Seniors Corner: Missing Friday night lights

Annalee Luke

Seniors Corner: Missing Friday night lights

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS) students have not been able to experience the regular in-person school year. These seniors now have an opportunity to share their thoughts.

Annalee Luke
Vice president of Associated Student Body (ASB)

“I think the main thing that I’m missing is getting to experience and plan all the senior events such as senior homecoming and football game themes. We have such a build up to senior year, it’s the last hurrah and it’s potentially our last time to be amongst all the students in our class, and we’re all missing out on that,” Luke said.

Luke and ASB have been trying to keep up the morale of students.

“This year, even though we won’t be able to have the regular Friday night lights games, every Friday we will be turning on the stadium lights for 20 minutes and 21 seconds in honor of the class of 2021. We are also still planning on having homecoming kings and queens,” Luke said.

Not only is Luke involved in ASB, but she is also the vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Butterfly Effect Club on campus. After graduation, Luke hopes to attend Baylor University or California Polytechnic State University where she plans to study business.

Riley Merrigan
Captain of the varsity football team

“What I miss the most is battling with my brothers. I miss running out onto the field and having the
whole crowd behind me and a whole sideline behind me. I miss playing football,” Merrigan said.

Not only does he miss the Friday night lights, but he shares his struggles in school due to virtual learning.

“There really is no substitute to in-person learning. I feel like there is no accountability or motivation. There is no structure and I know the teachers are trying their hardest, but it’s just been very hard to keep up with everything,” Merrigan said.

If given the chance to go back to campus, Merrigan hopes to build some last memories with his team.

“I’m looking forward to having a full weight room with my team, and just sitting in the classroom with all my peers,” he said.

Merrigan hopes to continue his career in football in college while studying something related to business.

“Currently, the University of Washington Saint Louis and Carnegie Mellon are the two top schools recruiting me to play Division III football,” Merrigan said.

Izzy Hall
ASB treasurer and varsity lacrosse player

“I really miss the overall atmosphere of Friday night lights. I think that we, as seniors, are missing out on a lot of key moments like Homecoming and those games. I’m hoping that we can at least get some memories in as a class,” Hall said.

She explained her feelings on the changes made due to virtual learning.

“I think the way they cut down the amount of classes we have to take this year is nice. It helps
us adjust to this different way of learning,” Hall said.

She was excited to play her last season of lacrosse if able to go back to in-person learning.

“Our season last spring was cut early due to COVID-19, and I’m just hoping that we can come back this year and win CIF,” Hall said.

She committed to Dickinson College to play Division III lacrosse and plans to study political science.

Connor Colletto
4-year varsity soccer player

“I miss the Friday night lights the most. I miss being part of the student section and cheering on our team,” Colletto said. “In about a month, we would be trying out for soccer at school and it’s just sad knowing we won’t be able to do that.”

Colletto conveys his thoughts on the new adjustments made this year.

“This year has been better than last spring because I think it is a lot more manageable. However, it’s rough in the sense that I miss being able to see my classmates. It’s been so long since I have been able to see anyone in person and I just miss the experience of actually going to class,” he said.

Outside of SRHS, Colletto volunteers for the organization Build a Miracle and plays for San Diego Surf Soccer Club.

Colletto hasn’t decided if he will play soccer in college, but plans to attend the University of Washington or Clemson University to study business.