Hang Loose!
2009 Count On Me 2012
Kindergarten. It was promotion day and my class is about to
perform Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride with all our dance moves
and cute little leis. Tiny, little Sophia walked up on stage and
looked down at the audience.
That’s my family!! I thought as I found them in the crowd.
Then I saw that they had a camera and became scared. I guess
this is when I learned I had stage fright, or at least fear of
being recorded while performing. The music began and we
started dancing.
There's no place I'd rather be
Then on my surfboard out at sea
Lingering in the ocean blue
And If I had one wish come true
I'd surf till the sun sets
As the song came to an end, my nerves had gone away and I
had lots of fun. Our families were cheering us on and telling us
how well we did. I felt happy, really happy.
I remember that performance I had with my classmates. Our
teachers worked hard to coordinate this dance and I could
remember the look on their faces as we completed the dance.
It was a face of joy, the one you make after something you
worked extremely hard on turns out well. Though many years
has passed since then, I still treasure the dedication of my
teachers and the abundance of love they had for my class.
They have made a huge impact on me and they are the reason
I became so involved in performances, even if I’m scared.
My kindergarten teacher was moved to be a third grade
teacher, so I had her again. Fun! I loved her very much and she
would always play the ukulele for us. In the spring of 2013, she
taught our class how to play the ukulele and we even got our
own. Mine was blue, a pretty baby blue… but it broke after a
few years. Anyways, we learned many songs and in May, we
put on a benefit show and raised $4,500 for a charity cause!
One of the songs we played was Count On Me by Bruno Mars.
When we learned this song, my teacher told us that
throughout the hardships in life, we must always remember
our loved ones who are there to support us. She told us to
maintain good relationships with our friends and family.
I think about this from time to time. I know my friends from
my previous Catholic school have drifted from me simply
because we don’t go to school together anymore, but we still
see each other because of volunteering around the parish. I’ve
missed them a lot, but I am also blessed to have met new
friends that I could always rely on as well.
You can count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you
like four three two
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Friends Forever 2017
SInce I went to a Catholic school, we had a full-on graduation
for our eighth grade promotion. We had an entire week of
graduation festivities starting on Monday with a late start day
with no classes and only musical rehearsals all day.
Tuesday and Wednesday we performed a musical and had lots
of fun, though the preparation leading up to it was exhausting.
Thursday was a fun day. My class went to Disneyland for an
entire day. We took a bus ride up to Anaheim and came back
very late. That day was filled with fun and adventures as well
as lots of rides and thrills.
Then came Friday, the convocation ceremony. I received way
too many awards and ended up being the valedictorian of my
class. Then Saturday was the actual graduation mass and I had
to give my speech. I cried knowing I had to leave my friends
for high school and all I could do is hope that our friendships
remained intact.
At the banquet after, there was one song that played which I
remembered vividly. My friends and I were in this giant group
hug and we were crying and singing together as we knew our
lives were about to change. It was a bittersweet moment and I
miss each of them dearly.
As we go on, we remember
All the times we spent together
As our lives change, from whatever
We will still be, friends forever
I'm So Lucky 2018
When I came to Mater Dei during my freshman year, I knew
no one and the transition was difficult. That year I had many
social issues and was left alone for a lot of time. Toward the
end of the year, I met a group of people, some I had classes
with, some I didn't know at all. We didn't talk over the
summer and didn't get to know each other much.
Then came homecoming of sophomore year. We went to the
football game together and decided to make plans for
homecoming that night. Naturally, a group chat was made and
it has stuck even to this day. It was at this moment that our
friend group was formed and I was very blessed to have a solid
group of friends to support me.
We have had many dumb adventures and lots of memories
made within this past year. From those late night food runs to
beach bonfires and movies nights, I am grateful for the times I
have with them. Though our time is running out and college is
around the corner, all we can do is make the most of the time
we have with each other before it is all gone.
Thank you for today, Tomorrow yesterday
Every day and night, I wanna thank you for believing
I’ve been listening to you all along
Put it to my faith, I just feel amazing
Every day and night, You make me feel alive
 experienced anything like this before. I have no regrets and I
You're the Best Part 2019 cherish our friendship immensely.

It was a Wednesday, February 27, around 4pm. I had just You're the coffee that I need in the morning
gotten out of track practice and there was a volleyball game in You're my sunshine in the rain when it's pouring
the gym, so I decided to go and support my friends. When I
…
walked in, I saw this guy from the other team with a manbun
right in front of me on the court and I kept looking at him. Oh, you're the best part
Eventually, I decided to do something.
♥
"Hey, you're kinda cute, can I get your Instagram?"

He seemed caught off-guard, slightly flustered, and very

confused. He took a few moments to recollect himself, turned
to his friends and said:

"What just happened?"

I stood there, kind of awkwardly waiting for him to turn back.

He eventually did and I gave him my phone to put in his
Instagram username.

Fast forward a few months and now I'm dating him… We went
to homecoming together and as we left, there was a song
playing in the back.

You don't know, babe, When you hold me

And kiss me slowly, It's the sweetest thing
And it don't change, If I had it my way
You would know that you are

He pulled me into a tighter hug and began singing to me as we

were in the middle of Balboa Park alone in the dark. It was a
special moment, he was my first real boyfriend and I've never