My Last Summer as a High School Student
July 5, 2021. By Athena Rapinan Time flies. I’m already going to be a senior in high school. It doesn’t feel real, especially since the pandemic has made half of my high school experience online. This summer I have been keeping busy with college classes and various activities. I am taking Fundamentals of Chemistry and Introduction to Ethnic Studies, which is a total of 7 units. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it for when I’m able to transfer all these credits over to college. I’m also partaking in an internship at Dr. Arthur Ting’s Rehabilitation Center, the same facility I worked at the previous summer. I really enjoy working there as the atmosphere is very lively and the people are fun to work with. This month, I also plan on attending a workshop for prospective pre-med students. I’ve been keeping myself busy. However, whenever I do have free time, I’ve been brushing up on my guitar skills. This includes learning a new song, “Hey There Delilah”.
My 2021 summer activities:
- Taking college courses worth seven units: Fundamentals of Chemistry and Introduction to Ethnic Studies
- Summer internship at Dr Arthur Ting’s Rehabilitation Center
- Summer homework for ACCEL English and Economics classes
- Visit college campuses and start college applications
- Attend medicine Brainterns workshop
- Participate on the Girls Academic 50 ID Camp, an Exact Sports soccer camp
- Renew soccer referee license
A letter and $50 gift from one of the clients I worked with at Dr. Arthur Ting's Rehabilitation Center.
This summer and first semester of senior year is a very crucial time for the college admissions process. This is when I either choose to start the process early, or procrastinate and wait until the last second to start filling out the college application. Oh, and don’t forget the essays! The dreadful essays! Before I go back to school, it’s my goal to have a list of colleges that I want to apply to, as well as some solid ideas for the essays I will have to write. Thinking about applying to colleges seems surreal to me. It doesn’t feel like I’m that old and already at that point of my life.
While I am busy with school work,college applications and other activities, I still want to make sure that I have fun and come back strong after a year-and-a-half of online school. I plan to do my best to make my senior year as fun and memorable as possible.
Thoughts During the Pandemic
May 1, 2021. By Athena Rapinan index Over quarantine I have done some self-reflection. I have had plenty of time to think about my long term goals, and what I hope to accomplish. While the pandemic was definitely a challenge to get through, I believe that I benefited from the experience: I was able to spend more time with my family, it gave me an opportunity to do well with my college courses, it
allowed me to recover well from my ACL injury, and it gave me plenty of time to do some planning. Here are some goals I’ve set for myself during the pandemic.
Pursue a career in the medical field.
This has been something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I want to grow up as a responsible and reliable adult, someone people will look to for help or advice. I find joy in helping others, and having a career in the medical field will definitely allow me to have a positive impact on my community. In order to accomplish this goal, I need to get accepted into medical school and become a physician; possibly an anesthesiologist.Visit the twenty one wonders of the world.
I want to travel to every continent, meet new people, and learn about different languages and cultures. I will also be looking out for volunteer and study abroad opportunities. The world is so big, and there is so much I haven’t seen yet. I want to experience the way of life in other countries as well. Some of the places at the top of my list include the Philippines, Greece, Japan, South Korea, France, England, the Nordic region, and Italy. (see image of Positano, Italy).
Become fluent in another language - Spanish and/or Greek
Making long term goals is a good start to ensuring that my future turns out the way I want it to be, and that I live life to the fullest. A TED Talk video I stumbled across on Youtube helped me gain confidence to pursue these goals. The video made me realize that I am more than capable of doing anything I set out to do. I don’t have to be the smartest person in the room to become successful. It all comes down to hard work, perseverance and grit.
The pandemic has been a learning curve for all of us, whether you are still a student or are already in the workforce. We are constantly adapting to what the world has to offer. We have learned to overcome these hardships, and ultimately learn more about ourselves through the process. I have taken advantage of this pandemic to plan out my future. I have made clear what I want to achieve, and will dedicate myself to doing so.
Attending college during my last two years of High School
April 2, 2021. By Athena Rapinan My last two years of high school will be held at Evergreen Valley College. This is made possible by the Accel Middle College program where high school students, like me, take their last two years of high school at a community college. Students receive high school and college credit, while taking all of their junior and senior classes at the local community college.
I believe this is a great program in putting me ahead in my college experience. So far I have completed three college courses: General Psychology, Calculus, and Art Appreciation. By the end of Spring 2021, I will complete three additional college courses: Statistics, Sociology, and Psychology 60 for Personal Growth & Adjustment. The remaining nine college course I plan to take are:
- Summer 2021: Chemistry and Ethics
- Fall 2021: English 1A, General Biology, and Nutrition
- Winter 2022: English 1
- Spring 2022: English 1C, Sign Language, and Human Anatomy
By the time I graduate high school, I would complete all my college general education requirements.
Advantages of Accel Middle College
- Allows students to complete their high school education while experiencing college.
- Students who participate in this program get a jump start to their future.
- There is a variety of classes that are offered which allows students to explore new majors and decide which one they want to pursue.
- One semester of a college class in this program is equivalent to one whole school year of an AP class at high school.
- College classes are offered throughout the day which allows students to have a flexible schedule.
Challenges of Accel Middle College
- I will not have a traditional high school experience as I will attend Evergreen Valley College full time.
- Requires a greater amount of responsibility and maturity.
- Transportation from the college to my high school for after school sports.
- Working with other college students who will be much older than I am.
Enrolling in this dual-enrollment program has allowed me to mature and make great progress in my education. Taking college courses has been a great experience, making me more prepared and excited for what lies ahead. Despite some of my doubts prior to applying, I’m so glad I decided to make this change. I have no regrets, and have also improved myself as a student when it comes to study habits and time management. Being a part of a dual-enrollment program at your local community college is something that all high school students should consider.
