STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Freshman Spotlight: Madison McGuire
By Evelyn Munoz
By Evelyn Munoz
Madison Mcguire is an avid runner. She is a member on Eastwoods Cross Country team. She has been in high school for five months, and has already made a big splash.
Eastwood’s Cross Country team has always been outstanding. Being top 3 in almost every single meet, the sport takes hours of practice in order to unlock such talent. With the help of Mcguire, the team is unstoppable.
She took first place in freshman districts and is now running for junior varsity. For this being her first year in running, she’s doing a phenomenal job and is already predicted to be one of Eastwood’s best runners in the future. “I really liked my first cross country season. It was overall a really fun time, I made lots of memories and made so many amazing friendships during the season. And because I really enjoyed the season, I think I’m going to stick with it for the next upcoming years,” Mcguire said. With her graceful strides, Mcguire makes running look so effortless.
On November 17th, Madison along with the cross country team traveled to Houston, Texas, to participate in the upcoming Nike race. “Honestly at first I felt very nervous to run the Nike race. It was fun to race, it was a bit difficult thought because it had been raining the whole time,” Mcguire said.
McGuire has accomplished so much in her life, with running just being a small segment of it. Running seems like such a simple sport when in reality it requires so much dedication and hard work, something that Mcguire has given. She is the missing puzzle piece to the powerful cross country team she is so proud to be in. It is only her freshman year, and she has already begun building what seems to look like a lasting legacy.
Eastwood’s Cross Country team has always been outstanding. Being top 3 in almost every single meet, the sport takes hours of practice in order to unlock such talent. With the help of Mcguire, the team is unstoppable.
She took first place in freshman districts and is now running for junior varsity. For this being her first year in running, she’s doing a phenomenal job and is already predicted to be one of Eastwood’s best runners in the future. “I really liked my first cross country season. It was overall a really fun time, I made lots of memories and made so many amazing friendships during the season. And because I really enjoyed the season, I think I’m going to stick with it for the next upcoming years,” Mcguire said. With her graceful strides, Mcguire makes running look so effortless.
On November 17th, Madison along with the cross country team traveled to Houston, Texas, to participate in the upcoming Nike race. “Honestly at first I felt very nervous to run the Nike race. It was fun to race, it was a bit difficult thought because it had been raining the whole time,” Mcguire said.
McGuire has accomplished so much in her life, with running just being a small segment of it. Running seems like such a simple sport when in reality it requires so much dedication and hard work, something that Mcguire has given. She is the missing puzzle piece to the powerful cross country team she is so proud to be in. It is only her freshman year, and she has already begun building what seems to look like a lasting legacy.
Sophomore Spotlight: Christian Melendez
By Evelyn Munoz
By Evelyn Munoz
Amongst the students at Eastwood, there is one particular student who has found his true calling. That student is the section leader of the front ensemble Eastwood marching band, Christian Melendez. He has dedicated his young life to doing what he loves most: playing music, but more specifically the drum set.
The very first time Melendez laid his hands on a drum set, he was eight years old. His older cousin, a percussion college major at the time, bought him a small drum set for Christmas. His cousin taught him everything he knew. Ever since then, he hasn’t put the drum set down. “Music is my life and it’s something I really enjoy doing,” said Melendez. “Whenever I have a stressful day, I just hop on the drum set. Drumming helps me express how I feel without using words.” During his childhood, he would listen to classic rock with his dad. Christian decided that he wanted to be just like the musicians he listened to and had admired all his life, which began his love for the drum set.
Ever since then, Melendez has put in hours of work. He regrets not taking drums as seriously as he should’ve when he was younger. “I think I would be way more advanced if I had taken the drums seriously instead of just a hobby,” said Melendez. “I want it to be my future.” He spends almost every day practicing his technique. Compared to last year, Christian was focusing his time on learning individual pieces of music, now he dedicates all his free time to working on his technique. Now, he’s able to play certain rhythms that he wasn’t able to do before.
Although Melendez has other hobbies such as basketball, cross country, and tennis; he’s glad he picked up the drum set. “Music is my life and I’d be nothing without it. Music is who I am,” said Christian. Not only is he is the marching band, but he’s also in his own band, The Hummingbirds. His band is very successful. They get gigs almost every weekend and get booked for various special events. Brands have also reached out to him for promotions.
“It’s never too early to start doing what you love. Work now relax later.” he said. Christian has worked so hard to get where he is and it's all worked out in his favor. Christian has already established himself as a drummer , and it will only go up from there.
The very first time Melendez laid his hands on a drum set, he was eight years old. His older cousin, a percussion college major at the time, bought him a small drum set for Christmas. His cousin taught him everything he knew. Ever since then, he hasn’t put the drum set down. “Music is my life and it’s something I really enjoy doing,” said Melendez. “Whenever I have a stressful day, I just hop on the drum set. Drumming helps me express how I feel without using words.” During his childhood, he would listen to classic rock with his dad. Christian decided that he wanted to be just like the musicians he listened to and had admired all his life, which began his love for the drum set.
Ever since then, Melendez has put in hours of work. He regrets not taking drums as seriously as he should’ve when he was younger. “I think I would be way more advanced if I had taken the drums seriously instead of just a hobby,” said Melendez. “I want it to be my future.” He spends almost every day practicing his technique. Compared to last year, Christian was focusing his time on learning individual pieces of music, now he dedicates all his free time to working on his technique. Now, he’s able to play certain rhythms that he wasn’t able to do before.
Although Melendez has other hobbies such as basketball, cross country, and tennis; he’s glad he picked up the drum set. “Music is my life and I’d be nothing without it. Music is who I am,” said Christian. Not only is he is the marching band, but he’s also in his own band, The Hummingbirds. His band is very successful. They get gigs almost every weekend and get booked for various special events. Brands have also reached out to him for promotions.
“It’s never too early to start doing what you love. Work now relax later.” he said. Christian has worked so hard to get where he is and it's all worked out in his favor. Christian has already established himself as a drummer , and it will only go up from there.