GRANGER’S different sport teams take pride in their programs, the reason being that those players worked hard to be part of their respective programs. That leaves the rest of Granger’s students as spectators, but we only see what goes on during the same. However, players and coaches see the programs in a whole different light.

“We see ourselves more as brothers, and this is our second family. Before every game we come together and just remind each other to have fun. Obviously the goal is to win, but we also have to be like in this brotherhood. We go play to forget whatever is happening personally, and we focus on the game.” Maximus Gutierrez (9) said of his experience with the soccer team.

Some players have the experience of playing for many years under their belt. They have also seen the program change drastically with changes of staff and those coaches’ new styles of practice and playing. Either way, the importance of staying close and staying focused remains the same.

“There’s much more to soccer than just working hard on the field. It’s also creating chemistry with the team outside of the field. We don’t just play soccer either, we have to be role models at school by working hard in class and getting good grades. I do my part but soccer is a team game so it falls on all of us to work hard. For anyone wanting to be a part of this program they have to always bring that A-game, and as Bewar says, ‘stay hungry’,” Jair Pena (12) said.

Many are led to believe that if coaches win, the more money they get and the more influence they have here at the school. The coaches here would say that those rumours are completely wrong and that they coach for something much more pure than money and fame.

“I don’t have incentives from the administration. The only incentives I have are the goals that the team and I put together each year to accomplish. Of course I have my personal pride. I want to win and make a successful program, but I also care about the personal growth of the players on and off the field. We have good one on one time and I do care about what these students do on and off the field and I am glad that they care about each other personally as well,” Coach Jaramillo said.

As years pass with the same coach in charge of a program, that coach begins to build a reputation around the school. This phenomenon has already begun with the likes of Coach Bewar, with students saying he has an aggressive style of coaching. These statements don’t seem to bother Coach Bewar, as he pushes to get the best out of his players.

“The goal is to make a great program. Coaches can be awarded for the work they do with a program by other organizations, but really we do it for the pride of the school and to have that silverware. If I notice that a player is struggling I advise them on the options they could take to work it out, but most of the help comes from the players helping each other for sure. I use all the tools I have to also help these kids on their future and see them playing at a higher level. I want these kids to bring that winning culture to Granger and see how good it feels,” Coach Bewar said.

When the term ‘team’ is heard, most would be right to assume that it is referring to sports. But a team here at Granger that possibly deserves as much recognition as any other sport team is the student government. From staying late to being the face of the school, the student government can be intimidating to join but for Natalia Acevedo (10) this is just part of the great team.

“I think that managing your time between homework, when to stay after, and personal things is the hard part to do. I spend a lot of time with the others outside of the school and that really helps us get to know each other, so when we need help we can depend on each other. We share a lot of the work so that one person isn’t really stressed. The best part has to be getting to know each other especially at the summer camp, that is where we truly bond and get to know one another,” Acevedo said.

Most of these teams value the importance of togetherness more than anything. By the looks of it, the players are glad to comply and come together to make something memorable. Maybe Granger’s teams can instead be called Granger’s families.