My First Internship
September 6 2020. By Athena Rapinan During the months of June and July, I interned at Dr Arthur Ting’s Rehabilitation Center every Wednesday and Friday. This was my very first internship, so it was exciting to take part in something I have never done before. My fellow interns and the other trainers there were really welcoming, and I was able to make new friends with both my coworkers and the patients that I worked with.
I met many interesting people during the internship, the majority of the patients being student athletes. There were also a few professional and high level athletes that I met, such as footballer D.J. Jones from the San Francisco 49ers. Aside from all of the young and rising athletes, there were also ordinary people that received training from our instructors.
My job required basic knowledge of kinesiology, knowing how to operate the modalites, and what exercises to instruct the patients to do based on their injury. When a patient first walks in, I would set them up on a H Wave Muscle Stimulator and apply heating pads on their problem area. Then, I would guide the patient through their warm up. When the patient is done, an experienced trainer would take over and work with them. Once the patient finished their workout, they still have four remaining modalities to get treatment from, and my job is to set them up on those machines. It’s also my job to clean all the equipment and machines the patient has used with a disinfectant.
I was able to take away a lot from this experience, and it is safe to say that I have also changed because of it too. This is everything I have learned and accomplished from my internship:
With the abundance of knowledge and experience I gained from this internship, I am learning how to help people recover from surgeries or other injuries. I not only achieved one of my summer goals by completing this internship, but I also became more interested in the human body, and have been inspired to go into a medical field. I am glad I have had the opportunity to do this internship, and would have loved to extend it longer if it wasn’t for Covid19 concerns and restrictions. I am looking forward to my next summer internship.
- I learned the benefits of the modalities, what they do, and how to use them
- Improved my confidence and communication skills
- I learned about different exercises and drills that can help improve speed, agility, strength, balance, and efficiency
- I learned about the different processes and milestones postoperative patients have to go through
My 2020 Summer Goals
June 1, 2020. By Athena Rapinan I have set five goals that I would like to accomplish by the end of summer break (August 31). These goals will help me stay productive over the summer.
- Study for the SAT
- Intern at Dr. Ting’s Rehabilitation Center
- Get my driver’s permit
- Complete Spanish 3 course
- Run at least two miles a day
My academic goals over the summer include completing an online Spanish 3 course. I am taking Spanish 3 to fulfill the recommended amount of foreign language. Along with taking Spanish 3, I also plan on studying for the SAT. I want to be prepared to take the test by the end of the year, and learn the effective and efficient ways to solve problems.
Although SAT prep and taking a Spanish 3 class doesn’t sound too interesting, interning definitely is. Ever since I tore my ACL about six months ago, I have been attending Dr. Arthur Ting’s Rehabilitation Center. The environment there is always positive and uplifting, and I enjoy going there for physical therapy. Having the opportunity to intern there is exciting because I can help people, just like how others helped me. In the future, I want to go into the medical field, so this is a great opportunity to get a taste of what that feels like. There are also a lot of cool gadgets that I will be able to use to assist others as an intern, which is pretty cool. Since it has been six months since my ACL surgery and two months of staying at home due to Covid-19, I want to get back to my old routine. In order to prepare for the upcoming soccer and cross country season, I plan to run at least two miles everyday. I need to get my stamina and strength back. In addition, getting my driver’s permit will also be very exciting. I have already completed driver’s ed, so the next thing I have to do is study and pass the permit test. I can’t wait to practice driving with my dad once I get my permit, and get my driver’s licence by the end of the year.
All of these goals that I have set for myself will help me stay busy over the summer. Despite the harsh reality Covid-19 has brought upon the world, I plan to make this a memorable and productive summer.
Recovering from ACL Injury
January 2, 2020. By Athena Rapinan
On November 9, 2019 I tore my left knee ACL during a soccer game. The timing of this incident was terrible. I had an upcoming CCS Cross Country championship race, starting my second year of high school soccer, and three scheduled College Showcase Soccer Tournaments in San Diego, CA, Lakewod Ranch, FL and Las Vegas, NV. The injury temporarily held me back for participating in any of these events that I worked hard to get to. Sports take up the majority of my life, and tearing my ACL did change it a bit.
On November 25, I got my ACL replaced (the tissue used to repair my ACL was from my kneecap) with Dr. Arthur Ting, a renowned sports medicine doctor in the Bay Area. Should you need a sports medical doctor, I highly recommend Dr Arthur Ting. The surgery went smoothly, and to be honest, my mom was more scared for me than I was scared for myself. The worst part of my experience with the surgery was the intravenous (IV) injection. Otherwise, I did not feel a thing.
On December 4, I had my first day of rehab at Dr. Ting’s Sports Medicine facility (which offers high-tech sports medicine treatment). The rehab facility and trainers that work there are amazing. They have many cool high-tech machines and equipment, and the trainers are both helpful and fun. Within just two weeks I hit the milestone of walking without crutches.
On December 30, five weeks post-surgery, I reached 90 degree flexion, which is what I am supposed to achieve in six weeks. Dr. Ting said I am doing great, and that I am one of the lucky ones to progress well. At rehab, I am mostly working on getting full range of motion back in my knee, but recently I have also started to work on footwork and kicking the ball.
Currenntly, I am doing two hour daily rehab during winter break. When school resumes on January 6, I will be doing rehab three times a week. I plan to fill my time with other activities such as officiating youth soccer games, taking guitar lessons, helping out at my club soccer games, supporting my school soccer and track teams by serving as team manager, and focusing on my academics and school clubs.
