I am sure everyone starts their Senior Salute similarly, but I think it's because no one really realizes how fast the 4 years can go. Reflecting on my past four soccer season at Saint Mary's I can honestly say I have made an infinite amount of memories with the ladies who grew to become my best friends and my family away from home. Of course I would never have made it through college without the support of my wonderful mom, dad and two sisters-who have been watching me play soccer since I was five. I don't even want to think about how many hours they've given up to watch me play the sport I love. I hope that my family knows they have and will continue to play the biggest role in my life, they are my rock, and I hope the letter I wrote to my family this year for family day really let them know how much I appreciate them. I am dedicating the rest of my senior salute to the people who I've grown decently fond of here at SMU haha. I also hope everyone understands how many grammatically correct papers people are required to write in college (all of them), so I have opted to write this one in a “text-like” fashion. Enjoy.
Here are the coveted “shout-outs” in no particular order;
Coaches-
Neil Cassidy- I wish I could write using a sweet British accent, but I don't know if that is possible-plus I wouldn't want you to say I sound like Mary Poppins. Honestly though I cannot believe you have only been our coach for one year, I feel like I have known you for ages. I was nervous about having a new coach our senior year, but the way you came onto the team and formed us into a family was truly amazing. We could not have asked for a better coach, all we could have maybe asked for was you as our coach for four years instead of one. You pushed us and encouraged us to do our best even if we didn't get the result. I cannot wait to see what the future brings for SMU women soccer with you as the head coach. I know the team has the best and most knowledgeable coach they could ask for. I cannot thank you enough for making our senior year the best year yet. You even let me be my crazy, obnoxious self without any consequences- and I loved that. Oh and I don't mind that you literally called me “Ashley “once a day, almost every day for the first few weeks. Your pre-game stories are so creative and original and your “iz us” might be my favorite line ever. But honestly there is no way I could thank you enough for everything you've done for me. You made me a better player (especially in the air) and you created a family bond that is irreplaceable. Thank you coach.
Jeff Halberg- You are the rock and the backbone of this team. You are the only one to stick it out all 4years with us seniors and we could not be more grateful for that. Since day one, you have always supported me and encouraged me even when things weren't going my way. Before games you even took the time to pull me aside and make sure I know the game plan and what I should focus on that day. I really appreciated that. I also want to say thanks for taking us all to England and showing us around. Honestly going to Englan with the team was the best trip of my life, and even though we were obnoxious you didn't send us back on the earliest flight possible. You are a great coach in tennis and in soccer and I will definitely be back to visit. Thanks for everything coach.
Jenn Geske- You have been a great addition to our team this year. I know you’re our goalie coach but I still learned a lot from you. Thanks for putting up with all my questions, especially the day about defending in the RAC. I am glad I got to know you this year, especially during our circle/question time I feel like I got to know you pretty well. Oh and I love how you call me “KBeeeeee” haha. Thanks!
Chris Dembiec- You are so good-looking. Sorry, but I know everyone has thought that, so someone had to say it.
First to all my upperclassmen-
Amy Sibik- I mean what can I say, you were pretty decent at soccer. I think you may have broken some records or something? Haha- your scoring abilities are irreplaceable (which we found out the hard way). I think we all know how to sum up how our soccer relationship worked, “we are to find Sibik's feet, for she is our god”. But now that our soccer careers are over I love that we are still friends and we continue to make crazy memories whether we are at WeFest or anywhere else. Just in the future keep your cat Moose (who screams like a small child) away from me when I am trying to sleep :) Love you.
Lauren Mazzuca- Mazz!! I'm not sure if you liked me when you first met me as a freshmen. I mean realistically you probably didn't haha but that's changed now. We have so much fun together, especially when you don't go missing. I’m glad I can straighten out your life but calling you out when you’re lying, like when you say “I don't know where I am, come get me”.Haha or helping you when you get lost driving... for hours. I honestly can't wait for how much fun we are going to have after I graduate and we are all living in the cities. Love you.
Kelsey Peyton- KP- a fellow Kelsey. Obviously there aren't words to justify how amazing you are. As Kelsey#1 you gave me high expectations to live up to and I'd say I lived up to/exceeded all of those expectations haha. We had so many good times- especially in England, which involve unspeakable stories, and also unspeakable lies that I still haven't forgiven you for. I am going to keep you in my life so someday you can make it up to me :)Oh and all that fruit you smashed into my wall. Geez. You are a bad influence- we should hangout more so I can straighten you out. Haha- just kidding. Love you.
