Recipient Testimonies
Each year we have the privilege of awarding students with their very own jacket. Read here what a letterman jacket means to them.
Winter 2024
Awarded in volleyball, basketball, track, and golf
Receiving a Letterman Jacket would mean a lot of things to me for a lot of different reasons. During my four years in high school, I have never missed a sports season. Every fall season I was playing volleyball, one year of junior varsity and the rest of the year's varsity. Every winter trimester I was playing basketball, competing at the varsity level all four years of high school. In the spring I competed in softball one year at the varsity level, track for two years at the varsity level, and this year I decided to go out of my comfort zone and try something new, golf. I love competing and working hard as well as just being a part of a team. My parents and grandparents got me to start competing as soon as I was in school and I have loved it ever since. Basketball especially was the sport I fell in love with.
I have gone to camps, done summer leagues and tournaments, as well as other off season basketball events all year round for as long as I can remember. I also received all league awards for three out of the four years I played. I fell in love with the game, the intensity, the finesse, and having the opportunity to improve at it every single day. I had great coaches and teammates that taught me so many life lessons outside of basketball.
A Letterman Jacket to me would be something that can always remind me of everything I learned while playing sports and all of the accomplishments I achieved. It will be a reminder of the resilience I gained and would be a symbol of my favorite high school memories. Every single one of my favorite memories from high school are from playing sports and creating memories and friendships through sports. I created bonds with my coaches and teammates that have lasted and meant more to me than any sport ever could. A Letterman Jacket would complete all the hard work and relationships that have come from sports.
Winter 2024
Awarded in choir, band, speech and debate
As a recent transfer to this school, my perspective on the high school has been uniquely defined by having the opportunity to not only be a part of the school, but also to get to meet it for the first time. Swapping schools in my senior year, there was a lot of pressure as I left behind all of my previous activities, friends, etc. and transitioned to a fresh environment. I was proud to see that they welcomed me with open arms. Joining Student Council, becoming the School Board Representative, and having the opportunity to join band and choir and be on the speech and Debate Team provided ways to integrate with this unfamiliar community. For me, I can't say that this high school has been a lifelong home. I can’t say that this will remind me of kids I’ve known since I was three. But what a letterman jacket would remind me of is the incredible year I’ve spent here. It would remind of coming off of a harsh transition and feeling more accepted than I ever had before, and having the opportunity to grow my own family for my year in Rockaway. While my time at here may have been short, it will be a reminder of my unique- and incredible- experience getting to spend time with this community
Fall 2024
Awarded in volleyball
A letterman jacket would mean a lot to me. It would be a memory that I played the sport that I like the most, a memory that I achieved my goals. I would also be showing my family what I am capable of, and showing everyone else that even if I am an exchange student I was able to achieve many things. To follow the generation of my dad and brother, who also came to this same school and demonstrated what Mexicans can do. And finally I was able to demonstrate that I am a strong, brave woman who has achieved everything she set out to do.