Looking ahead, I'm looking forward with Dr. Ting’s functional training where I will focus on speed and strength. Then, in just a few months, I’ll be back on the field with my team. I know I will come back stronger than ever. I am motivated and can’t wait to get back to my old routine.
Exciting New Soccer Adventures
October 13, 2019. By Athena Rapinan
This season, I joined the Barcelona Bay Area (BBA) soccer club. My 04G National Premier League (NPL) team competes at the NPL Champions League. The Champions League is a whole new level of competition which is more intense and exciting. Getting out of my comfort zone and joining a tougher team has already made me a bigger threat on the field.
With BBA, I am a starter in the offensive line up. I play center forward or wing, which is different than what I am used to as an attacking midfielder (a position I played well with South San Jose Alphas White 02G and Blue 03G teams for three years). This is a good change for me since I will become a more versatile and well-rounded player.
Before joining BBA, I tried out with MVLA ECNL 04G and Earthquakes DA 04G. These teams were the champions of their respective leagues in the nation last season. In short, I didn’t make neither of these teams. Fortunately, the Earthquakes DA head coach recommended I join its sister or feeder club BBA. He thought I would fit in perfectly with the team. I’m glad I joined as I am now the starting striker, getting a lot of playing time, and successfully contributing to team’s offense. My hard work is also being noticed by the coaches as I have been invited to play up in two Earthquakes Development Academy (DA) games. I am officially a part time Development Player for the San Jose Earthquakes DA 04G team. Check out my team profile here: http://sjeq.ussoccerda.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=12070580I am happy with the team I am on now. The coaching is great, training is more intense, and my teammates are a lot more competitive. Being the new girl is never fun and nerve-racking. Trying out for a new team is even worse and always intimidating. Looking back now, I was nervous for no reason. My lesson learned is to remember to be myself, work hard, and don’t worry about making mistakes. It will all pay off at the end.
I Made Three Varsity Sports Teams as a Freshman
April 24, 2019. By Athena Rapinan One of my goals as a High School Freshman was to make the varsity team in three sports. I managed to achieve this goal, and made the varsity cross country, soccer, and track team. It took a lot of hard work and dedication to reach this goal, but I am glad I stayed determined.
Cross Country – Fall, August to November 2018
My cross-country season was a lot of fun and a great experience. I competed in the National Junior Olympics Championships, broke a couple of school records, and was the girls’ MVP. My coaches and teammates certainly made the season very memorable and exciting.Soccer – Winter, December to February 2019
EVHS girls varsity soccer team had a lot of talent, but we didn’t do well. The team finished sixth out of eight teams in the league.There were key challenges that the team faced, including substitutions, line ups, and conditioning issues. I am looking forward to the next season as I know we will be more competitive.
Track – Spring, March to May 2019
In track, the events I ran were the 800, 1600, and 3200 meter distances. I was one of the top distance runners in each event I ran. I broke myschool’s freshman record for 1,600 meters,improved my personal record, and competed at the Central Coast Section (CCS) competition – CCS is the governing body of public and private high school athletics in the northern section of California.I was fortunate to make all three varsity teams in my freshman year. The experience taught me to be more competitive, work harder, and work well with others. I had a lot of fun and I can’t wait for next year.
Hockey Road Trip
February 24, 2019. By Athena Rapinan My family and I visited three hockey arenas during the President’s week. So far we have visited six out of 31 arenas. From each arena we visit, my brother buys a hockey puck representing the arena and team we visited, and displays them in a hockey puck case. Over a course of five days, we drove out of state to Phoenix, Arizona, and then made our way back to Anaheim and Los Angeles.
Phoenix Coyotes vs Toronto Maple Leafs. Saturday 16 February at 5pm
Gila River Arena at Phoenix, Arizona
- The game was a lot of fun. Our cousins from Arizona joined us to watch the game which made our overall experience more meaningful.
- The Coyotes won 2-0. I expected Maple Leafs to win, but the the Coyotes played well at home and shut out the opponent. Whenever the Coyotes were on a powerplay, the fans were howling like Coyotes to energize the home team.
- The arena looked older. Inside, curtains were used instead of walls to seperate the seats from the concourse. Outside, the arena is surrounded by cool shops and restaurants, which creates a fun and lively environment to be in.
Anaheim Ducks vs Washington Capitals. Sunday 17 February at 6pm
Honda Center at Anaheim, California
- On Sunday morning, we drove from Phoenix to Anaheim. Just before the game, we checked-in to the hotel just outside Honda Center, a five minute walk to the arena.
- The Ducks won 5-2. After the 2nd period, the game was tied at 2-2, but the Ducks controlled the game in the 3rd period scoring three more goals which electrified the fans.
- Honda Center is a nice arena with Palm Trees in front of the building, marble floors, nice and big team store, and trendy concessions. This arena was also my first NHL game ever sitting in the lower section which made our overall experience even better.
Los Angeles Kings vs Washington Capitals. Monday 18 February at 7:30pm
Staples Center at Los Angeles, California
- This was the most exciting game to watch. The Kings put on a great pre-game show, and played hard throughout the game. Although, Ovechkin and the Capitals outplayed the Kings.
- The Kings lost 3-2. They fought hard and almost tied the game, but ran out of time.
- So far, this is my favorite NHL arena. The arena is beautiful, the lights and laser shows were very entertaining, the intermission shows were fun to watch, and the music that were played can easily lift up anybody’s mood. The LA Live area is a happening place.
My first hockey road trip with my family was fun and a great experience. All the arenas we visited were large, unique, and beautiful, and were surrounded by shops and restaurants, which made the overall experience better. I made many memories on this trip, and I can’t wait to make more when we visit Chicago for our next family trip, and watch a few playoff games in the nearby cities.