Molly Spray- You are one of a kind. You have been such a good friend to me and I hope you think the same of me in return. Your life is so much more exciting than mine and I know your future is going to be action packed! Oh and whatever happened to your amazingly sparkly dance costumes... I want one! Haha :) Love you.
Mariana Sanchez- I know we don't chat much anymore, and who knows if you're ever going to read this but there is no way I could leave you out of my senior salute. You are one of a kind. I am confident in saying there is no way I will ever meet anyone half as amazing, talented, passionate, or giving as you. You are successful at everything you do and I don't even need to wish you luck in the future because I know you will achieve anything you want to. You are simply amazing and I hope you know how much of an idol you were in my soccer career but also in life :) I will come back to see you be inducted to the hall of fame someday. Love you.
Keirra Metcalfe- My twin! Well at least close enough to share an I.d.! Haha. You made every year feel like I was 21, you have sick dangles in soccer, and you know more than anyone how to have a good time. I don't know if you'd consider TownyTour as one of your best moments but it was seriously classic and I love all the great times I was able to have with you before you went back to Canada :) Love you.
Current Team Mates:
Freshmen: OMG I just noticed you 4 all have names starting with “M”... Weird
Miranda Halling- Momo fo Sho' sho'. You have probably one of the best nicknames I have ever heard. I am so glad you were one of our freshmen this year and we could make some good memories on the field and off (like at the Bank). I have watched you gain confidence over these past few months as a goalie and I am so excited to come back watch how great you will continue to become in the future. Also your baking was much appreciated this year- you knew exactly how to keep us seniors happy (with food) :) Love you.
Mari Longoria- Mari! (Pronounced with a super sweet accent). You are such a sweet girl and also a good cook just like Momo! The enchiladas you made for the team were awesome. I know we are going to have some more good memories once soccer season is over. Heal up that leg so I can watch you work it on the field next year! Oh and make sure you survive your first Minnesota winter :) Love you.
Mandy Lindholm- Oh Mandy :) you always make me laugh with how sweet and innocent you are. I absolutely love the shirt and rhyme you made for me in the beginning of the year...even though you mentioned my molting feet. Oh and I'm sorry about killing you at bowling, I just didn't know you were that terrible at bowling haha ;) You are a great girl and I can't wait to see how the next 3 years turn out for you. Keep your head up; you will get your time to shine. It might take a while to earn a spot but it will happen. I had to wait too. Love you.
Melissa Radermacher- You are such a great asset to the team. Coming onto the team as a freshman you really made an impact and challenged us seniors to work hard. I am so jealous of your left foot, keep up the great crosses. I can't wait to come back and watch you play in the future. Keep your head up no matter what. Thanks for all the buddy gifts (sorry I figured it out) Ha. Oh and also good-luck with honors, it only gets harder! Haha Love you.
Sophomores:
Katie Holmes- Aw my little Katie. You are just too fun to pick on. Let's be real, you are going to miss not having Ashley and I around. I know I drive you nuts but I swear it is only because I love you soooo much. Honestly though, I've loved playing soccer and watching you turn into such a great player. You work the outside like no one's business- oh and your first touches and crosses with the ball are killer. Love you.
Mackenzie Carlson- MACK! Haha just kidding, I know you hate that. Oh Kenz, you are our sweet little innocent girl, who is not so sweet and innocent on the field and I love that. You are such an amazing defender; honestly no one gets past you. Oh and you are pretty good at your sneaky little cheating ways during games in our practice :) Good luck in the future, don’t eat any babies, or be a baby. Oh and I better be invited to the wedding- I'm for real. Love you.
Tessa Scanlon- Bessa! You are one of my favorite people. Your leotards, feather earring, crazy style, and sunglasses- just everything about you is sweet. You are such an amazing player Tessa, I am for real. You need to stay healthy because the team needs you on the field. Keep being a leader on the team- you inspired me. Your energy is irreplaceable, especially your dancing and singing. Thanks for making senior year a blast. You singing warm-up songs for us when there wasn't any music were soooo nice of you Haha. Oh and your welcome for recovering your raccoon hat and not hitting back when you punched me in the stomach. I'll delete the video. ;) Magic. Love you.
