CAITLYN CROOK / Class of 2021 Time, so simple yet so complicated. Going through my last year here at Derry Area High School, it is nothing like I imagined it to be. Coming in as an underclassmen, opportunities that were nonexistent in middle school and elementary school suddenly began to widen. More sports were offered - clubs, electives, and so forth. As for me, I couldn’t wait to finally begin to take classes to help me decide what to do after high school as well as participate on the track and field team. What I did not realize is how fast they would fade. When Grandview was being remodeled our second grade year, they didn’t realize they were also remodeling our bonds by creating a unison of all three schools. I first would like to give a thank you to my coaches throughout the years from basketball and soccer in elementary school, to my track and field coaches in high school including Coach Curcio, Coach Mylant, Coach Rager, and Coach McNichol. Without you guys I would not be shaped into the athlete I am today. You four have pushed me to be the best version of myself from developing my footwork freshman year to being by my side as I PR, or when you guys yell just “one more set” or “come on 15 more seconds do not give up now." Those are the things that I will not just remember for the gym or on my next throw. but for life. In addition I also thank my teammates throughout high school for not only being on my team but always being there no matter what. Track and Field is not only just a sport at Derry but a family, where when one teammate falls, the rest of the team picks them up. If you had to ask me my favorite memory from the past three years, I would probably not be able to tell you because everyday is a favorite memory with Derry Track and Field. When our season was cancelled last year, I was devastated. We put so much effort into practice and were going to be more than ready for the season. Not only that, but it hurt to watch my senior teammates leave without a final goodbye at what would be our last meet. It made me realize that you do not know how much time you have left in a sport. This taught me that you have to throw in every meet like it is your final throw or to train in the weight room as if it was your last time as a team in there, because it might just end up being your last. Furthermore, I would like to thank my family and teachers. If all of you were not in my life I would not be the person I am today. I can say that you guys are the major reasons for my accomplishments and my successes. You have prepared me the last 12 years to walk across the stage. From lying down rules to teaching us responsibility, and to assigning us homework and making sure we understood what we were obtaining , there was always a sense of relief and a smile at the end of every year. I will miss you faculty and teachers, and hope you can give other kids the gifts you have given me. During our junior year on March 13th of 2020, the unspeakable happened and everything stopped, except our drive to keep going. In just a few months, I will be known as a member of the Class of 2021 from Derry. It may just be seen as a title to some, but to my classmates and I, it is a lifetime memory. So I would finally like to thank my classmates. We have all stuck together through thick and thin and have spent more time together than we have with our own families. When Grandview was being remodeled our second grade year, they didn’t realize they were also remodeling our bonds by creating a unison of all three schools. As time moved on, we taught each other what it is like to be in a friend group, and how to collaborate with one another when teachers would assign us to groups. During our junior year on March 13th of 2020, the unspeakable happened and everything stopped, except our drive to keep going. I could not be more thankful for my class as we accomplished so much together and experienced so many obstacles. As we divide into our separate ways, our memories at Derry Area will be embedded into our minds and will never be forgotten. Thank you Derry for building my character, forever and always - the Class of 2021. CAITLYN CROOK / Class of 2021
JUSTIN HUSS | Senior As the final whistle blew and I realized it will be the last time I'll get to wear that blue and gold on a Friday night, tears filled my eyes. I thought about all my memories from playing football, from the first time having to have my mom help me put on my pads to the last time I'll take them off in that Trojan uniform. Thank you to everyone who made this journey in my football career the way it was. I wouldn't want to change one second of it. First off, I'd like to thank my parents for everything they did for me. From encouraging me to do my best, to taking me to all my midget practices, and for always supporting me unconditionally every Friday night and making sure you'd always be there for me. As the final whistle blew and I realized it will be the last time I'll get to wear that blue and gold on a Friday night, tears filled my eyes. Secondly, thank you to all my coaches along the way. Thanks to all my midget and middle school coaches for teaching me the game of football, but more importantly, thank you to my high school coaches: Coach Sweeney, Webby, Ox, Ronnie, GT, Haase, Po, Demo, Little Po, and Davie. Thank you for not only teaching me the game of football, but for all the life lessons along the way. I could never do what I did without you guys. I could never thank you guys enough for what you have done for me and this team. I'd like to thank the entire community for the support we got every Friday night. Thank you to the band, cheerleaders, first responders, friends, family, fans, and the Trojan Empire for everything you did for us. We would never be able to do what we did on Friday nights without your support every Friday night. Brothers for life, love you guys. Thank you to all my teammates throughout the years and for all the memories, good laughs, and good times we've all had together. Lastly, thank you to this senior class for making football some of the best times I'll ever have in my life. I'll never forget all the memories we've made together. I would never change one thing about our journey together throughout the years. Brothers for life, love you guys. That's a wrap. Always remember... Charlie Mike. #21... signing off. JUSTIN HUSS | Senior
KEELY MCKLVEEN | Senior As I embark on my last year in Derry Area School District, nostalgia begins to hit. As an underclassman, senior year seemed so far away. Now there are only three quarters left until I become an alumnus. After receiving our diplomas, we will all part our separate ways and begin a new journey. Some may choose to stay within the region, while others will expand their horizons. No matter where we go, Derry Area is the root of our futures. Similar to a tree root, our time spent in Derry has supplied us with the nutrients needed to thrive in today’s world. One nutrient I have witnessed throughout my time here is the true influence of community. In general, a community consists of people who reside in the same place; however, here at Derry Area, community is the union of individuals through school pride. If you were to drive through Derry township, you might drive over a Trojan head or a sequence of football helmets as you approach the school. What began in the fall of 2016 still continues to this day as members of the community came together to paint these symbols throughout our district. Not only do these symbols represent the victories of our football team but also the esteem for our school’s accomplishments. As a freshman, I remember cheering at my first