Senior athletes reminisce on their high school sports careers
June 8, 2022
Following the conclusion of the high school sports season for the 2021-2022 school year, seniors Danielle Gonzalez and Justice Harper reflect upon their experiences as student-athletes.
Varsity small forward Justice Harper works on his one-handed slam dunk during practice for the Birmingham Community Charter High School Patriots.
Senior athlete spotlight: Justice Harper
Why did you decide to join the basketball team at Birmingham Community Charter High School?
Because I’ve been playing basketball my whole life so I didn’t really have a choice.
What motivated you to keep playing basketball?
Winning and playing games.
How would you describe your overall experience playing high school basketball?
Could have been better. Could have been better
Looking back, how have you changed as a person as a result of playing high school basketball?
Everything I knew I could do and I knew I would do, I can do now.
What will you most cherish about your time playing softball?
Probably the feeling after winning.
Varsity softball left fielder Danielle Gonzalez hammers the ball to left center field during her team’s March 30 matchup against the Providence High School Pioneers.
Senior athlete spotlight: Danielle Gonzalez
Why did you decide to join softball your freshman year?
I decided to join softball because it was a sport that I have always been interested in and I thought it was a good way to start off my high school career and make friends and adjust to high school life.
What motivated you to keep playing softball?
Honestly,… I was just playing for fun and I didn’t put any pressure on myself. It was just fun bonding with all my teammates and coaches and just getting out there and playing.
How would you describe your overall experience playing high school softball?
My first two seasons were shaky. They were not good. I spent them on the bench but then my next two seasons on varsity they were really good. I would describe it as fun. Obviously, they were stressed because they were varsity but fun.
Looking back at these past four years, how have you changed as a person as a result of playing softball?
I’ve changed because I’ve become more open to stuff, like meeting people because softball is a team sport so you’re always talking and meeting new people. So it’s made me become more social and helped me be more like myself.
What will you most cherish about your time playing softball?
I will cherish all my memories, like my first time on the field this season running out there and definitely my senior night cause that was really magical and it showed all my four years and it showed off all my hard work. It was cool to see everyone there with their posters celebrating me.