Bethany Schmidt- Bessa! Bus buddy (imagine me starring and pointing at you with no words). You are so much fun and I appreciated all the effort you and Tessa took to bring us that delicious watermelon. I have loved playing these past two years with you and your interpretive dancing might stick in my mind forever. Just working hard as a forward and the goals are sure to come. I’ll be back to watch you play in the future. Love you.
Cassie Kujawa- I am so glad I got to know you this year. You really have developed into a great outside mid. I cannot believe how nice you were when you hurt your ankle- but if it happens again I'll beat someone up for you... and of course carry you again. Thanks for supervising my holographic Smokey the bear collectible sunglasses. It was a big sign of my trust that I even let anyone touch them. Haha. Love you.
April Rechlitz- Oh Ape. My girl. I remember when you got me in trouble. I feel like that might happen again in the future- it's inevitable. We have so much fun together- except when I'm being obnoxious yelling “True or False” and your trying to talk on the phone. Sorry about that. I was on a roll. But I am so glad you came out for the team so we could spend even more time together. You can always make me laugh and I think I am going to save that voicemail you sent me over the summer, forever. Love you.
Teri Valenzuela- Oh Teri- we have grown some sort of orange-ish bond I cannot even explain. I remember when you first joined the team (late... surprise surprise haha). You are one of a kind, and someone I have become very fond of, and not just because you are a fellow orange. I laugh so hard with you and you laugh at all the dumb stuff I say. I know you'll never forget the “True or False” and neither will Gregg. I can also almost guarantee someone else writes about that in their senior salute haha. I love that you have been able to go out with us so we could create non-soccer memories. Can’t wait for you to turn 21, my dad can’t wait either haha. You are the girl who witnessed me taking home my first underarmor- which was hopefully not the last, if you know what I mean. I don't think I could ever list all the stuff we've laughed about but I know our laughs won't come to an end anytime soon. We have my entire senior year still to hangout and I will definitely be coming back next year to watch you play soccer. You have turned into such an awesome player, keep up the confidence. And I guess keep letting people shove you down? But only if it benefits the team ? I know you won't have me to play you that awesome break-away ball but someone better do it- or else. Team Orange/Wednesday For Life. Love you!
Miranda Cole- Snooki! Team Meatball. You are my girl. Where have you been my whole life? You know it's weird to think your life wasn't complete until you joined the soccer team. Honestly we laugh so hard together and have way too many one-liners. We can finish each other’s song lyrics and take obnoxious pictures; we are the orange dream team. We get low (so low). And you introduced me to the life of tweeting... yes I am now a tweeter thanks to you. You love the “not sensitive one” just like I do. We are such a great team. Honestly I knew from day one when you said you were a dog person and hated cats (during one of our soccer circles) that we would become best friends. You also tried to take the purple marker during our soccer journals, but I got it first I think. Either way, the fact is we both wanted it. We are that cool. I am so excited to hang out with you the rest of this year- and hopefully we can have more good chats, like how in the world does that girl work that tube top so well?! Haha Luckily I met you before I graduated from this place. I will definitely be coming back to visit you. Team Orange/Wednesday for Life. Love you!
Junior:
Kate Rivers- Oh Skank Rivers (such a random nickname) I love that you let that name stick- well kind of. I might be the only one who calls you that. I'm sorry that you are going to be the only one on senior night next year, I feel like you are a senior with us. It's actually kind of cool that you will be the only senior. Make sure you run the show next year. Oh and definitely don’t give anyone a chance with those headers, I mean you seriously are so good at them! Lucky. I have had so much fun with you over the past 3 years and I am cannot wait to celebrate your birthday in January (best birthday month ever). Love you.
MY SENIORS!
Caitlin Cole- We missed you so much this year. Whether on the team or not you are still a great player and a great friend. I am so thankful I got to play with you for the 3years that I did. You have helped me become a better player and we definitely have had some good times. I cannot believe the girl I met freshmen year is married now. You are all grown up. I can't wait to see what else your future holds. Love you.