football game and being astonished by myriad of blue & gold that pervaded the stadium. From freshman to senior year, I have observed school spirit being augmented by support from the community and members of our school district. Friday night lights are just one of many examples of the development of school pride. In general, a community consists of people who reside in the same place; however, here at Derry Area, community is the union of individuals through school pride. When you attend a football game, multiple actions will catch the eye of someone outside of the district and community of Derry. One might notice how both sides of the stadium are filled with blue and gold. Or how an entire section of students are dressed to an elaborate theme standing above a sign that is titled “Trojan Empire.” A title that conveys a multitude of students forming a strong unity of school pride. This group of students also includes the cheerleading and band members. During the band’s halftime performance, you will see the cheerleaders along with the empire supporting the band by encouraging them. While the game continues, one will hear the roar of our school’s pride as the empire, band, and spectators cheer along with the cheerleaders to “Giving me a D” spelling out our school’s name DERRY. For home games, the sound of sirens blaring will catch your attention as the trojans score a touchdown. At the conclusion of the game students congregated around the football players forming a tunnel and sway to the Alma mater. All actions that exemplify the support of people coming together to form the community of Derry Area. Our school community does not conclude with friday nights but instead carries on throughout the school week. Without the students and faculty who encompass the school, it would just be a building. Here at Derry, I have been blessed to have dedicated teachers who go above and beyond to answer the call of an educator. All faculty members have devoted themselves to laying the foundation of our character through its curriculum. Without the students and faculty who encompass the school, it would just be a building. When you hear the word "curriculum," words like math, science, and language arts come to mind but it is more than that, it is the values established in those classes. At Derry, the essence of our curriculum is to develop students into responsible citizens. All which is conveyed through are faculty who instill upon us values of honesty, hard work, and compassion. These values are taught by teachers aiding students to develop skills of team work, time management, and problem solving. Not only do Derry’s educators establish these values and skills within us, they invest time into us as students. When you enter the building or wall through the halls, there is always a faculty member there to greet you or carry on a simple conversation about how you are doing. They invest into the betterment of not only your education but also the environment of the school. After graduating from Derry Area School District, the sense of community established over the years is one thing that I am thankful for and will miss about my time here. I thank all of the teachers and faculty members who have invested into not only my education but the development of my character. To the underclassmen of the school, I challenge you to better this community and fabricate the school into the environment you want to be apart of. It was great for me. KEELY MCKLVEEN | Class of 2020
LAUREN ENOS / Class of 2019 The expression “time flies,” I found out was actually true as I am now a senior with 3 weeks left of school. There is so much to accomplish but such little time to do it. I have always wanted to grow up faster and faster so I could go to college. Now that the time has come, I’m excited but want it to slow down. Senior year definitely went by the fastest and if I could go back in time, I would have never wished it away. Although I can’t wait to get out of Derry and become more independent, college is a scary thought and way more difficult than high school. Being a student at Derry, I definitely feel prepared for college and to take on more responsibilities. There is something about maturing and “growing up,” that makes me excited to be on my own. I am going to miss having bonds and connections with teachers, because let's be real, in college professors don’t care about you like teachers do in high school. I appreciate all the extra help I got any time I needed it. Teachers here at Derry were always generous with their time with us students. Although all kids hate homework, I’m glad teachers teach us discipline with due dates. In college we won’t get reminded to turn in our homework, so I’m thankful that I learned sooner than later. Senior year definitely went by the fastest and if I could go back in time, I would have never wished it away. Extracurricular activities are huge here in Derry, and being able to be a part of several is an awesome experience. I want to thank Mrs. Bushey for all she does for us such as prom, providing several community service hours for us, and bachelor auction. Not only does she run all of these things, she makes them fun and enjoyable for us students. Chick-Fil-A-Leader Academy is a club I joined this year as a senior and we have gotten to impact so many people’s lives and we get free Chick-Fil-A, so it's a win win. Sports was a big part of my high school. The coaches here at Derry are the best of the best. I would like to give a big thanks to Mr. Smith and Mr. Spencer for making me into the person I am today. They have shaped me and taught me self discipline, patience, and mental toughness. I have learned to deal with situations in sports and in my everyday life the right way because of them. Mr. Long is the most supporting and encouraging principal and I am so appreciative of that. I know all the students here love him as a principal. He supports every student here no matter who they are. Not only is he supporting, he is accepting and determined. Mr. Long is every student’s dream principal. Thank you Mr. Long for everything you do for me! Your friends you choose impact the way you are and the way you act and it definitely shows. Friends and peers are a big reason for who I am today. Every school has “friend groups” and each and every one is different and great in many ways. My friend group has been the same since freshman year. However, as I got older, I chose my two best friends. In middle school, everyone was still trying to figure out who they were and who they fit in with. That is a part of learning who you are. Your friends you choose impact the way you are and the way you act and it definitely shows. Growing up in Derry, such a rural area, I appreciate all the land and space we have. I have no neighbors and I just now learned to appreciate that. My driveway is a mile long and I live in the middle of the woods. I used to complain when I was little that I hated Derry because I couldn't ride my bike in the neighborhood, or run over to my neighbors house and play. However, now I am so thankful that I can go outside and enjoy the peaceful town. Our school is easy to get too and not too big that you can get to know everyone. Our class sizes are also really small, for example I have 10 people in my Anatomy class and it is so nice. Derry, the town and school, has shaped me as a person and made me who I am today. I'm thankful for being able to experience life and being able to grow up in this town. I just hope football games are still as fun as they were for me after I graduate. Go Trojans! LAUREN ENOS / Class of 2019
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