Newspaper Editor-in-Chief: Amanda Leutmixay

I am incredibly disheartened that my high school years are concluding in a matter of a few days. I have grown so attached to the routine and structure of high school, that college is going to be such a huge adjustment for me. I have grown and learned so much in the past four years it’s unbelievable. It saddens me to part with my high school memories, but I cannot wait to embark on a new chapter of my life at UCLA.The alumni weren’t lying when they said to make the most of your high school years because time definitely flew by in a blink of an eye. All of the memories I have made feels like it happened just yesterday. However, I wouldn’t change any part of my high school experience. What I put into my high school experience, is essentially what I got out of it. Aaron Price Fellows and Yearbook & Publications both had such a huge impact on my life. Not only did I earn a new family in both sectors, I discovered who I was as an individual in so many ways. I found my voice in Aaron Price Fellows and through Yearbook & Newspaper, I was able to be heard. I would like to thank my friends, family, GEAR UP advisors/coordinators, counsellors, teachers, Mr. Heu and the Price family. I am so grateful for your support and contributions to my future.  

Lastly, here are a few words of wisdom by yours truly. Get involved. Whether it’s a sport, club or program, just join something because it’ll contribute to your self-discovery. Cherish all of your memories, friends and family. Appreciate your loved ones especially because everyday is uncertain and their support is going to be what’s pushing your forward. If you need tutoring, seek out tutoring and take advantage of all the educational support you can get. Don’t be afraid or feel like a loser if you need academic support. The best fall sometime and if you’re not struggling, you’re not learning nor challenging yourself. Apply to scholarships!!! College is REALLY expensive, so save up and send those scholarship applications.

Yearbook Editor-in-Chief: Annie Muller

The first memory I have of high school was of Charles and I walking in the front quad when all of a sudden we hear someone scream “What the heck are you guys doing?!” We looked up and saw an intimidating old asian man walking up to us and uttering “Why aren’t you guys in Yearbook?!” I didn’t know it at the time but that conversation would change my entire high school experience. Next thing you know, I’m in room 256, sitting in the closest desk to Mr. Heu. Not knowing a single person in the class, I stuck to Mr. Heu’s side and did whatever he told me. I came into high school as a shy, passive little girl that was too afraid to speak her mind and make friends. This class completely changed me. Each and every day, I was slowly blossoming into a different person from that scared freshmen. I was forced to go interview strangers, interact with others, and just learn how to talk to people. I was encouraged to challenge ideas and be curious. Yearbook taught me more real world skills and life lessons than any class at Hoover. As I reminisce on all the multi-cultural exchanges, politically incorrect roast sessions, and late work days, my heart will ache for all of the people and memories I’ve made.

Senior Staff Writers:

Forever I’ll always remember my time in high school. During those four years I made several good and bad memories. As I look back I will see myself as someone who is not that person anymore. Even though I’ll be moving on to better things my high school self with always be apart of me. All those four years I have discovered there are other opportunities to take. There is not much I regret doing because at the end of the day I am the one made those decisions. I am glad to be graduating high school because of the negativity it brings from others. Two things I will miss is yearbook and Mr. Heu. Joining yearbook is something everyone should do. While in school everyone should do everything in their power to make high school great. I was able to do that with yearbook and Mr. Heu. – Sygney Bernardino

Nearing the end of four years at Hoover High is so bittersweet. From entering high school as a naive and carefree teenager, now transformed into a mature young adult about to embark on her college education. Homecoming, Cardinals Interact, Yearbook, Key Club, Prom, GradNite; all memorable things that impacted my high school experience. The wonderful teachers and staff have also impacted me in a huge way, and I appreciate each and every one who has helped me on my path. I had many amazing memories and met so many great people who will hopefully continue to be a part of my life. It’s crazy how quick these past four years have gone by. My experience here at Hoover has been unforgettable and I am really going to miss this school. Although my high school journey ends here, I am going to come back and improve the school that helped build me. Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal. – Angie Muller

Throughout my four years in high school, I went through a period of self discovery. I found out many things about myself that I never believed I could be capable of. After failing a class during my sophomore year and having to retake it my junior year, I realized how determined I really am since I was able to pass it. Another thing I learned was that despite my shyness, I am able to step out of my comfort zone and ask for help when I need it. I also learned to take advantage of the opportunities that Hoover provides. I joined Cardinals Interact, program which helped me throughout my entire financial aid and college application process. I also became a part of the yearbook crew my junior and senior year where I met many new people and friends and became an editor. High school has been an incredible experience for me. – Claritza Arriaga

Four years of laughter, tears, anger, and sadness. High school was a rollercoaster that taught me to love myself, to let go of those who do not deserve my time, and to always look for the brighter side of life. I have been mistaken from the worst judgement or to the closest thing that I can say about myself. I have met wonderful people that have influenced me positively and care much for my well-being. On the other hand, I encountered people who did not treat me how I wanted to be treated and have hurt me.Walking into high school, I did not know if I should be happy because I am one step closer to being and acting as an adult. Now, a few days before graduation, I am beyond grateful for attending Hoover because I need as much experience as possible to be ready for reality. It is exciting to be leaving high school to move towards higher education and more opportunities. But, it is also sad to be leaving behind an institution where I met my best friends, made great memories, and had self-realization. Looking back, freshman year was lonesome and I was not involved. Over the course of the years, I joined programs and sports teams where I met amazing people and now I will be walking alongside them. Thank you Hoover for these wonderful four years, I will be forever grateful for the chances I was given and the stories I can tell. Jessica Ong