Cassie Hulett- Oh Cass, you are my favorite person to complain about honors to. It's always nice to know that someone is next to me in what seems like a sinking boat. If you haven’t noticed I wrote this whole senior salute in a “text” like form, because I don't want to write grammatically correct! I needed a break. On a lighter note, you are such a great goalie and we were so lucky to have you in the net behind us. You are so smart and such a good fisherman! I know you have good things in store for you… but hopefully no more j*** t**e. It's like a puzzle. Haha because I can’t cover my mouth and say it like your parents did on parent night. Love you.
Amanda Rahman- Oh Amanda. You are always the calm and collected one... well when you aren't whipping girls to the ground on the soccer field when the ref isn't looking. I still can't believe you did that haha so unexpected but I'm sure she deserved it. You are such a good soccer player and I have loved playing with you these past 4 seasons. Luckily when season is over we will still have plenty of time to bond working on spot at the basketball game. Can't wait to hear what kind of excuses people have this year of why they shouldn't have to pay to get it. Haha. Love you.
Kelsey Schneider- A fellow Kelsey. Specifically Kelsey3. I am so lucky to have been surrounded by Kelsey’s during my time here at SMU haha. I think my mom might love you as much as she loves me. I was so glad you were able to come to Thanksgiving with me and run/dodge the 5K. You are such an amazing soccer player with sick dangles. You seriously get me every time. We have had so much fun together; I can't believe it's almost over. It makes me sad. But I am lucky to have had you to play with me in the middle this year. You will always be on my right :) on the field and in every huddle. Also I don't know if you've noticed but I also always run behind you in warm-ups before every game. Love that and Love you.
Ellie Bradford- Oh Elleanor. Bellie.Elliephant. I don't even know where to start with yours. We have had so many memories. Honestly like a million. I know you'll probably mention how we didn't exactly hit it off when we first met but that doesn’t matter. The bugs in Vlazny drove you to share my room with me and we became best friends. I could honestly leave piles of clothes up to the ceiling and you would never get mad at me. Remember that one time you passed out on the couch in your underwear? I remember that. Haha- because I took a picture. You are the ice cream queen and I will never look at a gross box of plain cereal without thinking of you. Seriously- that stuff is garbage. You are very good about sharing your stuff with me, and you force me to share mine with you. Haha my family has definitely adopted you and loves partying with you. I am sometimes nervous my mom likes you more than me. I will definitely have to venture out to the cheese country and see you sometime. P.S. “I'm going to shoot you, it's a line from a movie”... Honestly the canoe trip was the best (besides the last 3 hours) and the snowy camping trip was the worst. Thankfully you were there of I wouldn’t have survived. I have loved playing soccer with you and I hope your knee heals. Love you!
Rachel Gates-Vickery- January 19th1990!!!! Don't wear it out. We've honestly been friends since day 1at SMU and there's not many other people I can say that about. You are my idol Rach. You are the most giving, amazing person and player. You are hilarious- honestly you don't even have to tell your talking muffin joke to make me laugh, I honestly can laugh just from seeing you laugh. You can lighten any mood and kill any “mean” girls on the soccer field. I was going to say a different word to describe the other girls but I don't think we are allowed to say words like that in these senior salutes. Can you honestly believe we are seniors? It seems like yesterday we were running miles to the park to get to practice and playing our home games at WSU. I cannot wait to see what the future brings for you, probably dinosaur bones or something. I honestly thought you were kidding the first time you told me you were into that stuff. Aw Rach I am going to miss you! You are one of a kind. And obviously the best defender- and everyone know all the good defenders have no idea what “Organized Confusion” is. We WILL stay in touch. P.S. 86 days till our- you know what, and it starts with birth and ends with day. Love you.
