By Nate Firetag, Staff Writer
Poly’s Junior Varsity Water Polo team gained thousands of views on their new Instagram account, which is not associated with the school, before being banned.
In 1504, Michelangelo finished his masterpiece, The David. In 1907, Picasso painted the first piece of cubist art, Les Desmoiselles of d’Avignon. In 2026, Poly’s junior varsity water polo team formed the Instagram account, Water Polo JV Warriors.
The first video was posted in the beginning of September. It features Christian McIntosh, Charles Schiffer, Nick Wheeler, and Benjamin Schiffer, and is titled, “Every Friend Group Has These Four People.” Each member takes a turn stepping towards the camera, “The Fighter” is C. Schiffer, “The Jokester” is Wheeler, “The Lover” McIntosh, and “The Dancer” B. Schiffer. Shockingly, and to the detriment of art and culture itself, the video garnered 6,000 views.
The account posted many other comedic videos. In one, McIntosh pretended to be a stray cat, meowing and purring at the camera as he was pet. Over 4,000 people saw, and presumably judged, the video.
In another near cinematic experience, Charles Schiffer parodied the 2026 film, Obsession. He held a One Wish Willow, which can grant a wish after being broken. C. Schiffer broke the willow, and wished for his team to be “the best JV water polo team ever.” The text read, “Error. Already the best water polo team.”
At their peak, the most popular video received 14,000 views. It introduced the “JV warriors,” each athlete taking turns introducing themselves with a dance move.
Those familiar may be reminded of Joshua Holz and Daniel Lara. These Poly Alumni filmed the viral meme, “Damn Daniel” in 2016. “Perhaps”, students wondered, “are we about to witness a Renaissance of Poly memes spearheaded by the JV water polo team?”
The cruel winds of fate had other plans.
In 1934, a panel from the Ghent Alter piece was stolen. In 2019, Gothic masterpiece, Notre Dame burned down. In 2026, the JVWP account was banned.
According to the team, the account was suspended without warning from Instagram. Like a thief in the night, the priceless media was stolen from the world.
This article is the only remaining public archive of the team’s videos, a modern day Library of Alexandria.
Charles Schiffer, a member of the team, reflects, “I feel deeply saddened and I have lack of motivation. It brought our team together, and now it’s gone.”
Despite these setbacks, JV Water Polo has done considerably well this season. They currently have a win to lose streak of 15:2.
This account was a vital part of the team. “I think that [the instagram account] has helped us bond, and it has helped us create new connections between ourselves and make friends at other schools, too,” says team captain, Benjamin Schiffer.
What will happen to this team, which B. Schiffer calls a family, when their creative outlet is taken away? What will happen to this school when our laughter is taken away?
Are students to lament for the rest of their lives, missing one of the greatest contributions to the modern world?
Nay.
Posting yourself, especially in a comedic context, can be embarrassing. Yet, B. Schiffer doesn’t experience it that way. “YOLO, you know? If something makes you happy, then you should do it.”
C. Schiffer complained, “All of this work, and now it’s gone…”
Yet, the importance of the account is not in the reels or “the work,” but in the lessons it teaches the Poly student body. The Warriors show us how to be weird, how to be unserious, and how to be truly yourself while confidently holding your head up high.
Long live the Water Polo JV Warriors!