Laine Yeager
Senior
Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Williams
My Sport/ Instrument/ Activity: Tennis and Lacrosse
Dream College: University of Alabama
Hobby: Baking
My Top 5 Favorite Movies:
- Enola Holmes
- Elf
- The Week Of
- Life As We Know It
- Leap Year
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I absolutely love to ski. I would ski all year round if I could. It is definitely one of my favorite things ever to do. I started skiing when I was 4 years old because all three of my older brothers did it and I wanted to be just like them. When I was first learning how to ski I had to be put in ski school, which was the worst thing ever in my eyes at 4 years old. I cried the whole time, all the way up the ski lift and all the way down the mountain, I even cried when we had hot chocolate breaks in the lodge. But as I got older and improved my skiing skills, I didn’t have to go to ski school, and I was good enough to ski with my brothers and my dad.
Describe one of the defining moments in your life
The most defining moment in my life has been my decision to go to Poly. I moved back to Riverside after moving away for 4 years and I decided to go to high school here and come back to all my friends and family. I would say this has been one of the best decisions of my life, because I have thrived here. I have met some of the best people at this school. These are people who I trust and want to be around for the rest of my life. It was so hard during the summer before freshman year making the big decision to come back and leave all my new friends behind, but I knew that my real friends were here at poly.
What is your most cherished memory?
My most cherished memory is the day my parents got my siblings and I our first puppy. It was Christmas Eve when I was 6 years old and I remember it like it was yesterday. I was at my Grammy’s house with my entire extended family, we were opening gifts and enjoying the evening. I went back to the playroom with my two cousins who are around my age to carefully track Santa and make sure we were home before he came to our houses. Fortunately, Santa was still in Brazil so we knew we had lots of time to stay at Grammy’s house. When we finally went back out the living room, everyone was surrounding an adorable little brown and white puppy. I shrieked and asked if I could hold him then my dad said, “you can hold him all you want, he’s yours.” It was one of the happiest nights of my life, and I will remember it forever.
Describe a time you felt your happiest.
It may seem odd, but one time when I felt my happiest was during COVID when we were locked down at home. This was the first time in a while that all my brothers were home for a long time. After they had all gone to college, I had been home alone with just my parents for a year, which was pretty boring. But, because everyone had to be home, it felt like I was young again when the house was never quiet and I always had someone to talk to. It truly was a very happy time in my life and I felt closer than ever with my family.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
My biggest role model is my dad. I have so much love and respect for my dad because of how much he does for my family. My dad has worked so hard to make life comfortable for my mom and my siblings and I. He never complains about working hard to provide for us and he makes time for each of my brothers and I. I strongly believe that having such an amazing father in my life has taught me how I should be treated. I see how my dad treats my mom and it raises my standards of how I should be treated. He has also taught my brothers to be gentlemen since I can remember. I know he will always be there for me whenever I need him.
Luke Metzger
12th Grade
Favorite Teacher: Senora Soliman
My Sport/ Instrument/ Activity: Fire Explorers
Dream College/ Career: Cal State Fullerton, Firefighter
Hobby: snowboarding, Fire Explorers, watching movies
My Top 5 Favorite Movies:
- Dark Knight
- Forest Gump
- Full Metal Jacket
- Breakfast Club
- Tommy Boy
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I love Star Wars. Anakin Skywalker is my favorite character because I enjoy watching his rise to the dark side as he destroys everything in his path. My entire family loves Star Wars too, which makes it enjoyable to watch with my family.
Describe one of the defining moments in your life
A defining moment in my life was getting baptized by my grandfather at the age of 10 on June 15, 2015 in Woodstock, GA. It was memorable because I knew it was a big decision. Additionally, my entire family was there to celebrate with me. I felt an enormous amount of love on this day. My relationship with God will always be something I cherish and cling to throughout my life.
What is your most cherished memory?
