OwlFeed Newsletter
SENIOR EDITION - MAY 12, 2022
Goodbyes and see you laters
The day we've all been waiting for and dreading equally has arrived for us seniors. Today is the last day of school and the start of new and fascinating chapter our lives. As a senior myself I would like to give my official farewell to those who won't be graduating with us next Saturday. It was an honor to share this campus with you all and an absolute pleasure to meet some of you and an absolute pleasure to help a lot of you tease Boothman about his white Tesla with red interior that he refuses to admit he owns.
So with ample dread and excitement for the next chapter in my life and the closing of this one, I'm saying goodbye to my position as Editor-in-Chief and access to the grounds of Agua Fria that helped make me who I am to day and frame who I will be tomorrow. I am saying my final goodbyes to everyone who became a pillar of support to me on the staff team here at Agua Fria.
- Nasreene Gant, Editor-in-Chief of Class 2022
By: Nasreene Gant
I imagine on my last day it would be as if peace washed over me as I stepped off the campus for what would be my last time.
Memories of my favorite teachers flashed through my head as I took one step further off of campus. Another step and I could hear the giggling of my friends and I as we skipped through the halls singing Miley Cyrus songs before a football game. The last step to my car and every single memory of my friends and teachers pass through me.
Click HERE to read on.
Vanessa Leon: Agua Fria's Resident Sunshine Girl
Charismatic, awkward, honest, and kind-hearted are a few words that you could use to describe Vanessa Leon, a member of the Agua Fria pom team and fellow math lover. She is our resident sunshine sweetheart and avid One Direction stan.
If you’re a sane person and you know Vanessa you’d probably think she’s a little crazy for loving math.
Click HERE to read on.
The Charismatic, Smart, and Passionate Sara Irvine
One year ago, almost to the day, I sat next to Sara Irvine, now a senior, at the first (and only) Owls Literary Magazine poetry slam.
Of all the people gathered in the cafe she was the brightest. Even as she tucked herself away into a corner, her smile could be seen across the room. A year of complete isolation, and Sara’s was the first friendly face to be found.
Click HERE to read on.
The Bright and Busy Berta Rivera
As she is wrapping up the school year, coming to events, and setting up spirit weeks, she is still running late to class and rushing through the doors at the end of the day. The excitement and nervousness of the approaching graduation day fill the air as she wakes up every day to make it count.
Her mind is occupied by the thought of all the people ready to celebrate and express how proud they are of all her accomplishments.
Click HERE to read on.
By: Simone Chery
To the young freshman girl with a heart full of drive, fresh from Avondale Middle School ready to become a police officer, I just want you to know…it gets worse.
No, I'm just kidding — well sort of, but I want you to know experience is a brutal thing, but you learn.
Click HERE to read on.
Owl Athletes
Dimitri Davis: Through Devotion Comes Admiration
You feel the cool breeze in the air. It allows you to let loose and have one goal in mind, which is to be the best person you can possibly be.
In the case of track and field, Agua Fria’s very own senior Demitri Davis lines up and faces forward. Once you hear the starting pistol, you accelerate at an unimaginable level, creating an atmosphere filled with determination and admiration.
Click HERE to read on.
Makayla Price: The Softball and AVID Super Star
In the Owl Cafe here at Agua Fria, Makayla Price signed to play D2 softball at Glendale Community College. The ceremony was full of people who had supported Makayla throughout her four years of high school. She had a big smile on her face as she signed her commitment letter, from this day forth creating herself a bright future.
Mrs. Daniels, Agua Fria’s athletic director and vice principal, then proceeded to hand the microphone to Makayla to say a few words.
Click HERE to read on.
The Record-Breaking Run of Oscar Gonzales
News Reporter
“On your mark, get set, GO!” The race has begun and only one thing is on Oscar Gonzales’s mind…and that’s to pace yourself. While doing 1600 he pushes himself to keep going and to do his best.
The competition is high, he’s going against many schools from Arizona and even from other states. As he approaches the finish line, he can feel victory right around the corner. He finished the race with a time of 15:54.91.
Click HERE to read on.
By: Makayla Kennedy
All I have to say is, this was NOT like ‘High School Musical.’
As a kid, I watched movies like ‘High School Musical,’ ‘Clueless,’ ‘The Breakfast Club,’ and ‘10 Things I Hate About You,’ and mentally based my future high school career off that. When I walked into Agua Fria for the first time, I was smacked into reality.