My 2019 Goals
January 4, 2019. By Athena Rapinan Last year, I accomplished nine out of the eleven goals I had set for myself. This year I hope to do even better, and
accomplish all the goals that I have. For 2019, I will focus on my health, sports, school, and music. Below are my 2019 goals.
- Complete freshman year with 4.0 GPA
- Complete 1st half of sophomore year with 4.0 GPA
- Drink at least 8 cups of water a day
- Improve handwriting and calligraphy
- Write five blogs about school, sports and travel
- Be healthy – be active, play sports and eat less snacks and junk food
- Practice playing Ukulele at least once a week
- Read five non-school related books
- Compete in the National Cross Country Junior Olympics
- Be the top school varsity player and runner for Soccer, Track & Field, and Cross Country
- Speak Greek once a week with family members, or use Rosetta Stone and Duolingo
- Re-paint, declutter, and organize room
- Take a summer class (choose one): guitar, piano, dance or photography
- Participate in two Soccer College ID Camps
- Join two school clubs: one in spring and another one in Fall
These are my 2019 goals. I am confident I have what it takes to accomplish all of these goals.
My Cross Country Experience as a Freshman at Evergreen Valley, Fall 2018
November 18, 2018. By Athena Rapinan My first season participating in Evergreen Valley High School Cross Country has been both nerve racking and exciting. Although the races could be very overwhelming, joining the sport is still rewarding. As a freshman, I was fortunate to be the top runner for the varsity girls. In my first season, I have made many memories and even made some new friends.
This season, I have made a few significant accomplishments:
- I was awarded MVP of the season for the Varsity Girls.
- I have broken the school record for the freshman 2.74 mile distance, and finished as the 2nd fastest freshman runner in the school history.
- I competed in the USATF National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships in Reno, Nevada on December 8, 2018.
Additionally, I met the following personal goals:
- To finish first place in one of the league meets. I accomplished this during the MHAL League Meet #3.
- To be the fastest runner in my school’s women varsity team. For every race we participated, I finished first for my school.
- To be the fastest freshman in one of the invitational meets. I accomplished this several times where I finished as top freshman runner: BVAL Championship, Crystal Springs Invitational, and a couple other races.
For our cross country meets, we ran at different locations with varied distances, difficulties, and competitions. To view my Athletic.net profile, please click here. Below is a chart of all the races I have ran, and the results.
Athena's 2018 Cross Country Season Results Date Race Name
(Click link for official results)Distance
(Miles)My Rank
(Place)# of Runners
(Varsity Girls)My Time
(Minutes)9/6/2018 MHAL League Meet #1 2.74 2nd 28 20:05.0 9/8/2018 Lowell Invitational 2.93 55th 187 19:50.7 9/13/2018 MHAL League Meet #2 2.74 4th 28 19:30.5 9/15/2018 Farmer Invitational 3 28th 180 19:58.2 9/29/2018 Scott Bauhs Invitational 2.95 13th 67 20:08.1 10/6/2018 Crystal Springs Invitational 2.95 12th 128 20:12.6 10/13/2018 Monterey Bay Invitational 3 22nd 172 20:58.9 10/17/2018 MHAL League Meet #3 2.74 1st 26 18:44.9 10/20/2018 Mt. SAC Invitational 2.93 9th 108 20:15.0 10/24/2018 MHAL League Meet #4 2.74 4th 26 18:36.2 10/29/2018 BVAL Championships 3.11 (5,000 meters) 4th 55 19:49.0 11/18/2018 CCS Championship Meet 3.11 (5,000 meters) 53rd 121 21:09.8 My overall experience of joining cross country has been great and rewarding, and I want to join again next year. For now, I am moving on to my next high school sport: soccer.
High School, Here I Come!
August 2, 2018. By Athena Rapinan It is hard to believe that I am going to be a high schooler. Summer break went by so fast, and it does not feel like I completed middle school two months ago. With high school starting in a few days, I have been thinking about the changes that I will undergo as I attend Evergreen Valley High School, home of the Cougars.
I have also been thinking about the SAT tests lately as I will be taking them sooner or later. I am also thinking about driving, yes I will be driving in two years! Exciting times, but also overwhelming. I plan to make my four years at EVHS count, and I have made some goals to help me have a successful and fun high school experience. Below are the goals I have made for my freshman year.
- Obtain a 4.0 or higher GPA for the school year
- Participate in three varsity school sports
- Cross Country
- Soccer
- Track and Field
- Stay active and participate in school events and activities
- Join clubs
- Volunteer
- Tutor
It will be fun working on these goals, and I am looking forward for a successful freshman year.
My Eight Grade Experience
June 22, 2018. By Athena Rapinan This school year went by so fast, and I cannot believe I already finished middle school. I can now officially call myself a high schooler, and will be attending Evergreen Valley High School this fall. I am excited, yet a little anxious as I do not know what to
expect. This time of year is bittersweet because I am leaving the home I was just getting used to, and am getting separated from some of my close school friends. At the same time, it is summer, and this is the time to relax, have fun, and be a kid. This year, I am proud to say I finished my eight grade school year with a few awards I am proud of. I have also made strong friendships along the way, and many memories that will last a lifetime. Here are my eight grade school year accomplishments:
1. Four Principal’s Honor Awards – with hard work and dedication, I managed to achieve 4.0 GPA each quarter. As a result, I earned the Principal's Honor Roll award each quarter.
2. Scholar Athlete of the Year Award – I earned this award by getting straight A’s while making a difference in Quimby Oak’s school sports. I participated in soccer, track, and cross country. Only one person for each gender gets this awards per grade.
3. Cross Country MVP – since I contributed the most to the eight grade girls cross country team, I was named MVP.
4. Soccer MVP – with my school soccer team, I played all positions, (except goalie) and contributed to the success of the team with goals and assists.