Ashley Gernes- Kashley. My other half and on some days we are just one (the days coach decides to call me Ashley). I don’t know how we are so in sync. Whether it be us walking out of our places at the same time, wearing the same outfit, eating the same candy, wearing each other’s uniforms, wearing each other’s practice gear, we manage to do it all. Day one of soccer in the ice bath is another example of our perfect timing, just me and you in the ice bath talking about how we drive silver jeeps and how we like to have a good time. You make me laugh, and you laugh at my dumb humor. I know I’ve rubbed off on you a little because now you make weird obnoxious noises just like me. Whether we are living together, dressing up as matching tennis players, or going out in the big cities, we always have a blast. Oh and you are definitely my favorite person to tattoo. You are a one of a kind person and friend; I mean how many other people say “minge” instead of “mine”! Haha- not many. It’s funny to think that 4 years ago we were just starting our career here (neither of us as defensive players) and now it’s all coming to a close. I’m sad- but I know no matter what we will stay best friends long into the future. I mean you let me yell at you and I let you sleep on me during long bus rides, we are the perfect pair. Let’s live together after college, ok? Great. Oh and you are more than welcome to come to Elk River, from your house in Elkmo, and do what we do best. But this time let’s not wake up in a bunk bed without our belts, teeth, phone, lives etc. Haha. Great times. You are the Kash to my Lee. Love you!
Best Friends:
Bailey Edwards- Oh man where to begin. Whether I am picking you up from you falling down (or off the top bunk), or you are picking me up off the front step (my birthday), we are always there for each other. Literally ALWAYS there for each other, we are inseparable no matter what the conditions. I could accidently lose everything but I know at the end of the day/night/morning you will be by my side. You are my Snooki and I’m your Jenny. You’re my UV pink and I’m your Bud Light Lime. You are my cat lover and I’m your dog lover. We laugh so hard together all the time- my best times here at Saint Mary’s has been with you. Even last night for example, just looking at that beyond brutal picture made us laugh together until we cried. I will never forget the time you tried venison, I appreciated that! And I will try “cat” sometime in the future just to be fair to you. I have learned so much from you and I know you’ve learned things from me, like how to use a can opener and how to boil water ? you are such a great person and an even better best friend. Since our freshmen years in Vlazny, to sophomore year in the substance free floor of Hillside (which was obviously the best place for you to throw a pong party), to the old village for the past two years. Living with you has been the best and I know you love it even though I might take your coffee mug without asking, or use your favorite snoopy cup. I also have embraced your obsession with Justin Beiber and you have embraced my family every time they came to hang out with us. We don’t just have good times at SMU but we also have some great memories at St. Cloud and Mankato. I was so glad you were able to come visit me this summer and I will be returning the favor next summer. Although after college we may not be together on Halloween, or raging at the Towny Tour, I know we will always be best friends. I will be in your wedding, and I know you will get the biggest rock ever for an engagement ring. You make me laugh and I know you cannot wait for soccer to be over so we can be inseparable again. Thanks for the best 4 years of my life. Love you!
Jessica Gutterman- Oh roomie. Shout out. Done. Haha just kidding. Thanks for letting me always be on bottom these last 2 years…in our bunk beds. You put up with a lot from me; messy room, talking/yelling in my sleep, being obnoxious when you’re trying to sleep, and I’m sure many other things you could list. You are the rock in our house that keeps things normal- when you aren’t “dying” that is. I think my favorite and least favorite line from you is “I’m never drinking ever again”, it’s my favorite because I know that’s such a joke but my least favorite because we always say it! Haha. You are so much fun and the best roomie I could ask for. If you ever got in a fight, I would be the first one standing behind you to throw that punch that you apparently wouldn’t throw. I am so thankful you came back to St. Mary’s and I know we will be friends long after St. Mary’s. You are truly one of the nicest and most giving people I have ever met and I know you have such a bright future. Oh… your future better include a lot more Halloweens with me, many some pedal pubs and zombie crawls in the cities. Love you!
Emily DeWitt- Oh Emily- you are my very addictive friend (Friends, One Tree Hill, carrots). We have so much in common, like our favorite professor ;) and we know how to have fun together. Sometimes fun for us means me convincing you that sitting in the rain outside Schydes might not be the best idea. You are our sexy librarian roommate with the best vision Haha. I am so excited to watch your senior year of basketball. I will be working the door again, and hopefully now your mom remembers who I am. You are such an amazing person and athlete. You are even great at trying to escape your room underdressed when we are trying to hold you back. I can’t wait for some Sunday Fun day’s this year with you posting inappropriate statuses about people. I mean sorry you speak the truth. I love that you don’t live that far away so I know I will be seeing you after college too. Let’s make this year the best one yet. Love you!
