UNITY: Martin Luther King High School students set aside their rivalry to show support for Poly.
By Natalie Apostol, Staff Writer
Recently, Poly senior football player Josh Nava experienced a serious injury that led to his hospitalization. While he recovers, students across Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) are showing their support for the student athlete, including Poly’s cross-town rival: Martin Luther King High School. Members of the school’s student body placed signs in Poly’s student parking lot with kind words such as “King’s got your back” and “RUSD Strong.”
“We may be rivals on the field but we still respect Poly, especially in hard times like this where they need support,” Emily Loeun (11), a member of King’s Associated Student Body (ASB), said.
Sporting events like football games may sometimes unleash fierce energy and competitive spirit among students, but how students cope with and respond to hardships can show good character from both schools.
“It’s awesome to see King students take the time to show their support for Josh,” Kailey Waring (12), member of Poly’s ASB, stated. “It really means a lot to Poly,” Waring continued.
RUSD centers around all students maintaining unity and representing the city of Riverside in a respectful way. Students should remember to leave the booing and chanting for the stands but to act respectfully when necessary. High school will soon become a memory, and it is up to each student to make it a pleasant one.
King may be Poly’s top opponent in athletics and academics, but both schools equally respect and support one another in times of need. Both schools coming together as a family truly showcases what it means to be “RUSD Strong.”