The Leaders of Tomorrow
Ge'onnicka Henry: Dreaming Big for the Future Ahead
Centered in a room of busybodies clothed in midnight blue scrubs, Ge’onnicka Henry circles the quartz countertops covered in tubes, needles, and other metallic sharp instruments to reach the phlebotomy station. Having come from the pediatrics room within the lab, the crying from the robotic babies faded from her ears before she released a sigh, ready to draw blood from another soon-to-be doctor.
What is it, to be phenomenal? Take a glimpse at Ge’onnicka Henry and you will know.
Click HERE to read on.
Alicia Maruffo: A Strong Legacy in the Wake of a Beautiful Future
When Alicia Maruffo steps up to bat, the whole opposing team backs up. The infielders are expecting a hard-hit ground ball straight to them and the outfielders hoping it doesn’t go over their heads.
Alicia was a student-athlete for all four years of high school and was the first baseman and sometimes second for the Lady Owls softball team.
Click HERE to read on.
Sarah Lucas: The Jack of All Trades
Imagine this is you: you have an eight hour day at school full of Advanced Placement classes, AVID, and social life, then you spend hours on either the soccer field or the tennis and badminton court while still finding time to do art.
That seems like a lot right? Well that’s just an average day for Sarah Lucas and she does it flawlessly.
Sarah is a senior at Agua Fria High School and has been an Owl all four years. She has kept busy, being a part of AVID, soccer, tennis, badminton, art showcases, and several AP classes.
Click HERE to read on.
By: Anna Salinas
Dear Agua Fria High School,
Ever since I was a young girl I was always told that I was going to Desert Edge due to it being close to my grandma’s house. But after having to live in the same apartment complex for over nine years, me and my older siblings had to go to you instead and you’ve taken decent care of us. But since I’m the youngest sibling, it’s time to say goodbye for now.
Click HERE to read on.
Even More Stellar Owls!
Olivia Wotherspoon Does It All With Kindness and Pride
By: Michelle Del Pilar, OwlFeed Sports Reporter
The hard-working, motivated, kind-hearted, humble, and outstanding woman, Olivia Wotherspoon is a senior at Agua Fria High School. She has been a student in Agua Fria since freshman year.
She goes beyond and above to do the best she can, as she takes pride in her work, showing leadership and enthusiasm to help others during her high school career, giving her best effort helping in StuCo, Photography, Link Crew, and Journalism as Sports Editor.
Both On and Off The Stage, Mikayla Brito is a Star
By: Olivia Wotherspoon, OwlFeed Sports Editor
The crowd sits in amazement as they watch her gracefully and confidently take over the stage as she dances. Mikayla Brito is a senior here at Agua Fria. She’s captain of the pom team, president of the dance program, and an avid member of student council.
Mikayla started dancing when she was four and it has had a huge impact on her life and the development of herself as a whole. From impacting who she is as a person to shaping her whole high school experience, dance is something that has taught Mikayla a lot.
Click HERE to read on.
Naila Castaneda Guevara: Bringing the Spirit to AFHS
By: Danielle Nickerson, OwlFeed Lifestyle Reporter
When football is in season it’s always hectic for Naila Castaneda Guevara. She leads the Agua Fria High School band in their halftime performance, the audience proudly cheering, the colors of red gleaming out of the crowd, then she finds herself quickly rushing to get ready to perform with the school’s cheer team.
Naila, a senior, has been here at Agua Fria High School for all four years and finished strong in her final year.
Click HERE to read on.
By: Olivia Wotherspoon
To the school that has taught me so much since I entered these gates four years ago, I now say goodbye. Here I am looking back on the past 13 years of my life and I realize that I grew up. The little girl who started Kindergarten in 2008 would have never imagined that the time goes by so fast.
High school was great. The memories I made, the friendships I’m so lucky to have and the experiences I got are things I will always be grateful for. Agua Fria helped shape me into the person I am today and this high school will forever have a very special place in my heart.
Click HERE to read on.
Last, But Certainly Not Least...
Anna Salinas: The Masterful Media Mentor
By: Andres Lara, OwlFeed Lifestyle Reporter
Inside of a classroom, senior Anna Salinas is working to make sure that the stories she is editing are ready to be published, as well as making sure these stories are able to be seen by many different people. Meanwhile, she’s also writing stories of her own that she hopes can be posted and seen by the school.
Anna Salinas is graduating from Agua Fria High School while leaving her mark in the classes she took. She has taken both journalism and film for a good amount of time. She has been in journalism for two years, including serving as the OwlFeed editor-in-chief in the fall of 2021.
Click HERE to read on.
