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October 31, 2024
Last week, one of our alumni from the first graduating class at SkyView Academy came back to visit with me and take a look around campus. This young man was an outstanding student and a talented multisport athlete during his time here. Fortunately, we have been able to stay in touch over the years. During our recent meeting, he mentioned that next year will be the 10-year anniversary of his graduation from SkyView, a milestone I hadn't realized was approaching. Ten years ago genuinely feels like a long time ago, yet in some ways, it also feels like it was just yesterday. After catching up and showing him around, I asked him if he could speak to the high school boys' soccer program before he left that afternoon. As the head coach of the boys' varsity soccer team, I always try to take advantage of these opportunities. He graciously and willingly accepted this invitation without preparing anything to say, but knowing him, I believed he wouldn’t have a problem speaking to the team.
After introducing him to the boys and sharing some details about him, the first topic he brought up was perseverance. When this young man was in high school, he had a series of injuries that, from time to time, held him out of practice and games. He talked with the team about how to keep your head up through these difficult times and continue to fight because you’re going to get through this. He also tied this into using these struggles as life lessons. Sometimes, negative things are going to happen, but you have the strength to persevere to get through them. It’s also through the difficult times that you can appreciate the good times that much more.
This led him to his next and final topic of enjoying these times in high school and appreciating them. At this point, he asked who the seniors were, and the 3 great seniors we had on the team raised their hands. I think he felt this last thought would really resonate with them in particular. He continued by looking back at his high school years. It goes by in a blink, though it doesn't feel like it at the moment. He said to appreciate the times you have in such a special place and to try to enjoy them along with the ride that comes with it. It didn’t necessarily have to be sports-related either, it could be a theater performance, a class you took that you enjoyed, or the relationships and friends you make with other peers, teachers, and coaches. These experiences will help mold and shape the person you will become, so acknowledge and treasure them when you can.
These topics and lessons this young man spoke of apply not only to life in high school but to all stages of life. I was just so proud to hear this coming from a SkyView Academy alumni and a student and athlete I was lucky enough to have taught and coached.
Miles Martin
Dean of Athletes
Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
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11th Annual Veterans Day Assembly | November 11th
We look forward to honoring the Veterans in our community on Monday, November 11th, during our annual Veterans Day Assembly. We invite all veterans to join us and be acknowledged. If you would like to honor a veteran who cannot be in attendance, please submit information on the RSVP form. Submissions for the slideshow are due no later than Friday, November 1st. NO late submissions will be accepted.
Given the significant turnout we expect for this event, we kindly request everyone to RSVP in advance. Your early response will greatly assist us in ensuring a smooth and efficient check-in process. Please take a moment to fill out the form at your earliest convenience. The assembly begins at 2:00 pm and the doors open at 1:30.
As part of our Veterans Day celebration, we are asking students to write an essay on the impact a veteran has had on their lives. Please see the attached document for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact: Jessica Lui, jlui@svak12.org.
