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There’s a pretty good chance that last Tuesday night inspired the quiet origin story of a future champion. A large group of elementary school-aged students were on campus for a Sequoia sports double-header. First, they got to see our girls’ soccer team battle Hillsdale High School to a tie in the quest for a first-ever PAL Bay Division league championship.
Next, they moved inside to watch the girls’ basketball team take on Capuchino High School in a game that also had implications for their league championship. The young students (and likely future Ravens) were participating in Youth Sports Night, a promotion which allowed free entry to anyone under 14 wearing their team uniform.
The Capuchino game ended with a triple-overtime win for Sequoia amidst much stomping, yelling, and fist-pumping. The smiles on the faces of our guests surely suggest the dream of one day having the opportunity to compete on Terremere Field or the hardwood of Gym One. “Someday that’s going to be us!”
The place a large high school like Sequoia holds in a community is a special one. It’s unique from other institutions, particularly in the eyes of a child. When I chat with current students, more often than not their sibling or parent also attended Sequoia. Before they were old enough to be stressed about a math test or care about what happens in the College and Career Center, they probably felt the adrenaline rush of a touchdown pass, bobbed their heads to the beat in Carrington Hall, or startled to the airhorns of graduation day. These impressions strengthen the bond between our school and families in the area. This bond, in its best light, is a source of inspiration. It represents a promise: of continuity, connection, and optimism.
This inspiration works in both directions. Knowing that those girls who attended last week’s winter sports double-header reminds us that (very!) soon, they’ll be walking through shadowing as eighth graders, eager to make their own mark. As educators and parents, part of our job is clearing the path for their aspirations. Renewing our mission regularly to make Sequoia a place where opportunities exist for all kids, in the classrooms, labs, auditorium, gyms, and playing field. While the children of Redwood City and San Carlos picture themselves in Raven Purple, we’ll keep our end of the bargain to make sure the stages are set for their special “someday.”
Have a great week!
Best,
Sean
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