Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: Part 3- Leyli Beims

Our family picture

 

              

Here at CHS, I’m basically known as one-third of a trio. Most people can’t even think of me without Courtney Monzon and Cody Schmitz also popping into their head. We’ve known each other our entire lives and been best friends since eighth grade. I’ve never gone so much as three days without at least talking to both of them. However, everything’s about to change.

            We’re all going off to different colleges next year, which means that we will go months without seeing each other. Yeah, I said months. And what’s worse is that when we do get together, none of us will know exactly who or what the other is talking about because for the first time in our lives we won’t have had the same experiences. I can’t even imagine going through my day without Cody and Courtney by my side. Many of our conversations are just us talking about what happened that day, whether it was funny, irritating, weird, etc. But the best we’ll be able to do next year is describe a person who drives us crazy or tell a story about some hilarious situation we were in, which just won’t be the same.

            Probably the thing that we share the most is our sense of humor. We have a ridiculously specific sense of humor, and nobody can possibly comprehend the vast amount of inside jokes we have (like the 17-year-old who think she’s really old, the singers who think that every time the audience applauds they want an encore so they have to keep coming up with songs, our radio talk show “Happy Talk” where we don’t understand that we aren’t on TV and our “viewers” can’t see us, etc. – and don’t even get me started on microphones). It’s going to be so weird next year when something hilarious happens and I have no one to share a look with, no one to laugh uproariously with about it afterwards. Seriously, when we get together we enter our own world of stupid jokes that we find ridiculously hilarious. Other people cease to exist, and we don’t care how inappropriately loud we get or who we’re disturbing or annoying. For example, we were once at Heavy’s and we were having the single most inappropriate conversation a group of people can have, but did we attempt to keep our voices down? Anybody who’s ever been around us when we get deep into a conversation knows that no, we didn’t even try to speak quietly. When I’m with them I tend to forget that the people around us have the ability to hear. I won’t have that next year, and that makes me sad.

            I’m reading back over this and am completely disappointed with it, but I guess there’s no way to say everything there is to say about Courtney and Cody and what I’ll miss about them next year, so this’ll have to do. Although we won’t be physically close, I’m not worried about losing my two best friends. We have a connection that I don’t have with anybody else on the planet, and I know that I’ll never have the same kind of relationship that I have with those two.  Yes, we’ll all find new best friends next year. Yes, we’ll all experience new things and inevitably grow apart. Yes, when we get older and have families we won’t talk nearly as much as we should. However, I know that Courtney and Cody will always be a part of my life. They’re my best friends, and I really mean it when I say that they always will be.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: Part 2 -Courtney Monzon

It’s Just a See Ya Later

To sum up Leyli, Cody, and my “friendship” in one word: odd. I actually don’t even consider them my friends, because they are way more than that. The word “friend” cannot and will not ever be enough to describe Leyli and Cody to me. Our “friendship” if you will call it that, brewed up the summer before our 8^th grade year and ever since we have been inseparable. Awe! We look so normal and adorable. Right? Wrong.

What I love the most about these two weirdos is that we are pretty much the same person. It’s hard not to love someone who literally thinks exactly like you. We are all very opinionated and controlling which normally turns into a mess. But we are mess, so that makes sense. We are so freaking weird:

If you haven’t been around us when we are in our “Leyli, Cody, Courtney zone”, you probably won’t understand any of this. It’s hard to explain, we lose sense of our surroundings and we go hard and pretty much exclude anyone around us (So, here’s our apology. We are truly sorry if you have ever felt left out when you are with us. We honestly can’t help it. Seriously). When we get in our mode we make up crazy weird scenarios and occasionally even do some improv when the time is right. And who am I kidding? The time is always right.

Here we are in full blast going hard:

Seriously though, how am I going to find friends next year? Okay, I’ll probably meet tons of great new people. But I know that they will never compare to these beauts. What friends honestly will let me say awful and hilarious things to them and then not even be mad about it? I just love how we can be so completely honest with each other, and it doesn’t change anything. We have gotten to the point where we call each other by our siblings’ names because we are too familiar with each other. And the main one is, who is going to be there to fart during a serious laugh session (BTW I’m talking about Cody).