Alex Braun- El Cap-e-tain! Sorry I really didn’t know how to spell that. You are my idol. We have so much in common- we both love tootsie rolls (Haha), taco dip, your bed, my bed, oh and of course we both love the 4th of July. Being able to spend Christmas and the 4th at your house is honestly the highlight to my year, every year. I love your family, your dog (ironically named Bailey), your hair (when it’s brown), and pretty much everything about you. Our lunch dates are impossible to beat, except when we accidentally sit at the wrong table and then can’t get into the juicy details of our story or my story. You are the girl I can count on to host chip day, motivate me to do my school work, or just hangout and watch dumb shows- like cops. You have taught me a lot, like that sometimes doing things you shouldn’t do in public just happens. I think my favorite thing about you is that you’re a Braun! Being in psych class with 3 Brown/Braun’s sitting in a row might be considered the dream team of students. Oh and I’m sorry about that one time I didn’t study for the exam and accidently beat your score, but I mean common, that was one time. I got lucky. I am also lucky to be able to say you have turned into a best friend for me here at SMU. I cannot wait to finish out our senior year together. I will be the girl in the stands at your hockey game yelling vulgar things, or maybe just whispering “I vas vatching you from your vindow”. I also know after the game we will make the best “schlaggendogs”. It’s not our fault that everyone doesn’t speak our language. I should also say thanks for introducing me to Darwin Day (note it’s not Darwin Days) and for not losing me at Wefest. Being VIP with you was great, until we got kicked out, then pretended to be dancing with some people and got kicked out again. Honestly you make me laugh so hard, and sometimes I don’t even know why. You are my most dependable, most responsible, most motherly like, friend and honestly the one of most genuine persons I have ever met. I know we are going to be friends forever. Oh and we are so living together after college- which also includes me possibly living with you all summer. Love you!
Lerin! (Liz Flynn and Erin Regan)- Sorry I just had to combine you two.
Erin I will never forget how you took up the whole bed at the 4th of July, or all those mean things you said about Jessica. Sorry I just had to tell her that you thought she was a “nobody”. But in all reality you are the nicest, sweetest, most innocent person and I am so sorry that you are always the victim that loses sleep because everyone has a dance party at your place on weekends. You and Liz have a bright future together ;) Lerin for Life. I remember meeting you and Liz freshmen year and all the times we had together in Watters. I also will never forget playing “higher or lower” with cards at the soccer girl’s house and honestly Erin, you messed it up every time and it was hilarious. Love you. Liz- you are so funny. You are amazing at diving, like seriously amazing. I know your science filled future with Adam is just going to be great. I honestly love having chip day with you, and looking at pics from when you used to be chubby. Seriously those pictures are hilarious. I was so happy you came to visit me this summer in the cities, even though you cooked my roommate’s eggs haha. I know we are going to hang out after college, if you don’t move too far away! Love you.
John Lamorgese- Oh man we have our ups and downs, but you are still my best guy friend. Whether you’re yelling at me or I’m yelling at you, it all ends up working out. I honestly had so much fun this summer getting drunk with your family and friends, and I honestly want to steal your cotton-ball look-a-like dog. So cute. You are the one person who knows how to make me so mad (sending me texts saying I’m not a real fan), but I know your just kidding and I understand because I’m not that sensitive (unlike someone else). I will always be the supervision between you and Bailey, especially when you play the “throw each other’s phone” game. I know you will be going to plenty of Eric Church concerts in the future so I should probably just start coming with. I mean, I want to be in some music videos too! Haha. Love ya.
Makayla Frericks- To my best friend from the beginning, honestly, I cannot believe we didn’t go to college together. Props to us for making the effort to go visit each other every year for the past 4 years. I’m not sure if you will ever read this but there was just no way that I could leave you out of my senior salute. You are my best friend and the one person I can count on. You are either my chick or peep (I can never remember) and the one person I always have fun with. We are always there to try to talk sense into each other. There is no way I could list all the memories we have together because we have been making them since 7th grade. Honestly, I see our future being next door neighbors, raising our kids together, possibly even trying to force them to get married. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your future husband on TownyTour this year. You are my girl and I love you so so much. Love you.
To everyone I may have forgotten at the moment, I hope you know I love and appreciate you all. I am so grateful for my 4 years on the SMU women’s team. They are shaped me into who I am today.
Peace and Love.
KB |