5. Made a Few Good Friends – I made a few good friends from both the sports teams and my classrooms. My friends made school so much fun, and more memorable. I am glad I have met all of them.
My eight-grade experience was the best school year I have ever had yet, and has been my favorite one. Although I am a little frightened of the thought of going into high school, I am ready for a new challenge in life. This is a new chapter, and I am up for the challenge.
Family Trip to Cabo San Lucas
March 10, 2018. By Athena Rapinan Last month, my family and I went on a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We stayed at Cabo Azul Resort. During our stay, we rode horses, saw baby leather back turtles, swam in the beach, enjoyed the swimming pools, and had a blast playing many games of beach volleyball along the ocean side. My family and I had a great time.
This trip will always be memorable to me because my brother, dad, and I went horseback riding for the very first time alongside the beach while my mom enjoyed the sunset and the beautiful sceneries. We also witnessed 100 baby leatherback turtles being released into the ocean. While the turtles were walking into the ocean, the jobs of the spectators were to keep the birds away. My brother and I spent our days swimming at the pools and at the beach. We played volleyball and soccer with other tourists, participated in resort’s activities and met a few friends.
I had a great time during our trip to Cabo, made memories that I know I will remember for a lifetime, and I can’t wait to go back. I will see you soon, Cabo!
Why we need another dog
February 25, 2018. By Athena Rapinan We got our first dog, Buddy, on July 2016. Since then, life has been different. I have learned and gained new responsibilities from owning a pet. Buddy, our almost two year old Maltipoo, has contributed much to the family. He gives us his time, love, and his unwanted messes.
Although he can be a pain sometimes when cleaning up after him, there are still many things that I enjoy about him. Buddy is soft, playful, loyal, and protective. I like bringing him on walks, playing outside, and snuggling with him.
Whenever my family is home, he gets all the attention in the world. However, when we are not, he is all alone, sad and lonely. That is why we need another dog - to give Buddy another playmate. Not only will the new dog serve as Buddy’s new friend, but it would also give us a new family member to play with. There will be less fights between my brother and I about who gets to hold the dog. I could already picture my brother and I walking the dogs together and how fun it would be.
If I were to choose which dog we would get, I would ask for another Maltipoo. They are friendly, playful, and affectionate. I think an apricot colored one (as shown in the picture above) would be perfect. I can’t wait until we can get another dog.
My 2018 Goals
January 5, 2018. By Athena Rapinan Every year, my family and I create goals to make our year more exciting and productive. I believe setting up these goals help me achieve the things I want to accomplish, and has assisted me in grasping all of the successes I have had in my lifetime. Having goals obligate and push me to do things I may not want to do, and that is a good thing. This year, I feel confident about the goals I have set for myself, and will strive to complete all of them before 2019. Here are the goals I have set for myself for 2018.
My Hockey Experience
August 15, 2017. By Athena Rapinan I joined an inline hockey team at the Silver Creek Sportsplex this summer. There were a total of four teams in my league, with one girl on each team. I played as a defender on a team called the Wildcats. We practiced once a week, and had ten regular season games, one playoff game, and a championship game. The practices were fun, but the games were intense.
Joining a team made me a better skater and hockey player. I learned how to control and shoot the puck. It also helped me understand the rules of the game. My team did really well. We were second overall in our standings during the regular season. We played good, worked hard, and won the playoff game. For the championship game, I was very nervous, but we ended up winning the game 3-2. It was a very close game, scoring in the last five minutes.
My overall hockey experience was better than I thought it would be. Not only did I improve at hockey, but also got great exercise out of it. I am so glad I joined a hockey team. It was such a great experience that I am considering playing hockey next summer, too.
Update on my Bucket List
July 29, 2017. By Athena Rapinan It has been almost two years since I have written my first bucket list. So far, I have completed thirteen items and I’m adding ten new ones. My goal is to finish as many of these activities as I can throughout my lifetime. I know this will take me on many great adventures and I will learn much along the way.
Here are my bucket list items I have completed:
- #5. Go parasailing
- #7. Learn to skateboard
- #12. Learn to speak Greek
- #16. Learn to play guitar
- #17. Learn to play piano
- #18. Learn to play saxophone
- #35. Become a better cook and baker
- #36. Learn to paint art work
- #37. I want to learn how to braid hair
- #39. Learn to use chopsticks
- #44. I want to get a dog
- #47. Learn to knit hats
- #48. Make charms out of clay
Here are the new ones I have added:
- #51. Get a part time job at age 16
- #52. Open an investment account before age 21
- #53. Visit all 50 States
- #54. Visit all 7 continents
- #55. Open a bank account by age 18
- #56. Buy a house by age 25
- #57. Create a YouTube video with 10K+ views
- #58. Learn how to play basketball
- #59. Coach a team
- #60. Meet a few San Jose Sharks players
I can’t wait to see how many items on my list I can accomplish in the next year or two. It will be lots of fun and I can’t wait to go on my next adventure.
My Seventh Grade Highlights
June 24, 2017. By Athena Rapinan I finished my seventh grade school year with several achievements: I earned seven awards, joined two sports teams, got straight A’s each quarter, and made a few good friends. Overall, I thought seventh grade was a blast.
- Four Principal’s Honor Awards – with hard work and dedication, I managed to achieve 4.0 GPA each quarter. As a result, I earned Principal's Honor Roll award each quarter.
- Scholar Athlete of the Year Award – I earned this award by getting straight A’s while doing well in sports: soccer and cross country. Only one person for each gender gets this awards per grade.
- Cross Country MVP – one person for each gender was named as the most valuable player. Since I contributed the most points for the seventh grade girls cross country team, I was named MVP.
