As we ring in the new school year with football games, dances, and actual schoolwork, many seniors began to realize that their time at Rocklin High School (RHS) was almost up. Those Friday night lights are dimming by the day, so it is important to remember the seniors who kept them lit. From their inspiration to their legacy, to their plans for the future, every senior helped shape the culture at RHS.
The seniors are inspired to be hardworking and committed to leaving a legacy at RHS. Senior Talia Gridley, drum major, said, “There were some people who were really, really great leaders my freshman and sophomore year that inspired me to want to step up and lead. And then also it was like if I stepped up and led, how could I help? How could I change things? What would I do? Stuff like that?” Senior Brooke Hanegan, current co-captain of the dance team, said, “I was really fortunate to have really good people and leaders to follow. And I hope that also happens with the team below us, and that they can learn from the things we do now, so that they can also bring that to their team.” Varsity football player and senior Josiah Andrews credited his success and commitment to football to his fellow teammates and leaders. Andrews said, “We have a lot of great players on that team, Mikey Cunningham and Maverick Collins. They helped me get better and improve in every aspect of the game, offense and defense. And I just think that they really influenced me. I think we need that chemistry and we need those bonds to be able to perform well on the field and just even off the field. I think we’re closer than just friends and stuff. It’s a brotherhood out there, and we take that mentality and use it on game nights.” The key to feeling inspired and being motivated to achieve goals was found within each other. These seniors had role models who inspired them and went on to inspire others, creating a cycle at Rocklin that continued to create leaders.
Through dedication and defining moments, many seniors had, or were looking to leave, a legacy at RHS. Andrews said, “I would say making it to sections, yeah, going super far [is my goal for this year]. I wanna leave a big impact. I think we’re going to be a great team even in the future. We got a lot of good young players, Malachi Kendall, Mason Cunningham, CJ, we got a lot of transfers coming in, and I think they’re going to be really good.” Gridley was also candid about the future of the band and what she and her bandmates did to improve the program over the years. “I think that we took a lot of what was great about the band, the fun and the energy and the people and the excitement and stuff like that, but I feel like this year and hopefully future years, I feel like we look a lot more polished and clean and that our skills are better. That’s something I really wanted to work on, and I think today, they really show that, and I’m very proud of them. Hanegan reflected on her personal difference in the dance program, and her hopes for future dancers. “I think I’ve left a positive legacy. I’m the type [of] person [to] really be involved with everybody on the team. It doesn’t matter your age, it doesn’t matter your grade, it doesn’t matter how skilled you are or not. You just always want to be friends and loving to others, because I would want that if I was an underclassman. I hope that it can be at the level it was when all four years on my team, I was really fortunate to have really good people and leaders to follow. And I hope that also happens with the team below us, and that they can learn from the things we do now, so that they can also bring that to their team.”
It’s a brotherhood out there, and we take that mentality and use it on game nights.
–Josiah Andrews
Looking back on the last four years, there were many prideful and emotional moments that defined people and gave them hope for the future. Hanegan said, “I think I’m kind of sad. I love the dance team. It’s been my life since freshman year, but I’m excited to have new beginnings. But the game was awesome. It was really fun. I’m glad we won.” Though Andrews wasn’t leaving football behind, as he was committed to NAU, he reflected on his journey.
“It’s crazy. You know, high school went by super fast. It feels like I was just a freshman a year ago. And you know, you just can’t take any of it for granted, because you never know what can happen,” he said. Gridley, who was participating in her final year of band, said, “I’m happy about it. It’s, you know, senior year, I feel really energized for it, but also every time [I think] about it, I remember when it was my first time, and how nervous I was and all this stuff, and all the people who were with me freshman year are still with me now. So that’s made it more fun, but also more, I think, emotional. I’m not sure how it’ll go on senior night.” Ending high school was an event marked by a blend of emotions, as it could feel like both a celebration and a new beginning.
While senior year was a period of transition and stress, these seniors illustrated what it was like to be involved and committed to a program at Rocklin High School, and what it meant to be immensely passionate about something and then have to leave it behind. There was a lesson to learn from all of them, however, to make the most of our time at Rocklin, because it would all be over in a flash.