I have many cherished memories with my mom and dad at Disneyland. As a kid, it was always a special place for me growing up. I cherish these times with my family because it is where we spent a lot of quality time together away from the pressures of school and sports. I have fond memories of late night Disney trips, eating beignets and churros, joking around with each other while waiting in lines, ride competitions, and just being together. My favorite rides are Guardians of the Galaxy, Incredicoaster, Midway Mania, and Space Mountain.
Describe a time you felt your happiest.
Growing up, I played all kinds of sports. I ended up playing basketball, flag football, golf, and baseball the most throughout my childhood. I always loved sports and enjoyed an active lifestyle. After COVID, sports changed, and I changed. The year of virtual school was incredibly hard for me. Returning to school, I joined the football team at poly and was immediately surrounded by people that cared so much about me. It was exactly what I needed. Coach Rice and Coach Telemaque welcomed me, they made me feel like family and helped me find my purpose again. They encouraged me to be better and took an interest in my well-being. I remember the day I made varsity as being incredibly happy. I was so happy to be a part of a great program and enjoying playing sports again.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
My biggest role model is my grandfather, Douglas Metzger. I admire him because of his lifelong devotion to serving as a preacher and his hard work as a young man. My pop worked incredibly hard and attended the Naval Academy. Later, he was saved and became a Baptist minister. I look up to him because he encourages me and speaks truth into my life even in difficult times. He has battled cancer for many years with a positive attitude, always praising God for each day.
Senior
Favorite Teacher: Mr. Bailey
My Sport/ Instrument/ Activity: Softball
Dream College: Arizona Christian University
Hobby: Listening to music
My Top 5 Favorite Movies:
- The Sandlot
- UP
- The Grinch
- Home Alone 2
- The Blind Side
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I have a fear of needles & heights, but I want more piercings and I love roller coasters. I currently have had six piercings and am planning my seventh and eighth piercings. My favorite roller coaster so far is Silver Bullet at Knott’s Berry Farm. I am working the nerve up to ride Xcellerator, but do everything I can to stay away from ferris wheels.
Describe one of the defining moments in your life
A defining moment in my life was when I saw all of my hard work pay off. I was blessed to receive a scholarship to play softball at Arizona Christian University, followed by my acceptance letter to attend. The best part was when I signed my offer letter surrounded by family and friends. I have worked very hard on the field & off; my family has sacrificed so much for me to have this opportunity. By signing, not only did I achieve my goal, but so did my family. They have supported me through the whole process. Arizona Christian has already begun to provide me with a supportive environment for me to grow as a person and a student.
What is your most cherished memory?
My most cherished memory is 8u All-Stars State Tournament. My team had advanced to State after playing all summer long. As part of the tournament, there was also a parade, and all of my team members and I made costumes. There were teams from 8u to 14u from all over California. It was so exciting to hear all the cheering from other teams and parents when we walked through the field. All the excitement and fun made me decide early on that I wanted to play softball at a competitive level.
Describe a time you felt your happiest.
I have been very blessed to have multiple happy moments. So far, my happiest moment has been when the softball coach from Arizona Christian came to watch me play in Colorado this past summer. After I had finished playing for the day, Coach Mayben sat down to talk with my family and I, and it was at this time he presented me with my verbal offer to attend my dream school.
Who is your biggest role model, and why?
My mom is my biggest role model. My mom inspires me to be the best version of myself. Through my highs and lows, my mom has been there to cheer me on & push me. My mom is the type of woman who gets things done. My mom is a strong independent woman that has allowed me to work through life to learn all the lessons I can. She stays close enough to help me through the most challenging times and stands to the side with a smile watching as I celebrate my accomplishments. Even when things get hard, my mom has taught me not to depend on someone else for my happiness and whenever I fall, I pick myself up, dust myself off, learn the lesson and go after my goals. There isn’t a person that can replace my mom, she pushes me a lot, and does so hard, but I know it is because she wants me to succeed in life and live my happiest life.