- Most Versatile Player Award – this award is given to me after the soccer season. With my school soccer team, I played all positions, (except goalie) and contributed to the success of the teams with goals and assists.
- Cross Country Team – this is my first time participating in cross country competition, and I’m looking forward to 8th grade cross country.
- Soccer Team – soccer is my favorite sports and I have been playing competitively since I was eight. I’m glad I joined my school soccer team.
- Made a Few Good Friends – I made a few good friends from both sports team and my classrooms. My friends made my school environment and activities much more fun, even math!
Like always, nothing is ever perfect. Seventh grade was not easy. The most challenging for me was managing my extra-curricular activities, school work, and sports all at the same time. With the help of my parents, friends, some perseverance, and hard work, I did well.
I am so excited for the new school year to start and to go through a whole new experience.
Cross Country at Quimby Oak - what a blast!
December 27, 2017. By Athena Rapinan I joined my middle school cross country team to stay fit. It is a sport where I have to run long distances and compete in challenging courses against other runners. When I joined the team, I did not think I would do well. The outcome surprised me. I was one of the top runners in the 7th grade girls division which include ten to fifteen different schools, and number one 7th grade girl runner for Quimby Oak. For eight straight weeks, my team and I practiced four days a week, and had races once a week. For each practice and race, we ran between two to three miles.
The toughest race I competed in was the League’s Finals held at Christmas Hill Park located in Gilroy, CA. The runners in the League’s Finals were the best of their respective schools. Christmas Hill was also very hilly with almost 3 miles of unpaved path, and it is the longest and toughest course among all locations I competed in. Even though my cross country journey was really tiring, it was all worth it. Below are the highlights and results of my races.
Athena’s Cross Country Highlights and Results – Quimby Oak Fall 2016 Date Race Location Race Name Total School Competing Personal Time Division Rank - 7th Grade Girls 9/8/2016 Chaboya, San Jose, CA Chaboya Showdown 4 12:35 2nd 9/15/2016 Christmas Hill, Gilroy, CA South Valley Invitational 15 15:14 1st 9/22/2016 Christmas Hill, Gilroy, CA Solorsano Invitational 12 15:08 6th 9/27/2016 Montgomery Hill, San Jose, CA VC and Willow Glen 5 16:29 2nd 10/4/2016 Montgomery Hill, San Jose, CA Division Finals 7 16:36 3rd 10/13/2016 Christmas Hill, Gilroy, CA League Finals 15+ 14:26 4th
Meet Buddy
July 14, 2016. By Athena Rapinan
Meet Buddy, a playful three months old Maltipoo, born on April 27, 2016. Buddy is our newest member in the family. When we took Buddy home, my life changed from good to awesome.
When we arrived at the breeder’s house, there were a lot of cute puppies to choose from, but Buddy was the first dog I laid my eyes on. With his cute face and adorable light brown ears, it is hard not to fall in love with him. At the end of our visit, we had two dogs to choose from: Buddy or another cute dog with curly hair and big round eyes. Buddy was our final choice.
On the way home, we stopped at a Petco store to get a few items for Buddy: a cream colored bed, a big crate, puppy food and treats, bowls, toys, a dog carrier, a leash, puppy soap, and poop bags. Already we paid a fortune for this little guy, but it is all worth it!
Buddy is enjoying his new home and has gotten used to us. Recently, I noticed a few characteristics that I did not see before: he has grey eyes, is super soft, playful, smart, easygoing, and has a little light brown spot on his back which makes him even cuter!
I am so glad we have Buddy. It will be a good experience taking care of him. Although he still needs some training, buddy is already adding much joy and happiness in my home. I love you Buddy!P.S. I can now check off #44 off my bucket list. Also, although it took almost a year, my letter to my family worked..
Moving On
May 8, 2016. By Athena Rapinan Next month I will be completing an important milestone, and will be moving on to the next stage of my life – I am graduating sixth grade, and moving on to middle school.
The thought about going to middle school is nerve racking, but exciting at the same time. It is bitter sweet because I am leaving the school where I spent seven wonderful years, but I have to move on to the next chapter of my life.
In middle school, I will have six teachers, six periods, and six different groups of about 25 classmates. Also, there are going to be school sports like soccer, and different electives to choose from, like leadership. All of these changes are super fun. With all of my new classmates, I am sure to make new friends.
Norwood Creek has been a great experience for me, and I am completing six grade with three gold honor rolls, perfect attendance certificate and super citizen award. Most of the students, teachers, and staff are nice. I have had great school years with all of my previous teachers, and I am having a blast in six grade, with my teacher, Mrs. Baker. I am very excited to go to middle school because I know it will be as fun as Norwood Creek.
Below is a quick video of my Norwood Creek classrooms and teachers from kindergarten to six grade. Enjoy.
My first Folk Dance Festival (FDF) competition
March 31, 2016. By Athena Rapinan On February 11, 2016, I attended a Folk Dance Festival (FDF) competition with my dance group in Anaheim, California. FDF is a Greek Orthodox folk dance and choral festival, held every year, where dancers from different Greek churches all over United States compete. My dance group was competing against twelve other groups. FDF was fun, exciting, and I enjoyed being there with my friends and family.
