love.
As for college, I will be attending California Baptist University this fall. I am not entirely sure what I am going to study. I spent so much time with my camera, I’ll likely be putting it down and away for this next season of my life. And quite honestly, that sounds freeing. Regardless of where I end up or what I’m doing, I plan to work hard and surround myself with great people. It is all in God’s hands and the peace I have within that surpasses all understanding that I may ever need.
Sakura Snyder
I still clearly remember the chaotic state that I was in as I came into Poly my freshman year. With my awkwardly shaped haircut, strangely detailed tropical shorts, and anxiously uptight nature, it was safe to say that I was still, internally, a middle-schooler. As I thought about all of the different things that could go astray in that moment, the nervousness that coursed through my head overwhelmed me.
However, as time passed, and I made unexpected friendships and connections with the people around me, I realized that high school wasn’t so scary after all. Although the classes were sometimes tedious, I found myself enjoying seeing my studying efforts pay off. I also began playing lacrosse in my sophomore year, which had a huge impact on how actively engaged I was on campus. Most of all, I fondly recall co-founding Poly’s very own Asian Student Union (ASU), which led to an array of different fun events and activities that I was able to organize and be a part of. In this way, I felt increasingly more connected to my community. It is an accomplishment that I am incredibly proud of to this day.
Spotlight was an activity that I was consistently active in throughout these years. Besides writing the actual articles, one aspect of this activity that I enjoyed was interviewing a vast diversity of people. By highlighting the different clubs, sports, and news that were available on campus, I was able to meet different students and learn about their ever changing experiences. Although I will most likely not further pursue a career in journalism, my time spent in Spotlight will never be forgotten, as it was one of the core memories that made up a part of my stay at Poly.
After high school, I am planning on entering a four-year UC, where I will major in chemistry. I hope to eventually pursue a career in the medical field and continue to expand the ways in which I can give back to the people that surround me.
If I were to give any advice to any current underclassman, it would be this: get as involved as you can on campus, whether that be starting up a club of your own liking or signing up for a new activity. The people that you will meet and the experiences that you have will be irreplaceable, as nobody can take these memories away from you. Being any part of a positive impact to your community—whether small or big—is something that is truly irreplaceable.
Jonathan Viene
To whom it may concern,
My name is Jonathan Viene, and after four years here, I’ve done it: I’ve SUCCESSFULLY fulfilled my California A-G requirements. I know I know, impressive. I’d like to thank my mother, my father, Principal Hansen, the lunch ladies, Coach Jay (the best campus supervisor), and Edith in the front office (for the many times I signed myself out of class), I couldn’t have done it without you all. I, for one, feel like a real adult now—educated and workforce-ready!
The fluorescent ‘charm’ of crowded hallways. The hit-or-miss but always dry chicken sandwich from the cafeteria. The corny school dances’ overconfident DJ. The resilient student section and the usually-down football team. The vape-induced false alarms amplifying annoyance under the sweltering SoCal sun. What won’t there be to miss about Poly High?
There will always be a special place in my heart for the many memories and people enclosed by these brick walls that were truly formative for me. It is my privilege to come to this class every day with some of my best friends—Owen, Isaac, and CJ—who’ve made writing for the school newspaper worth leaving home at 7:20 for. Teachers like Mr. Zlaket, Mr. Schiller, and Mrs. Yeyna have a remarkable ability to exude their own passion for the material others make feel monotonous, in a way that ignites a love for learning in their pupils like me, and I cannot thank them enough. And because of clubs like ASB, Amnesty International, and Mock Trial, I was able to grow out of the shell I had existed in for most of my life and explore my many passions, stemming far beyond the scope of the classroom.
Truthfully, if you’re like me, you probably didn’t love every second of high school or even most of it. And that’s okay. It’s easy and completely understandable to want more when you’re here. As a freshman I always looked ahead, but never in front of me. I wondered what it would be like next semester, next year, next person, next age, next chapter… when life would finally be how I imagined. I looked so far in my idealized future that I often forgot who I was supposed to be unidealized now.
I believe, above all, that the most important subject you’ll learn about in high school is yourself. It is okay not to know completely who you are, and in my opinion, you never fully should. But isn’t it always worth discovering?
When you detach yourself from the present in high school and place yourself above it all, you miss out on the most valuable opportunities for self-discovery there are: when you have no idea what’s going on and don’t really want to be there.
It was only after I put myself out there—when I was most uncomfortable, when I didn’t know who I was—that I felt myself change, and for the better. I like to think that I was a completely different person each year of high school, molded uniquely by the people I met and the experiences I chose—which I’d like to think means I was doing it right.
So my advice to you is to try it all, you owe it to yourself. You are NOT above it all.
At Brown University, I’ll undoubtedly be on to bigger and better (and likely more glamorous) pursuits. However, it will be the cheesy, corny, unglamorous days at Poly High that I’ll look back upon fondly, as these have shaped the man I’ll have become.
Despite the many learning curves a high school experience can bring with it, high school is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, for better or for worse. Embrace it for what it is while you can.
That’s all I have for now. See ya now and then!