V
olleyball Senior Night is one of the most important events for any volleyball team member who is a senior and nears graduation. It is an opportunity to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the volleyball team throughout their four-year High School career. The feeling during Senior Night is one of excitement and hope, along with a bit of sadness because of the upcoming goodbyes.

Photo courtesy of Gordon Stevens

The event has a pre-game ceremony in which seniors are honored before their teammates, coaches, family, and friends. This evening activity started with the introduction of senior players, each paired with a touching speech regarding their achievements in sports and school. Coaches and teammates usually tell stories showing the character and the efforts of each senior, bringing both smiles and tears from the audience. They are given gifts, flowers, and other presents that show appreciation for the commitment of the team. This is not a speech to be done out of formality, but it shows a wrap-up of years of experiences shared in winning, losing, struggling, and growing up together.

Family members escorted their seniors onto the court as they were recognized individually. The first senior who was introduced was Shelby Stevens. Shelby was escorted by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Stevens. Shelby is an outside hitter and has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball team for the past two years. Megan McDonough was the next senior. She was escorted by her parents Mr. Chris McDonough and Dr. Lisa McDonough. Megan is a middle hitter who has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball team for the past two years. Cami Abel was escorted third by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Abel. Cami is a volleyball team captain and has been a member of the Varsity Volleyball team for the past three years. Cami also plans to continue her volleyball career at the collegiate level. Last but not least, Hannah Baker was escorted by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Jake Baker. Hannah is a volleyball team captain and she has been a member of the volleyball team for the past four years.

This recognition is a testament to how much their support has meant to the athletes during early morning practices, the craziness of travel plans, and the stress of competition. It is that touching moment that shows the love and support given to players every parent would want and show, and more importantly, the teamwork in every success.

But the match is not as crucial as the feelings of this night. The game is one more opportunity for seniors to show their skills, and to bring years of effort into a bright show of talent and teamwork. It is every serve, spike, and block with more energy and emotion, as if it were to make this moment unforgettable for everyone present. Regardless of the game's outcome, this night was about celebrating achievements and cherishing the journey rather than focusing solely on victory.

More than just a game, this Senior Night bridged the gap between the past and the future. It was and is an opportunity for seniors to reflect on how they have grown from their inexperienced freshman days into experienced athletes who are ready to accept new roles and challenges.

R
unning might seem like a burden for some, but for the Cross Country team, it’s a treasure. Through early mornings and hot afternoons, they push through and run countless miles in order to reach their goals. Led by their coach and one of St. Luke’s beloved history teachers, Coach Russell, the team truly represents what St. Luke’s is all about. His amazing leadership allows the team to understand and reach their full potential.This season they have worked vigorously to reach the point where they are today. Starting in the summer, they began not only preparing for the upcoming season but also creating the bonds that would help this 2024 team become successful. This year the girls team has the honor of being led by sophomore Sophie Dolbear and the boys, junior Rishi Gupta.

Since the beginning, this team has had such great potential. As they are entering an important meet at Jesse Owens this weekend, they are able to go into it with their recent success at Daphne, where the boys impressively placed 8th out of 23 teams, beating huge schools like Spanish Fort and Davidson, along with the girls who secured 12th place out of 18 teams. When hearing from the captains they stated that the collective goal this year is to clinch the division title at the state championship. “We have the tools and coaching in place to do it , and we most definitely have the work ethic.”, Rishi Gupta stated. Next season, they will not be losing any runners, which bodes well for the strength in their team.

I had the opportunity to hear from one of the captains for this season about what he thinks about the season so far and what’s to come. When asked about how it feels to lead the team this year, Rishi stated "Honestly, this is such a great team, and being captain feels a lot like last year—except now I can actually give out punishments! But in all seriousness, it’s been really enjoyable to plan bonding events and to share leadership with Sophie for such an incredible group, both boys and girls.” It sounds like this team has truly made the connections that would help them be successful.

The Cross Country team at St. Luke’s Episcopal School represents a close-knit group of friends who are all about supporting one another through every challenge and triumph. They’ve shared countless practices, pushed each other to improve, and celebrated personal bests together. With each race, they’ve built not just athletic skills but also lifelong memories and friendships. As they gear up for another season, it’s clear that this team is more than just about running; it’s about growth, teamwork, and the bonds that will carry them beyond the finish line. They represent our school well, so let’s all gather and support them throughout their season!