Well the truth is I don’t know what I am going to do without MY Leyli and MY Cody next year and quite frankly I don’t even want to think about it. But when the summer does come to an end and we have to say goodbye – I know it’s not a real goodbye it’s just a see ya later.

 

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: Part 1- Cody Schimtz

 

It’s hard to write this, mainly because I’m refusing to think about it. In my mind, Courtney, Leyli and I will continue to be in each others’ lives for, well, forever. Yes we will always be in each others’ lives, but this fall is different. From now on the three of us will be in each others’ lives indirectly, passing through for a day or week at a time to catch up. Instead of experiencing life simultaneously, we’ll have to learn about each others’ separate experiences with new friends and unfamiliar locations. We can’t just meet in Watson’s room. We can’t go to El Puertos every night. We can’t sneak out of class and wander the halls together, because no one cares if you miss class in college. We can’t do a lot of the things we’ve always done. Our final year together has helped me realize just how much these two weirdos have given me over the years, and I hope I gave each of them a bit of the same. Here is what I’ll miss the most about Courtney and Leyli:
1. Complete Honesty
The three of us have reached an agreement. We can voice whatever opinion we have, and be as transparent as we want around one another. No one’s going to get their feelings hurt. I won’t be able to do this with anyone I meet at college. I can’t just freak out on a new friend and expect them to stick around. It’s cathartic to have that unconditional relationship and I wish I could keep them in my dorm for that reason.
2. Inside Jokes
Half of our everyday conversation is like another language to the outside listener. This is because we manage to fit an ongoing joke or past experience into every sentence we speak to each other. Example: 
“Oh, Shauna, no.”
“I know.”
I apologize for anyone (read: everyone) we left out at some point over a joke in the past. Just know that whatever it was, it was hilarious and you had to be there.
3. Adventures and Shenanigans
Speaking of past experiences, there is no one with which I have gotten into more trouble with than Courtney and Leyli. I wonder if I can mention our experiences here without being incriminating. 
Corn Queen 2012
Spring Play 2012
STATE TROOPER
Moped
Chelsie’s House
Cupcake Wars
The Roof 2.0
That should be vague enough, right? This is to name an extremely limited few.
4. Class will never be the same
How many classes have we had together? How many hilarious little experiences did we get to share in classes over the last six years? In my estimation, our most cherished classes will be: (* is a Courtney only class, ** is Leyli only)
English 10
Chemistry II*
Algebra I**
The year we all had different advisories but just met in Mrs. Gerard’s room anyways
American History
Biology*
Freshman Health**
Not only did we get to share these memories, I simply had more fun in classes with these two. They taught me that if you’re not going to have fun while doing it, why do something? It saddens me that when something hilarious happens next year, I won’t get to share it with my best friends.
Obviously there’s more to tell. But let’s be honest, you guys don’t really care about every little thing that happened to Courtney, Leyli, and I over the last however many years, and we don’t expect you too. The only people who truly care are the three of us, and that’s all we need. My hope is that as we finally go our separate ways, we can continue to share little moments, because those little “in between” moments are what stick with you and make something truly worthwhile.

Summer Dreams- Kayla Dvorak

 

While I sat in Journalism trying to think of an idea for this blog all I could think about was summer. So, I will write everything about summer that I love and can’t wait for.

·        As much as some people hate sweating or simply being hot, I would take 100 degree weather over snow every single day of the year. I’ll never understand why anybody likes the cold, but I guess somebody has to live in Canada. I love the sun and hot weather during those few short months.

·        I’m not going to say I’m lazy, but I would rather shower and throw on clothes than get dressed up and that’s exactly what everybody does during the summer. You can wear shorts, t-shirts, and shoes (or not, shoes are optional) basically everywhere you go. It’s also completely acceptable to walk around in shorts and a swimsuit. Another thing, flip flops are the most convenient footwear in the world and you can wear them everywhere.

