Horizon Honors is a school full of diversity. The range of talents and interests is immeasurable from playing an instrument to playing Super Smash Bros, from skateboarding to singing, pre-med to travel club. The Horizon Sun has decided to shine some light on a group of students whose particular interests lie with sports, particularly the seniors entering the world of college. The following students were all members of Horizon Honors varsity teams for their respective sports.

Zach Baker
Sport: Soccer, Volleyball
Will attend: California Lutheran University; D3
Play in college: Will play soccer on the official school team and intramural volleyball
“I’m excited for the opportunity to go to California and play soccer but nervous about getting injured or not playing well and getting no playing time.”

Zach Bledsoe-Downes
Sport: Baseball
Will attend: University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; D2
Play in college: Will play on a club team
“Playing sports has taught me how to work in a group, deal with disputes, and learn how to lead in multiple ways.”

Savannah Cunningham
Sport: Soccer, Volleyball, Track and Field
Will attend: Arizona State University with the Marine-Option NROTC; D1
Play in college: Will play intramural sports
“Playing sports in high school has undoubtedly shaped me as a person, as an athlete, and as a leader. I am extremely competitive and you bet your butt I will work mine off to be the best I can be in all aspects of life. I can thank athletics, past coaches, and teammates for that go-getter motivated mentality.”

Shawn Dixon
Sport: Soccer
Will attend: Yavapai Community College
Play in college: Will play pick-up games and friendly challenges
“[Playing soccer] has helped me to learn great team working skills, and also taught me the value of friendship, and also the value of hard work and how it all eventually pays off in the end.”

Jonathan Elias
Sport: Basketball, Boxing
Will attend: Mesa Community College
Play in college: Will play in boxing tournaments and pick-up basketball games
“Being on the high school basketball team taught me how to inspire the people around me through using hard work and dedication as a motivational influence to those around me.”

Andy Hanke
Sport: Baseball
Will attend: Grand Canyon University; D1
Play in college: Won’t be playing
“I’m slightly nervous, and excited [for college].”

Kyle Hickie
Sport: Soccer, Volleyball
Will attend: Arizona State University; D1
Play in college: Will play on intramural teams
“Being on the sports teams has prepared me for the future by teaching me how to be a leader and lead by example.  It has also showed me that hard work truly does pay off in the long run.”

Sarah Ivan
Sport: Soccer
Will attend: Arizona State University; D1
Play in college: Will play on intramural teams
“[Being on the high school sports team] has taught me how to keep every aspect of my life balanced with all the school work, friends, work, and soccer.”

Charles Jamison
Sport: Basketball, Volleyball
Will attend: Grand Canyon University; D1
Play in college: Wants to continue with basketball but does not plan on being on the school team
“I feel like sports helped me in general by helping me with teamwork and responsibility outside of the gym.”

Garrett Leake
Sport: Baseball, Cross Country
Will attend: Arizona State University; D1
Play in college: Will play on intramural teams
“One of the biggest ways high school sports have helped me is they helped me be social and little more outgoing. It takes some confidence to come to a sports try out and meet all new people; but it is totally worth it.”

Patrick McPherson
Sport: Cross Country, Basketball, Volleyball
Will attend: Maryville University in St. Louis; D2
Play in college: Will play on intramural teams
“[Playing sports] helped me realize that I can still work with anyone even if I don’t agree with them.”

Emily Puruker
Sport: Basketball
Will attend: Grand Canyon University; D1
Play in college: Won’t play in college
“[Playing basketball in high school] gave me confidence.”

Tony Salatino
Sport: Soccer, Volleyball
Will attend: Seattle University; D1
Play in college: Will play on intramural soccer and volleyball teams
“Being on high school sports teams taught me how to work well with others.”

Cristiana Shand
Sport: Basketball
Will attend: Grand Canyon University,D1
Play in college: Won’t play in college
“[Playing basketball] helped me by time management, working together as a team, and learning to count on others.”

Cassidy Stewart
Sport: Softball
Will attend: Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Play in college: Wants to come back to Horizon to help the coaches with the teams
“Being on any team in general forces you to work together and cohesively, no matter if you have problems with someone – you’ve gotta come together to get work done. This can be applied to sports, projects, and jobs!”

Nick Valadez
Sport: Soccer
Will attend: Arizona State University; D1
Play in college: The school team, intramural, pick up games, and even a club team are all possibilities.
“Playing on a sports team has taught me a lot of life skills, how to work with others, and be my best.”

Hannah Webster
Sport: Basketball
Will attend: Northern Arizona University; D1
Play in college: Is not sure yet
“[Basketball] has made me good at following directions and getting places on time. It was also a good lesson on how it’s important to know/be related to people in charge because it can get you a lot farther than you would’ve been able to get on your own.”

Timberlyne Ziuraitis
Sport: Volleyball
Will attend: Arizona State University; D1
Play in college: Probably won’t play
“Being on the volleyball team has prepared me for college by teaching me how to be a leader and a team player.”