Competition Preparation
In preparation, we had to practice singing and dancing, for four months, once a week, and later on twice a week for two hours each day. Also, during some of the practices, we had to wear different costumes that we were going to wear during the competition. When we were at FDF, we practiced the nights before, and the mornings of the performances. It took a lot of hard work and time to prepare for the competition.Opening Ceremony
During the opening ceremony, all the dance groups from different cities were introduced. There were a bunch of people, loud and up beat music, and lots of laughter. I have not seen that many Greek people in one big room in my life! When we were introduced, my group and I waved our flag and screamed our church’s name. Some people also danced, clapped, and some even did gymnastic flips. Although the opening ceremony was short, it was really fun.Competition Days
I thought the competition days were fun and intense. I remember watching all of the groups before us perform, and they were really good. Watching them made me even more nervous. When it was our turn to dance, I started to feel excited. After each performance, I felt relieved and happy.Closing Ceremony
During the closing ceremony, they served dinner, presented awards, and had a concert. The dinner was a four meal course where they served different appetizers, salad, a main dish, and dessert. The awards were presented throughout the dinner, and our group won best costume award. After the award ceremony, there were two Greek singers, Eleftheria Arvanitaki and Master Tempo, that performed. My mom and I stayed to enjoy the concert.Even though my team just won a costume award, I had a great time with my friends and family. FDF was exciting, fun, and a great experience. I really hope I get to go to FDF next year with my group, and have another awesome time.
This is a short video taken at FDF. Hope you enjoy it.
My First Pets
January 27, 2016. By Athena Rapinan It was just after the Thanksgiving holiday when three members were added to our family. We decided to get three parakeets: a blue one named Speedy, a green one named Angel, and a white one named Beauty. Having birds are like having a younger brother or sister- you have to play with them, take care of them, and feed them.
Each bird has their own personality: Beauty is loyal, friendly, and looks like a dove. Angel is shy, quite, friendly, and has big beautiful eyes. Speedy, on the other hand, is fast, friendly, and always making a big mess. When the birds are all together, they play around and make cute little noises. It is cool listening and watching the birds play together.
Having birds are great. It is like having more people in the house to play and care for. I love watching and playing with the birds, it is so much fun! Although we have birds, I think we are still missing something - a dog!
Ten tips on caring for Parakeets: http://www.10spot.net/articles/parakeet_care_tips.html.
Opa, Yassou, Psomie - It's all Greek to me
November 12, 2015. By Athena Rapinan According to my parents, my first words were: “nani” (sleep), “nero” (water), “gala” (milk), “mamma” (mom), “baba” (dad), “giagia” (grandma), “pappou” (grandpa), “kota” (chicken), “psomie” (bread) and “bala” (ball). These are all Greek words.
Since I was a baby, I was exposed to the Greek language. Whenever my older Greek relatives came over, they always spoke Greek to me. Since I thought learning Greek would be fun, at age six, I started taking lessons at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. I go twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays. Today, I know how to read, write and understand it well, but I do not speak Greek as fluently as I want to.
Recently, I have started using a new application called Rosetta Stone which I hope will help me with speaking Greek. So far, I am on the right track to becoming a fluent Greek reader, writer and speaker.
This is a video of my mom and I speaking Greek (the video is under construction).
This is why I want to learn how to play guitar
September 19, 2015. By Athena Rapinan I have been wanting to learn how to play guitar. I like the way it sounds, the way it looks, and just learning how to play it is awesome. Playing the guitar would be such an accomplishment. My goal by year end is to learn two songs.
Recently, my family and I went to a shop called Guitar Showcase. The Acoustic Guitar I got came with five picks, a bag, and a tuner. When we came home, I started to play with it immediately. I knew I would have a great time playing this musical instrument.
There are three ways that will help me learn how to play the guitar:
1) Private lessons at San Jose Academy of Music.
2) Free online lessons with JustinGuitar.com.
3) Practice ten minutes a day.If I continue with this plan, I will learn to play it in no time. Playing guitar is cool, it is a good skill to have, and I will complete another item on my bucket list - that is why I want to learn to play guitar.
My Bucket List
September 3, 2015. By Athena Rapinan I have been thinking about a lot of stuff I want to do, so I created a bucket list. In my bucket list, there are three rules: I may add more to the list, I may not remove from the list, and I will do everything I can to achieve them. Below is my bucket list.
In my bucket list, I have six categories: sports, musical instruments, travel, language, what I want to do when I grow up, and just some random stuff. The items on the list are things I would like to accomplish now and in the future, but some of the items I may never do, and it is okay.
After putting my list together, I feel super excited in completing them. I am especially looking forward to learning how to play the guitar. I think that is the first thing I will do because it is the easiest item to complete. Overall, I am happy with my bucket list and hoping to achieve all of them.
An open letter to my family: why we should get a family dog
August 19, 2015. By Athena Rapinan Dogs are great family pets. They can make you laugh and happy. Dogs also can provide great company. With a dog, our family will be even more complete.
Did you know that dogs can improve your health? Dogs keep you on your feet, reduce stress, and improve your mood. Dogs are also great fun and could be your best friend! If you are having a bad day, your dog will be there for you to cheer you up. Additionally, having a family dog will create great memories. These are the reasons why owning a family pet is a great idea.
Below are the three dogs that I thought will be good for our family. When we get one, we can name it Sydney.
West Highlands are so cute. Golden Retrievers are good dogs for the family. The American Eskimos are playful dogs. There are a lot of reasons and benefits on why we should get a dog. A pet to play with and a dog to take care of are good enough reasons for me. I hope we get one soon.
FIFA Women's World CUP 2015 in Vancouver. What a great experience.
June 16, 2015. By Athena Rapinan On June 16, 2015, my family and I watched a FIFA Women's World Cup game - USA versus Nigeria - in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We were all very excited as it was our first time participating in a world sports event. The game was held at BC Place Stadium - a beautiful stadium used during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The USA versus Nigeria soccer game was very exciting - the crowd was loud, people were happy and chanting "USA," "USA," "USA," and it was so much fun being there. My family and I were rooting for the USA team, and most people were wearing red, white, and blue. We were also wearing our USA shirts and each of us had our own USA flag.