·        The Fourth of July is the best holiday in my opinion. I mean, we’re celebrating our country’s freedom. The entire week surrounding the Fourth everyone seems so happy and light. In Concordia we all get together to shoot off fireworks and mess around at barbeques. I especially love the Fourth of July because it seems like my entire neighborhood wakes up. I never really see anybody but during that week when the whole town is out and about. Kids are running in the streets, and everyone is happy. I also have two sets of aunts and uncles that run firework stands, so we get great deals.

·        I love the pool. I’ve been in swim team since fourth grade and this year I get to work as a lifeguard. Every time I pass the pool I have some memory there. Last summer I took the four boys I babysat to the pool all the time, even though they didn’t want to go half the time. I hate the smell of sunscreen during the winter because it makes me want the sun, the swimming, the bathing suits, and just summer period.

·        Another thing I love is the freedom. My friends and I run free with no worries the whole summer. We have obligations, but obviously we can plan around that. Some days I’ll sleep in until noon and some days I get up at six and clean the entire house. You can do anything, all day, every day.

Advice From a Quitter- Kirstyn Dvorak

 

After deliberating for a while over what my April blog should be, I was unable to come up with anything. I’m fresh out of book reviews, funny stories and things to complain about. Instead, I’m going to provide my readers with a bit of friendly advice, mainly directed to people trying to find somewhere to fit in. In my life I have participated in swim team, golf, softball, volleyball, basketball, cross country, track, pole vault, dance, journalism, Future City, band, choir, the musical production of Annie, Spanish club and scholars bowl. I have quit almost every one of these things. Over the years I even quit and rejoined band not once, not twice, but three times. Whenever I joined a group and realized I didn’t excel at something I decided to move on to something else. Now I’m about to start my senior year and I’m out of clubs, teams and groups to join. My point is STICK WITH SOMETHING. After seventeen years of dabbling in a little bit of everything, I have no real skill in anything. If I could go back and do it over, I would find something I like and work to get better. If you are about to start high school, pick your place and stick with it. If you are about to start something new in life, don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work out at first and good luck.

Never Surrender- Marcel Rimrodt

Basketball is a difficult sport that requires not only physical but also mental strength. It is a sport where both team make runs and the score can totally change within a few minutes. You must never surrender because one minute on the clock can last a very long time. On the 27^th of February our CHS basketball team went to Abilene for the third time this season. It was an amazing game with much battling between the two teams.

The 4^th quarter was a fight because we were trailing but kept catching up. With about 22 seconds on the clock we were down by 6 when Cooper Holmes drove to the basket and put the ball in for two points. We were still trailing by 4 points when Ethan Bechard caused a foul, but Abilene missed the 2 free-throws. Jace Coppoc brought up the ball and gave it to Cooper Holmes who drove and kicked it out to Ethan for a three. He made it a one-point game with 7 seconds on the clock. Bechard fouled again to stop the clock and Abilene made one of the two free-throws. Grant Holmes grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball up to the three-point line. He pulled up for the shot and was fouled by Abilene’s guard which caused three free-throws. He made two of them and our Panthers ended up winning the game in overtime, 82-75.

I am sure nobody in the gym expected such a game at the beginning. Wins like that bring teams closer together and show that you should never give up when you are playing a sport. Whether it is basketball or football or any other sport, it is always worth to try as hard as you can!

The Texas Tradition- Julie Gross

 

Every high school student knows at every family gathering this question will come up, “So what do you want to do after you graduate?” Literally every one of my relatives has asked me that question and continues to ask that question. After I say “I don’t know,” they reply, “Well you have plenty of time to decide.” However, my college choice is made way harder by one simple joke. Both of my siblings chose colleges in Texas so everyone including friends, family, and random people says the phrase I have come to hate. “Haha, well I bet you are going to Texas just like your siblings.” This just makes me angry. Everyone assumes I want to be just like my siblings because I am the youngest child in the family. Well, actually no, I am a different person. I love my siblings, but I want to do my own thing and do not want to be a little carbon copy.  I don’t want to attend another school where I am called by my sister’s name. This makes me determined NOT to go to Texas and this sways my college decision. So even if a college in Texas has an amazing program for whatever I want to go into (yes I still don’t know what I want to do) I might not go there just to prove that I’m independent and I do not have to follow in my siblings’ footsteps. Maybe one day everyone will just realize I’m not my siblings.

