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Crimson Bears softball seniors to be honored on Saturday
- Klas Stolpe
- 9 hours ago
- 8 min read
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé team ceremony at 3 p.m. on Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park field
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears softball seniors will be honored at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23, on the Adair Kennedy Memorial Park field. JDHS plays their Southeast Conference rival Ketchikan Lady Kings at 7 p.m. Friday and at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The following are questions the Juneau Independent asked of the seniors who participated, and the answers they shared.
ALAYNA ECHIVERRI, “Layna,” No. 1, centerfield
Q: What does it take to be a JDHS player and wear the uniform?
A: Being a JDHS player takes commitment, hard work, and being a good teammate both on and off the field. Wearing the uniform means representing our school with pride, showing respect, staying disciplined, and always giving your all.
Q: What are you proudest about doing (outside of sports) while attending JDHS?
A: Outside of sports I am most proudest of my growth as a person while attending TMHS and JDHS. Throughout the years, I have learned how to balance school, work, responsibilities, and athletics while continuing to push myself personally and academically.
Q: Advice to your freshman self (and young student/athletes)?
A: I would tell my freshman self and younger student/athletes to trust the process, enjoy every moment, work hard, be coachable, and be confident.
Q: What do you bring to the game?
A: I bring determination, positive attitude, and energy.
Q: Plans after high school and goals?
A: I plan to become an Ultrasound Technician, and my goals for the future is to be successful, and keep up good grades.
Q: Favorites?
A: Food: Dumplings. Movie/show: “Grey’s Anatomy.” Music: R&B. Book: I do not have one. Hobbies: Golfing, hanging out with friends, tanning. Quote: “Make good choices, be safe, I love you.” - From my mom.
Q: What would be the perfect graduation gift to receive?
A: Something to remember from home.
Q: If anywhere, where would you take your parents and/or siblings?
A: I would take them to Greece.
Q: Something most people don’t know about you?
A: I love Capybara’s.
Q: How long can you go without using a cell phone?
A: Depends on what I am doing, but I could go a couple hours.
MARLEE GINES, “Adrianna,” No. 31, right field
Q: What does it take to be a JDHS player and wear the uniform?
A: It takes a ton of dedication and always having your teammates' backs. Wearing that uniform means showing up ready to work, cheering loud from the dugout, and playing with total pride.
Q: What are you proudest about doing (outside of sports) while attending JDHS?
A: I’m definitely proudest of how much I’ve grown as a student and an artist. Pushing myself in my classes while spending hours working on my drawings taught me a lot about discipline.
Q: Advice to your freshman self (and young student/athletes)?
A: Don't be afraid to try new things, even if you feel like you're starting late. I didn't start playing softball until sophomore year, and it ended up being one of the best decisions I made.
Q: What do you bring to the game?
A: I bring high energy, lots of hype for my team, and total focus out in right field. Thanks to my cheer background, I’m always ready to keep the team spirit up, and being an artist helps me lock in visually on the ball.
Q: Plans after high school and goals?
A: I'm staying local for college at first to get my general classes out of the way. After that, I plan to transfer to another school to major in graphic design and hopefully keep cheering too.
Q: Favorites?
A: Food: Chicken Alfredo. Movie/show: “Hoppers.” Music: "Shameless" by Camila Cabello. Book: I don’t really have one, I would rather spend my time drawing! Hobbies: Drawing and sketching anything and everything. Quote: “Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” — Lou Holtz.
Q: What would be the perfect graduation gift to receive?
A: Honestly, a super soft, cozy custom photo blanket with pictures of my friends, cheer squad, and softball team from high school would be perfect.
Q: If anywhere, where would you take your parents and/or siblings?
A: I would take my family down south to California. I would love for us to experience the constant sunshine, warm weather, cool city culture, and spend a ton of time hanging out on the beaches.
Q: Something most people don’t know about you?
A: Most people just see me on the field or at games, but I am actually a huge artist and have been drawing for as long as I can remember.
Q: How long can you go without using a cell phone?
A: If I am focused on something really important, like a major game or a busy tournament weekend, I can easily go a week or even a whole month without it.
REEGAN HANSEN, “Reegs,” No. 2, outfield
Q: What does it take to be a JDHS player and wear the uniform?
A: Leadership, grit, and knowing when to have fun and when to be serious.
Q: What are you proudest about doing (outside of sports) while attending JDHS?
A: Time management being able to hang out with friends and family while attending school playing sports and working.
Q: Advice to your freshman self (and young student/athletes)?
A: Do not take feedback as a negative, use it as something to grow.
Q: What do you bring to the game?
A: Positive attitude and being loud.
Q: Plans after high school and goals?