Throughout my four years at Hoover, I have learned about great programs and met amazing people. I wish I knew about some programs sooner, however I’m happy to say that I have no regrets. Keeping an open mind during my freshman year was essential for my success later on. As a shy freshman, I enjoyed spending time with my friends. I managed to expand my comfort zone by joining a sport, and socializing within clubs during my sophomore year. My junior year consisted of constantly carrying around a camera and doing more work than I needed to. I deserved to relax, so senior year was somewhat laid back. It maintained some pressure and stress though. Overall, it was manageable. My best friend Evelyn helped me accomplish what I needed and is more like family. Even if some distance exists, we will to overcome it; like we always do. – Kassandra Azzoo

My high school experience I can say has definitely been a roller coaster for me. There have been ups and downs for me throughout all four years, obstacles thrown at me from every angle but through it all, I managed to push forward and work hard because it would all be worth in the end when I walk across that stage to receive my diploma. From freshman year all the way up to my senior year, high school has taught me so much. From learning to focus on myself, to never letting anyone’s opinions get to me unless they were trying to motivate me to do better. I went from being an immature teenager to a responsible young adult with the support of the amazing peers I met and some amazing teachers that I have had throughout the years. I would say High School plays a huge role to one’s life and my advice is to enjoy it as much as possible. Do not waste any time whatsoever but along with that, focus on success in order to have the future you wish to have for yourself. – Jamie Muniz

Well since the first day of freshman year, I couldn’t wait until I graduated. Now I’m on my last days of high school and I still feel the same way. I can’t wait to get away from all these people I can’t stand. Why do you think I always have earphones on? Exactly because I can’t stand their annoying heinous voices. There was some fun parts of highschool but the reasons they were fun was because they were against the rules. Probably out of all the classes I ever took, my two favorite ones where Video Production with Mr. Michener and Drama with Mr. Heu. Those classes where actually fun and the people in them were not as annoying as in other classes. Now that graduation is a couple days away I can’t wait to not see y’all again or maybe I’ll see some of y’all in the high school reunion. – Guillermo Morales

High school is a fun and crazy place. All my life I thought it would be like high school musical but it is nothing like you would imagine. I played sports my whole life and it helped me be involved and outgoing because I use to be an outcast in middle school, those who went to middle school did not even remember me since I was so shy and not known! Confidence really helped me throughout my four years. I became someone who I actually wanted to be, I did not care about others but I was just afraid of myself and breaking down my own wall. I have learned to deal with hate from others but in the end I know I am stronger and better than those. My growth and experiences taught about heartbreaks, love, moving on, bad friendships, good friendships, and my hobbies. I still do not know what I want to do as my future career but I know for sure I made the best out of high school career. I will miss the my playing for my team, high school events, football games, late night laughs, and how useful it shaped me as a person. High school is fun as long as you realize you’re still young, just make the best of it and you will receive happiness in return. – Annika Kheav

“The best four years of your life.” I’m sitting here among the end of my senior year and I am still trying to fathom who in the hell came up with that concept towards high school. I absolutely would not say that they were the best, but I also would not say that they were the worst. If anything high school was more of a learning experience for me and it exposed me to pretty useful things that will come forth to me in my near future. I learned that friends come and go and that it is always better to let a toxic person exit your life. I learned that sleep is important and that your mental health is worth more than a 50 point essay due at midnight. I learned that there will be teachers who will give you an arm and a leg and others that will probably thrive on seeing you fail. I learned that your education is the most precious thing you have and that it will ultimately reveal where you will go at the end of the long run, but it does not determine the magnitude of the being you will become because all of that comes after high school. These four years have taught me that prioritizing yourself and  indulging in your personal growth is the best gift you can give yourself. Your friends may seem like the most important things in life but after four long years you will part and make new ones in university. Only the genuine ones will be the ones that stick by your side. High School is just another part of life. It is awkward and scary but at the end of the day exciting. Just keep in mind that the real world is only a million times more than what high school was. I wish you all a good and successful ride.

– Michelle Rodriguez

Now that high school has come to an end I would like to just look back at the four years I have spent just for this one very moment where I can say I am finally done. Freshmen year was a time where I didn’t have a care in the world and all I wanted to do was have fun. I should’ve spent more time into thinking what I was going to do for the rest of high school. Sophomore year was pretty easy. Junior year I realized that school was getting harder and I needed to push myself, I just regret that I put a lot of stress into school when I should’ve gotten involved in school like clubs and activities, or even considered joining a sport. Senior year was the best. I was involved in school, got into college, made new friends, joined a sport and it was all just an amazing experience. I thank everyone who was there with me along this journey, it’s been real. – Rogelio Gonzalez

The year is coming to an end and I don’t know exactly how to feel. Many mix feelings are happening because as a senior, I’m leaving all the memories of four years of fun, work, and personal growth as an individual. I will always remember the day I entered the big gym filled with many new and familiar faces to start my first day of high school and learning how to say “yet” after almost every sentence when I say I can’t do it, “yet”. I’ve changed as much as the people around me and found things I’m interested in and rather not be. High school was like a fun roller coaster that made it difficult to start from, but I’m glad I made it through the whole ride. I will always remember the fun times and good vibes from all of my close friends, classmates and teachers. They will forever be in my heart. – Adam Nguyen

It is surreal that I have arrived at the end of my high school career. Honestly, the past four years was a rollercoaster experience, yet I feel that it has prepared me for what is to come when I turn 18 and enter the real world. For one, not everyone is your friend and not everyone is your enemy, but your enemy may be your ally. The constant pressure that I felt in my junior and senior year has allowed me to correctly prioritize my life and not procrastinate on the important things, even though I am procrastinating on my senior closing words as we speak. I would like to thank Mrs. RD and AHHC/FACES for pushing me to do my best after I took one of the biggest losses in my life because without them, I would not be at the finish line now. It was sensational attending Hoover High School. I am a proud Cardinal and always will be! HOO-RYDE, ya girl NhiNhi is out! – Hai Nhi Huynh