Five Things All Lifeguard’s Wish Patrons Knew- Olivia Leif

 

After working at the local swimming pool for four summers, I have learned and observed more than many people would guess. In the spirit of it almost being summer, I have compiled a list of 5 things that I wish all people coming to the pool would know.

1.     Lifeguards are not glorified babysitters! More times than not, parents drop their young children (sometimes even under age 6) off at the pool at 1:00 when the pool opens and don’t come back until 7:00 when the pool closes. These kids are usually sunburned redder than a lobster and hungrier than a teenage boy after a football game by the 3:00 break. Parents,  take care of your kids. I don’t get paid enough to do your job for you!

2.     Don’t run! Before working at the pool I thought this was an obvious one. However, more kids get into trouble with the lifeguards as a result of running than anything else. We are not kidding when we say, “DON’T RUN!” It is dangerous and can cause slipping and potential injury. I would rather not have to backboard someone because of carelessness and a lack of discipline. Slow down boys and girls!

3.     Pregnant women and mothers should not wear bikinis! This may sound harsh, but in my years at the pool, I have seen more soon-to-be mommy’s strutting their stuff in a tiny string bikini. Ladies, have some respect for yourself please. You are pregnant, not looking for a man. On that same note, if you are a woman who is married with children, cover up as well. Even if you are still 25 and back to a size 4, the image you are putting out is that you are more interested in yourself and showing off your body than you are in taking care of your kids.

4.     Follow the rules of the diving boards. I, like all other lifeguards, love to see the coolest tricks off of the diving boards. However, even if you have a super cool trick that was legal at another pool, check to see if it’s legal at our pool. Diving boards can be dangerous if they are abused, and no lifeguard wants to backboard an unconscious person in a pool full of blood.

5.     Chlorine does not mean peeing in the water is okay. Boys and girls. If you think that swimming in your own urine sounds like a fun time; get help. Chlorine does prevent things from growing in the water and does eliminate germs, but seriously people, when I see you swimming around in a yellow haze I feel like throwing up. We have bathrooms for a reason. Use them.

  

Dance Life- Zoe Walsh

Most athletic seasons last between three to five months. As the season proceeds, the bonds between teammates become stronger. Dance lasts about two weeks short of an entire year, and as I begin my fourth and final year as a dancer, I find myself reflecting on the past.

     We started our season during May of the previous year. We prepared for the UDA camp we were going to attend in June. At this point we were just team mates. Some of us barely knew each other, but that quickly changed. The new members were timid and extremely quiet, but that also quickly changed. (Whether that was good or bad, I don’t know.J)

     Camp was just the beginning of our year-long journey together. Through fundraising, endless morning practices, all day Saturday practices, competitions, team bonding trips and scavenger hunts we grew closer. Sisterhood is the best way to describe the bonds I have made with the current dancers, as well as dancers who have graduated.

     If you have ever had a sister, you will know how much of a blessing it is. But I am not going to sugar coat anything…sisters get on each other’s nerves. We spend hundreds of hours together throughout the year. That being said, as the year winds down, we annoy each other, me included.  It is naturally what happens when people spend a lot of time together. Yes, we might get on each other’s nerves but at the end of the day we are there for each other. That’s what makes it a sisterhood.

     The 2013-2014 year has come to an end, and the 2014-2015 year has just started.  It has been nearly three non-stop years of dance for me since my freshman year. I am excited to say that we have 13 CHS Panther Dancers for my last year. That is the largest squad I have ever been a part of. I cannot wait to create a sisterhood with these young ladies and to strengthen my friendships with the returning members.