Alicia Cordova: Volleyball Captain and Class Leader
By: Raquel Melendez, OwlFeed Opinion Columnist
Alicia Cordova, who is #2 on the court, gets ready for her teammate to set the ball up for her. As the ball goes up, Alicia begins running towards it, jumps, and spikes the ball, scoring another point for the Agua Fria Lady Owls volleyball team.
Described as a very bright and reliable person, Alicia arrived here at Agua Fria as a freshman from a private school, knowing little to no one. Fast forward to now, Alicia’s senior year, and she has become senior class vice-president, and captain of the indoor and outdoor volleyball team.
Click HERE to read on.
Senior Goodbye: Helping Me Grow
By: Makayla Monreal, OwlFeed News Reporter
Hi, my name is Makayla Monreal and I’m a senior here at Agua Fria and this is the last time you will read my beautiful writing.
What a ride it’s been for me at Agua Fria High School. Freshman year was, to say the least, not my favorite year. A bunch of bad outfits was worn, the way I acted was just so cringy, and I regret a lot of things. Despite that, the friends I made that year are some of my lifelong friends that even after high school we could never separate.
One of the most memorable moments of freshman year was when we went on lockdown because of bees.
Click HERE to read on.
With Love, From Your Teachers
Staff Goodbye: Triumph Over Fear
English Teacher
This graduating class of 2022 has probably had one of the most difficult high school experiences I’ve ever seen.
Your sophomore year was interrupted, your junior year was obliterated, and your senior year was fragmented and often filled with uncertainty. You’ve known loss and fear. You’ve had terrible illnesses in your families, and have been ill yourself. Motivation and drive has often been very hard to come by. It’s safe to say that life has thrown everything at you in a way that can feel exhausting, but you’ve fought through to the end.
Click HERE to read on.
Staff Goodbye: Experience Becoming
Journalism Advisor
It is with a heavy heart that I write my final goodbye as the journalism advisor in the last OwlFeed Senior Edition that I will have a hand in.
What a privilege it has been to advise this class for seven years. Working with our student journalists was always a highlight of my day. Hearing your ideas, seeing you challenge each other’s thinking and seeing you grow each day as writers was a wonder to behold. I’d like to specifically thank my senior OwlFeed writers, whom I credit with keeping the class alive and bringing us out of the pandemic stronger than ever.
Click HERE to read on.
Staff Goodbye: Making A New Owl Feel At Home
Psychology Teacher
Seniors of 2022,
You did it! What an exciting time filled with emotions. You should be so proud of how far you have made it and the work you have put in to reach this point. Please know how proud I am of you all as you move on to your next adventure!
As many of you know, this is my first year at Agua Fria. Although I haven’t been here long, I feel so much love towards our school and the people here and that is because of you all.
Click HERE to read on.
Staff Goodbye: Dedication Sees Dreams Come True
Athletic Trainer
Graduating Class of 2022 –
I am so proud of you! Getting to know each of you during my Agua Fria experience has been such a privilege and honor. I will forever cherish the memories we’ve made whether it was in the classroom (remote or in-person), the athletic training room, during an athletic event, or even just through passing.
Enjoy the celebrations as your hard work, resiliency, and determination over the last 4 years have awarded you with your high school diploma and an opportunity to move on to something bigger in life. It wasn’t a normal path, and to most, I’m sure you thought this moment couldn’t come soon enough.
Click HERE to read on.
Staff Goodbye: The Value of Perseverance
Math Teacher
Perhaps it’s the teacher in me, but as we start to emerge from the innumerable challenges and traumas of the last few years, I find myself looking for a lesson, a key takeaway from it all.
I truly believe something we all have been forced to learn is the value of perseverance, and no one more than the Class of 2022. I’m the first to admit that the courses I teach can be difficult to comprehend. Calculus especially is so different compared to anything we’ve studied before that it’s easy to just go through the motions of a process or give up entirely, just as it was easy to go through the motions or give up when we were suddenly learning from our bedrooms or spaced out in the classroom.
Click HERE to read on.
Staff Goodbye: Wash Your Bowl
Social Studies Teacher
Class of 2022,
As you know I taught this class three years in a row. Three years ago I taught Honors English II, last year I taught American History, and this year I am teaching Government and Economics.
I want to take a moment to thank all of you. You have made me laugh and smile every day and because of you I am a greater person, teacher, and coach. I have learned from you as much as you learned from me.
In an attempt to give one last piece of advice to an entire class, I have decided to share a famous Zen story called “Wash Your Bowl” with you. Read it carefully.
Click HERE to read on.