During the game, I thought it was very cool to watch the players control the ball, pressure the opponent and try to make a play. My favorite part is when people were chanting "USA," "USA," "USA" very loudly. Overall, the game was really fun, and the fact that USA won the game made it a wonderful experience. I hope we can have another opportunity to watch a global sports event in the future.
The game was about to start. My family and I were so excited. My brother and I at the "fan zone" after the game. Getting ready for the game. Players were being introduced. Pick up soccer game with other kids outside BC Place Stadium.
My Life as a 5th Grader
May 17, 2015. By Athena Rapinan Being a fifth grader could be complicated, but also really fun. I like my teacher, I like all my friends, and all the fun activities we are doing. I am going to miss 5th grade.
Looking Back
For the past three trimesters, I have been working hard to get good grades. I have been doing great on tests, assignments, and other activities. From all my hard work, I have received three honor-rolls, perfect attendance, and super citizenship awards. Fifth grade is fun: my teacher gave fun activities, we went on super cool field trips like the one to science camp, and I have made new friends.
Finishing Up
Fifth grade is almost over. In about three weeks, I am moving on to become a 6th grader. Since it is the end of the school year, my class has been doing a bunch of tests and projects. I have taken the state tests, star exams, and physical education tests. However, I still have the following projects to complete: expert project, bio project, song parody, poem book, and a story to write. Since I participate in band at my school, I also have a music concert coming up. I play the alto saxophone and I am excited to show my classmates and parents what I have been practicing. My extra curriculum activities like soccer, Greek school and dance are also ending soon.
Looking Ahead
Lately, I have been thinking about my future as a 6th grader. I am looking forward to 6th grade and I think I am going to enjoy it. After 5th grade ends, I will be in a summer program to prepare for the next school year. This summer will be exciting. My family and I will be traveling to different places. We are planning to take a few trips, and I am so excited. The places we may visit are Alaska; a trip to the California national parks (Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite); Women’s FIFA in Vancouver, Canada; Las Vegas, Nevada; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago, Illinois. I cannot wait!
Although 5th grade is really fun, I am looking forward for the future - sixth grade, summer school, and all the summer trips. For now, I will enjoy what is left of 5th grade while I can.
My Favorite Family Trip
April 29, 2015. By Athena Rapinan The road trip to Yellowstone National Park is one of my favorite trips. We went on the trip in August 2012 for two weeks. I was almost 8 years old at the time. My family and I traveled a long way and spent a lot of quality time together. We went through five cities and states (Reno, NV to Salt Lake City, UT to Idaho Falls, ID to Jackson Hole, WY and to Gardiner, MT), and two national parks (Yellowstone and Grand Teton). According to my dad, we put in almost 3,000 miles from our home all the way to Yellowstone and back.
This trip is my favorite because I got to spend quality time with my family. In the truck, we sang songs, talked, and played games. One of the games we played was counting how many Toyota Prius were on the road. Also, in this trip we got to visit many sightseeing places, and we explored some of the most scenic, fun, and beautiful places. In Yellowstone, we saw geysers, hot springs, and wild animals such as bisons and elks. Each place we visited on this road trip was fun. My favorite ones were Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole, and Idaho Falls.
Vacations are a lot of fun, but going on a road trip with my family is even better! I can't wait for our next family road trip.
Game On!
April 7, 2015. By Athena Rapinan At age 5, I started playing recreational soccer at the Silver Creek Sportsplex. Today, I play competitive soccer at NorCal and CYSA leagues for U10 and U11 girls. I have always loved the sport. On this blog, I will share with you why I like soccer, how I prepare for the game, and what happens during and after the game.
Why I Like Soccer.
I like soccer because it is an exciting sport and I get good exercise. I am always moving, kicking, or passing the ball. After each game, I feel good and happy. Also, soccer is a fun sport. I get to meet new friends and we get to work together as a team. That is why I like soccer.Before The Game.
Whenever my dad and I drive to the game, he would ask me: what are you going to do today? I would then answer: I will play safe, play hard, and have fun. My dad would ask me that question as a reminder on what I need to do during the game. When I get to the game, I always warm up by doing stretches, passing drills, and running.
During The Game.
Soccer is a team sport. We work as a team to win the game. Everybody on the field has their own position that they are responsible for. Each team plays with 11 players on the field. I mainly play defense and midfield. My goal as a defender is not to let the ball pass me, so the opponent does not have an opportunity to score. My goal as a midfielder is to make good plays, control the ball, and try to help out the defenders and forwards.
After The Game.
Win or lose, I always have a great time. After each game, we would line up to high five the other team, the referees, and then we would run to the parents to high five them too. Right after that, my team would meet to discuss what we did right and what we need to improve on. My coaches take their time to talk to us about the game.
Playing soccer is my favorite sport. What is yours?
Helping Others
February 27, 2015. By Athena Rapinan My dad and I had a couple opportunities to volunteer at a shelter organization called Loaves and Fishes, located at Saint Maria Goretti Church, and fed homeless and families in need.
On the days I volunteered, I helped prepare the food, served fruits and bread, and mopped the floor after dinner. While I was serving meals, I observed three things:
- Food was not wasted.
- People said please and thank you.
- They also took extra food home for their families.
I also learned a few things while volunteering:
- It is good to help others.
- Appreciate what you have.
- Try to do good things.
When I was there, I also made some new friends, Vanessa and Sara, which I hope to see again sometimes soon. Volunteering was actually pretty fun, and I can not wait to do it again. You should try to volunteer too!
Serving food at Loaves & Fishes, January 16, 2015 Preparing food at Loaves & Fishes, February 6, 2015
Blog archives...
