Senior Season: Memories, Sage Advice

In honor of our Seniors last day of high school, Spartan Staff asked seniors about their experience here at Marian Catholic. Before we get into the profiles, I want to say congratulations to all of the Seniors! Even when it felt impossible you guys got through it and you are finally graduating. Good job guys and keep up the great work. 

I spoke to the Senior volleyball standout Sara Johnson and basketball star Joshua Lawson. I asked them the following questions: How long have you been at Marian Catholic? What has been your happiest moment here? What has been your most memorable moment here? Whom would you like to wish a special goodbye to? What are your plans post-graduation? What advice do you have for incoming freshmen? What advice do you have for rising Seniors (Class of 23’)? 

Sara Johnson

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT MARIAN CATHOLIC: 

Sara Johnson: Four years (also took biology here for zero hour when I was in 8th grade).

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HAPPIEST MOMENT HERE: 

SJ: My happiest moment at Marian was probably Homecoming Week my senior year, where my friends and I made posters and ran through the school excited and dressed in all pink tutus and pink eyeblack and crazy hairstyles.  We made tik-toks without teachers and we just had a blast all day, and then at the pep-rally, my friend had a huge Hoco proposal which was a lot of fun to help plan and see. 

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT HERE:

SJ: My most memorable moment at Marian would be my junior year where the Varsity volleyball team beat Marist after a constant losing streak to them.  We beat them in 2 sets and I had one of the last kills of the game and I still get chills thinking about the moment when London Hatch scored on a dump for us to win the set.  That whole volleyball season was unforgettable and I really wish we could’ve had a state run because I believe we would’ve done extremely well.

WHOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO WISH A SPECIAL GOODBYE:

SJ: I would like to wish a special goodbye to Ms. Pasyk and Coach K.  Ms. Pasyk has been stuck with me since my freshman year, and has listened to all of my random rants and helped me out big time when it comes to getting in assignments and keeping my mental health in check.  I just met Coach K this year and she’s honestly taught me a lot about what it means to be a strong independent woman in a position of power.  She gives off the ultimate girl boss energy in the best way possible, and I really look up to her. I am definitely going to miss coaching and helping out the Men’s volleyball team with her next year.  

PLANS POST GRADUATION: 

SJ: Post graduation I will be attending Radford University where I am going to pursue a degree in Biomedical Science in the Honors College.  I will also be playing Division 1 volleyball while at my time at Radford, and living the life of a collegiate student athlete. 

ADVICE FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN:

SJ: Be open to making new friends and be ready for life to change in lots of ways.  NEVER PROCRASTINATE- Once you do it once you will do it again. And it’s okay to talk to your teachers and ask for help and extra time if you really need it. Don’t be afraid. 

ADVICE FOR RISING SENIORS (Class of ‘ 23):

SJ: My advice for the rising seniors is to take advantage of every memory and opportunity senior year brings.  It goes by super fast and in a blink of an eye you’ll be done.  Senioritis doesn’t exist if you focus on making memories and remember that your time here is fleeting.  – Brooklyn Allen

Joshua Lawson

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT MARIAN CATHOLIC: 

Joshua Lawson: I have been at Marian Catholic for two years.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HAPPIEST MOMENT HERE: 

JL: My happiest moment here was having my senior night against one of our rival schools, Bloom.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT HERE:

JL: My most memorable moment was when we had my first prep rally here on the football field and we sang the Spartan Fight Song in competition by grade level.

WHOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO WISH A SPECIAL GOODBYE:

JL: I would like to say goodbye to c\Coach Taylor and all my basketball teammates and to my favorite teachers Mr. Wamble and Mr. Rohn.

PLANS POST GRADUATION: 

JL: I plan on attending a great college that fits me which I still haven’t decided on yet and also play basketball there and maybe work a job over the summer.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN:

JL: For incoming freshmen, the only advice I have is make sure you make every moment count because your four years will go by so fast that you will want to relive the moments because it will go by so fast.

ADVICE FOR RISING SENIORS (Class of ‘ 23):

JL: Make sure you start on your college search early because if you wait till the last minute it will just make it more stressful on you, and you should be more focused on education and graduation instead of waiting until the last minute to make a college decision.  – Brooklyn Allen

Miguel Maninang

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT MARIAN CATHOLIC: 

Miguel Maninang: Four years

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HAPPIEST MOMENT HERE: 

MM: My happiest memory at Marian is doing the closing number for the musical Footloose. In the context of the story, we were at prom and could just dance and be as wacky as we wanted. Plus all my good friends were with me.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT HERE:

MM: I guess the most memorable would have to be the speech regional tournament this year as me and my father cried while I gave it. The topic was very personal to me and him as it concerned stereotypes about Asian men. 

For further context, this past Speech season Miguel wrote and performed an Original Oratory on the emasculation of Asian men.

WHOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO WISH A SPECIAL GOODBYE:

MM: Goodbye to Marcus [Bobbitt], goodbye to Mia [Lockett], goodbye to Alex [Bertucci], goodbye to the speech and theatre department. And goodbye to Sparty. 🙁

PLANS POST GRADUATION: 

MM: The main thing I want to do is start working out more consistently. I feel like I never had enough free time to do it because of speech and theatre, but with that out of the way and the structure of college schedules, I think I’ll have more time to do it. It’s important that I work on my physical health. Also career wise, I’m not completely sure. My major is undecided but I’m looking into double majoring in American studies and psychology. And minoring in journalism and Asian studies. That way more career paths are open to me or even grad school if I find it necessary. Miguel has committed to attending the University of Notre Dame this fall.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN:

MM:  My advice is to get involved with your school and extracurriculars, but don’t overwhelm yourself.

ADVICE FOR RISING SENIORS (Class of ‘ 23):

MM: Don’t waste any minute of your senior year. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel but a lot of work still has to be done. And especially don’t procrastinate on your college applications. Start researching colleges you want to go to and apply to a good variety. Also, make the most of your senior year! It’s the last time you might see some of these people so leave a good impression.

On a personal note, I’ve known Miguel for over a decade at this point. I consider him a brother. I’m extremely sad to see him graduate, but I’m also beaming with pride. Watching him grow into a widely successful young man has been a fantastic experience and I know he’s just getting started. Miguel has seen me through my highest heights and my lowest lows. He’s always been a guy I can talk to. He is one of kindest, funniest, most genuine people I’ve ever met. I’m so happy for him and can’t wait to see what he does next. – Marcus Bobbitt