A: Attend OCC in California, get an associate's degree and become an ultrasound technician.
Q: Favorites?
A: Food: Mexican. Movie/show: “Just go with it.” Music: Pretty much everything. Book: I don’t really read. Hobbies: Hanging out with friends. Quote: “God gave you what you could handle.”
Q: What would be the perfect graduation gift to receive?
A: Anything nostalgic to make it feel like home when I am at college.
Q: If anywhere, where would you take your parents and/or siblings?
A: All over Europe, like Italy and Greece.
Q: Something most people do not know about you?
A: I used to have a barn with a horse and chickens when I lived in California.
Q: How long can you go without using a cell phone?
A: A good amount of time.
MICHELLE MEEKS, “Shelly,” No. 5, Left field
Q: What does it take to be a JDHS player and wear the uniform?
A: Being hard-working, respectful and always having a good attitude.
Q: What are you proudest about doing (outside of sports) while attending JDHS?
A: I am proud of keeping up with my grades and getting through high school.
Q: Advice to your freshman self (and young student/athletes)?
A: To always try your best and never give up.
Q: Plans after high school and goals?
A: I will attend the University of Montana and study anthropology.
Q: Favorites?
A: Food: Cheez-its. Movie/show: “Tangled." Music: N/A. Book: N/A. Hobbies: Playing volleyball. Quote: N/A.
Q: What would be the perfect graduation gift to receive?
A: A new laptop or money.
Q: If anywhere, where would you take your parents and/or siblings?
A: Greece.
Q: Something most people don’t know about you?
A: I was born a month early.
Q: How long can you go without using a cell phone?
A: 1 week.
GWEN NIZICH, “Gwennny/GL,” No. 11, pitcher/utility
Q: What does it take to be a JDHS player and wear the uniform?
A: Deep commitment, perseverance, self-discipline.
Q: What are you proudest about doing (outside of sports) while attending JDHS?
A: I maintained a 4.00 GPA throughout high school while playing three varsity sports, and participating in National Honor Society and student government.
Q: Advice to your freshman self (and young student/athletes)?
A: Embrace your strengths, be confident in your abilities, and surround yourself with people who make you better.
Q: What do you bring to the game?
A: I bring passion and energy to the game because I take heart in being part of this team.
Q: Plans after high school and goals?
A: I will be attending Concordia University Irvine to major in biochemistry and pursue a degree in the medical field.
Q: Favorites?
A: Food: Strawberries. Movie/show: “Outer Banks.” Music: Alternative Rock. Book: “Many Someday” by Colleen Hoover. Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, hiking, sewing. Quote: “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” - Coco Chanel.
Q: What would be the perfect graduation gift to receive?
A: Flowers.
Q: If anywhere, where would you take your parents and/or siblings?
A: Switzerland.
Q: Something most people don’t know about you?
A: I was born with six toes.
Q: How long can you go without using a cell phone?
A: I could go forever without my phone if I am surrounded by nature and good company.
MIRANDA RIDGEWAY, No. 10, pitcher and left field
Q: What does it take to be a JDHS player and wear the uniform?
A: It takes dedication, discipline, love for the sport, having open communication, being able to listen to feedback, be a good team player, have good energy, and to have fun.
Q: What are you proudest about doing (outside of sports) while attending JDHS?
A: For choir class I had a few solos and traveled to music fest that was all really fun.
Q: Advice to your freshman self (and young student/athletes)?
A: I wasn’t able to play my freshman year, but to every other young athlete just make sure to stick through softball even through the tough times. It is such a fun sport to play and you will make so many friends. The memories you make and the skills you learn is something that is so meaningful and special. Especially make sure to not let anyone tear you down and if people do try to use that to your advantage to work harder and prove them wrong.
Q: What do you bring to the game?
A: I feel like I bring very positive energy to the team. I try to make sure I hype up eveyone even if the energy is low.
Q: Plans after high school and goals?
A: I plan to attend UAS for two years, and then after two years I am planning on going out of state and continuing softball.
Q: Favorites?
A: Food: Chicken Alfredo. Movie/show: N/A. Music: “Pyramids” from Frank Ocean. Book: N/A. Hobbies: Going on rides, walks, and softball. Quote: "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." - Proverbs 31:25.
Q: What would be the perfect graduation gift to receive?
A: I don’t really know of any graduation gifts, but money would be nice.
Q: If anywhere, where would you take your parents and/or siblings?
A: I would definitely go to the Caribbean or Hawaii.
Q: Something most people don’t know about you?
A: I am from Knoxville, Tennessee, and I have also lived in Wrangell and went to Mount Edgecumbe.
Q: How long can you go without using a cell phone?
A: I can be off my phone for as long as I need to, but I am almost always on it.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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